Dan Gurney Tribute by Allen R. Kuhn

Santa Barbara on September 2, 1956. Dan and his E Production Porsche Speedster was put in a race with Bill Murphy’s BM Kurtis Buick, Max Balchowsky in the original Morgensen Special (pictured here in front of the Porsche), Fred Woodward’s CM Jag Special CM, DP 300SL Gullwings, CP Jaguars, all against little EP #89 our man Dan in the Speedster. They must have known he was special even then.

The only time Dan Gurney raced a Corvette was this one owned by Cal Bailey and the race was at Riverside on September 22, 1957. I have been told by the Corvette Forum that these are the only known pictures, taken by a professional, that exist.

This drive was one of the stepping stones that led him to the gas pedal of a Ferrari.

After dominating the two production car races that weekend, they let him in to challenge the Big Dogs. He would hold his own against Chuck Daigh’s Troutman-Barns Special at Turn 6 and would finish in 6th place behind some of the modified cars. Rare shots indeed.

Dan Gurney on the road to fame.

February 9, 1958 was the day I photographed Dan in the parking lot at Pomona, CA called the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds. He had secured a ride with the Frank Arciero Ferrari 375 plus. Super-fast in a straight line, but untamable in the corners until Dan got his hands on the steering wheel. In less than five months Dan would be sipping champagne on the European continent. Luigi Chinetti saw the potential in Dan and hired him to drive a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa in the ’58 Le Mans. Enzo Ferrari would hire him in 1959.

Ah, my beloved bridge at Pomona on February 9, 1958. It was always a thrill to stand by one railing, then look at the other railing waiting to find just the right car that will soon be in my tiny viewfinder. And Gurney in the Ferrari was just right.

These next three photographs were taken at Palm Springs on April 13, 1958. As you can plainly see, as Dan buckles his helmet, there was damage done to his front fender. In this row beside him is Chuck Howard in a Maserati 200S with Bob Bondurant in what I assume a hopped-up Triumph TR-2. Sticking his nose in is #11 John von Neumann Ferrari 625 TRC.

Here is the whole truth, nothing but the truth, about the front fender. I showed Dan some pictures at his office in Santa Ana and asked him who he jousted with to reconfigure the fender that way. His answer was not what I hoped for. He said something to the effect that when they were unloading the car it slipped off the ramp.

This was a historic event for Dan. He has just won the biggest race of his career, to this point, and gives me a big wave. Well, me and another photographer. He not only won the race, but he also defeated Carroll Shelby in doing so.

Frank Monise’s Lotus 11 is being chased by Dan rounding the ivy at Turn 3 in Pomona. This happened on March 8, 1959 at the First Annual (and only) Examiner International Grand Prix Road Races USAC Championship.

It seems that Dan was not too happy with his experience at Riverside on April 3, 1960 now in Balchowsky’s Ol’ Yaller II because he blew a gasket for a DNF. Lurking behind is what looks like the Porsche RS 60 of Ken Miles because the number looks like a 50.

The freight train through the Esses at Riverside during the April 3, 1960 event. Leader of the pack is #49 Bob Drake Maserati Typo 61 Birdcage, Dan Gurney Ol’ Yaller II, #98 Carroll Shelby Maserati Typo 61 Birdcage, #3 Jack Brabham Cooper Monaco .

The United States of America Formula One Grand Prix on November 20, 1960, at Riverside International Raceway. Here are: #2 Jack Brabham Cooper Climax, #16 Our Boy Dan BRM, and #5 Stirling Moss Lotus Climax. Stirling won the race; Dan was a DNF and Jack was second. Over the years I was able to get all three gentlemen to put their John Hancock on an 8X10 print.

This is an unusual spot for me to shoot from, outside of Riverside Turn 6 on October 14, 1962. #66 Jim Hall Chaparral 1 is leading Dan in Arciero Lotus 19 Climax. Hall had a great day finishing 2nd to Roger Penske’s F-I Zerex Special. Twiggy (you youngins wouldn’t know her, skinny English super-model in the ‘60s and actress) is the only person I can think of who could fit in his passenger seat. Dan’s day was not so great, as the throttle linkage failed.

Maintenance time. Clean windscreen, clean mind.

Dan getting advice from someone before the start.

Dan trying to hear what a strategist is saying to Bob Bondurant as Lew Spencer chats with a youngin.

Front Row starting on left: Bob Bondurant, Dan Gurney, and Lew Spencer.

Same guys. I’ll tell you a secret. After about the first 40-foot (12.192 meters) the guy in the middle, Dan Gurney, has about a 20-foot (6.096 meter) lead.

For me, life is good even through the Armco guard rails.

All by himself in a Cobra, life is good even when it hic-cups.

And the checkered flag goes to Dan Gurney. The finishers are: 1st Bob Bondurant, 2nd Allen Grant, 3rd Lew Spencer, and 4th Dan Gurney.

Dan with a good grip on his helmet does a smilefest with the lovely Lorrie Campble, Miss California Sports Car magazine Queen.

Dan and Jim Clark plot strategy for the upcoming 200-mile race at Riverside October 13, 1963. Dan in the Genie MK 8 and Clark in the Bob Challman Lotus 23 B Ford. Seems Clark’s strategy was a tad bit better than Dan’s… Clark finished 5th OA and 1st U2L. At left is the well known photographer Bob D’Olivo. I only know that from the name on his shirt. He worked for Petersen Publications from 1951 to 1996 in all facets of automobile photography. He even had interests in the first Corvette to beat the 300SL Gullwings at Palm Springs in ’56. Rest in piece Bob.

October 11, 1963. The lonesome rider traverses’ the twists and turns of the Esses of Riverside in the Alfred Momo, Briggs Cunningham entered Genie MK 8 Ford. Much to his dismay he again blows his gasket.

Los Angeles Times Grand Prix for Sports Cars was held on October 31, 1965. Gurney’s brakes on his McLaren Elva MK 1 Ford did him in. Alas, this race also did me in too as the last one I would attend. I would hang up my Canon and Rollie, put the negatives and color slides in mothballs, and store them in the garage not to be seen for the next 33 years. I also bought a Barracuda, married my beloved Carole, and lived happily ever after for 55 years anyway.

I’ll start with Dan and some of his friends at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on October of 2015. Around the table is a nice collection of Carroll Shelby, Phil Hill, and John Fitch. Beside Dan on the right side of the photo is Alex Gurney and on the left side of the photo is Derek Hill.

I am in the lower reaches of the Petersen called The Vault where many, many vehicles are stored. With me there are three well-known individuals, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, and Tony Brooks, November of 2011. I had them stand in this particular position to emulate the cover of a Road & Track magazine that I have. The three were in the Ferrari pits of a F-1 race standing in this same formation next to their cars. I found out that Mr. Brooks was visiting Mr. Hill, and they were coming to this event. With the magazine and a Sharpie in hand I was bound for three autographs. I got them.

I believe this one was honoring Carroll Shelby, same date as above. Starting on the left side of the photo are: Parnelli Jones, Bob Bondurant, Tony Brooks, Carroll Shelby, Phil Hill, and Dan Gurney.*

I went to Long Beach, CA in 2006 when I found out Dan and Phil were to be honored as the first recipient of the Motorsports Walk of Fame. Alma Hill and Evi Gurney were also in attendance.

Goodwood 2006, Dan gets ready to give Evi the ride of her life.