The Dan Gurney 1961 Impala 409 race car

[Verne_Frantz]

In case some of you don't get Hemmings, here is the ad. This car is the real deal and one of only two '61s on the planet with it's original 409 engine. Let me know if you need more specifics or history. The owner will help with shipping arrangements. Reasonable offers considered.

http://images.hemmings.com/email_images/display_repeat/AN643086.jpg

Verne

[Tenney]

Cool car!

[PeteLeathersac]

'

W<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gifWWWW......W-Power!!!
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif
~ Pete

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http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-2506-47660-image.jpg
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[scuncio]

Wow. I would love to own this one.

[Verne_Frantz]

Feel free to tender an offer. When done, I feel this car should have a value in Z-11 territory. I feel that it is bargain priced now considering all of its original features. No clone, no deceptions. I've worked with the owner for years to help him validate everything.

Verne <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

Some details and history:

Hullo Verne
Thanks for the fantastic conversation, I forgot, when we were talking this morning about the sintered brakes, to tell you about the ventilated backing plates, front and rear.
The bracket for the front vent hose is still attached to the front swaybar mount on the wishbones. Pics attached here will show all this. The rear swaybar mount is 'agricultural', showing it is not factory.
Also here are some pics of under the dash where I said the firewall had been repaired when the car was converted.

I have good provenance authenticating the car by outlining its history since that historic race in Silverstone, England. This comes in the form of 2 letters—the first has been written by Laurie O’Neil, the Aussie race car driver who bought the car from Dan Gurney there in England, just after it raced, and had it shipped to Australia;
the second letter has been written by Dan Gurney himself, fully supporting all the information contained in Laurie O’Neil’s detailed letter.
Also, as I mentioned in my last email to you, I have, from the UK, official lap times, grid placements etc.

Right now I have a very good friend who is helping me add to the provenance I hold by verifying, through Aussie administrative channels, the Police Number the car was given at the time it was imported into Australia.

• VIN 11837L157805 is stamped on the chassis/door pillar.
• On the engine block is/was stamped 11837L15805 and an assigned Australian Police number: N620117P (N=NSW, 62=1962, 0117=117th, P=police)
• On the rear of the block is stamped K1660 GM 2, the casting # is illegible
• Yes, has all the glass
• Front and rear sway bars added by DG for racing
• The DG Sun electric tacho
List of known owners and dates:
• Dan Gurney
• Laurie O’Neil, May 1961- …….
• Laurie sold to ……..
• Ron Hodgson
• Greg Cusack
• ?
• Alan …..
• Michel Malik (3 years)


Verne <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[olredalert]

----How cool is that, Verne!!! A veritable and verifiable piece of history!!! Has the restoration done to date changed the steering back????........Bill S

[Verne_Frantz]

No, the entire firewall should be replaced from a LHD donor. Easier than it sounds because its one big piece, not patchwork. Same goes for the dashboard. IT comes out in one piece when you separate the tack welds. Sounds intimidating but its easier than replacing a 1/4 panel and doing it right. Also remember that this car is rust free, so you're working with metal, not rust or damage.

Verne <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

This car is still available and the price has been reduced to $115.K
This one of one rare piece of history deserves to be completed properly and added to a fine collection. It will never go down in value or appreciation.

Verne <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

When considering a musclecar purchase, please compare these attributes of this car to any other car that is available:
&gt; There were only 142 409s installed in 1961 Chevys
&gt; There are only TWO 1961 409 cars on the planet with their original engines. This one and the shop order car that was owned by Dale Armstrong
&gt; Original T-10 4-spd
&gt; Original posi rear
&gt; Original rust-free body panels
&gt; Mostly complete owner history with declarations
And on top of all of that, add the historical significance that it was owned and raced by Dan Gurney and still has the racing chassis modifications done by Bill Thomas prior to shipping to England.
Again, please compare those attributes to any other known musclecar and compare values.

Verne <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-1145-49217-dan_gurney_at_wheel.jpg

[Verne_Frantz]

Just to let everyone know, this car is being shipped back to the US after being away 55 years. It should arrive in about a month and will be under my care until a buyer can be found. Being in the US, it will be very easy for people to see it up close.

Verne

[Verne_Frantz]

Loaded yesterday (with all the parts) for the trip to the port. Expected delivery back in the USA is mid August. (slow boat I guess)
Verne
95610

[mockingbird812]

Very exciting news. All these years and finally back to the good ol' USA!!!

[DW31S]

Sounds cheap to me.

[Charley Lillard]

The Hemmings ad link is no good.

[Verne_Frantz]

Charley,
The Hemmings ad was months ago and has since expired. You can delete it from my post if you want, so it doesn't waste people's time. I can supply the full history of the car (as known to date) to anyone who is interested.
Once it reaches our shores again, Old Cars Weekly will be publishing an article about its homecoming.

Verne

[scuncio]

Verne, could you please PM me with the history?

Thanks
Tony

[Verne_Frantz]

PM sent in two parts because it's long.

Verne

[scuncio]

PM received.

[quik9r]

Charley,
The Hemmings ad was months ago and has since expired. You can delete it from my post if you want, so it doesn't waste people's time. I can supply the full history of the car (as known to date) to anyone who is interested.
Once it reaches our shores again, Old Cars Weekly will be publishing an article about its homecoming.

Verne

One piece bumper on that Car as well!! I love how clean they look

[mssl72]

Cool car!!

[John Brown]

One piece bumper on that Car as well!! I love how clean they look

The one piece bumper thing came about because California had different bumper strength requirements than most other states. I have also heard that they may have been required on some Canadian cars as well.

[Verne_Frantz]

One piece bumper on that Car as well!! I love how clean they look

Both the bumpers are the originals (one piece).

Verne

[quik9r]

The one piece bumper thing came about because California had different bumper strength requirements than most other states. I have also heard that they may have been required on some Canadian cars as well.

Any cars that we have come across in Canada with the one piece bumpers seem to have come from the West Coast. (BC) Not saying it is gospel but have seen and parted enough cars to observe.

[Tenney]

...

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Cool pic, thanks for posting it!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[earntaz]

Was Kyle Busch driving that -- he seems to have a problem keeping the wheels on his Japanese NASCAR ... TAZ

[92646]

There was a small article on this car in the October issue of Super Chevy.

[Verne_Frantz]

I no longer get it. LAST Oct, right?

Verne

[92646]

Verne,
It is this month's issue. October 2017 so it should be on the stands now.

[Verne_Frantz]

Gee, what a coincidence. A little over a month ago I sent them an email asking for contact info to photographers who might have more photos of the car for an article I was writing about it. I guess the idea just came to them out of the blue...........

From what I understand, the car might be delivered to me tomorrow.

Verne

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Has it arrived yet Verne?
Below pics from this July 06/17 SuperChevy link...
http://www.superchevy.com/features/1706-dan-gurney-goes-jaguar-hunting-in-1961-with-this-hot-409-powered-chevrolet-impala-ss/ (http://www.superchevy.com/features/1706-dan-gurney-goes-jaguar-hunting-in-1961-with-this-hot-409-powered-chevrolet-impala-ss/)

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Magazine article on eBoy...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1961-Chevy-Impala-409-Vintage-Article-Raced-by-Dan-Gurney-in-London-/301978591251 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1961-Chevy-Impala-409-Vintage-Article-Raced-by-Dan-Gurney-in-London-/301978591251)


:beers:
~ Pete


.

[Verne_Frantz]

Thanks Pete,
I have all those photos. The container has arrived and cleared customs. I expected delivery today but there's a hitch. Now they tell me the shipping line needs the original Bill of Lading (which I don't have) before they'll release it. I've contacted the shipper in Australia but it's 1am Tues there now. They should have let us know this requirement earlier. Lack of planning on their part should not create an emergency on our part!:thumbsdown:

Please look at the photo of the engine bay and notice the headers. I'm trying to figure out who's they were. Notice the round flange on the collector. Bill Thomas made headers then, so did Frank Sanders and Dougs. If anyone can recognize them, I'd appreciate it.

Verne

[Verne_Frantz]

The car will be delivered to me this Thurs (Aug 24th). Anyone who is interested is welcome to come see it anytime after that.

Thanks
Verne

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Pretty exciting stuff and sure wish I was closer to you Verne!
Looking forward to tomorrow's arrival also future updates on this car!
:beers:
~ Pete


.

[Verne_Frantz]

'

Pretty exciting stuff and sure wish I was closer to you Verne!
Looking forward to tomorrow's arrival also future updates on this car!
:beers:
~ Pete


.

Exciting for sure Pete. Also very nerve-wracking with delays and other arrangements. But the Gurney has landed and I can untie the knots in my stomach. It arrived perfectly unharmed. Back on US soil after 55 years:flag:

Verne
98967

[mockingbird812]

Congrats Verne - that's a BIG deal...."back on U.S. soil after 55 years..."!!!!!!

[Tenney]

Super-cool, Verne! Legendary car ...

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Too cool Verne and so great it landed unscathed.
Love how it still has a Don Steves plate frame, is the plate itself still w/ it too?
Tough to think if a more important W-car historically, amazing it's still around also finally back in the USA!
:beers:
~ Pete

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[BJCHEV396]

Congrats Verne!Looking forward to more pics!

[Verne_Frantz]

The original plates are MIA. Probably in Australia somewhere used to patch up a hole in someone's roof.:dunno:

I cleaned it up from shipping and unloaded about half of what was in the trunk. Lots of stuff there. The SUN tach that Dan used is there. (one wasn't ordered with the car new). I couldn't believe the condition of the original seats (NOT redone). The headliner is also just as nice.
99181

The original Nov '61 dated carb is still there. The heads on it are a '64 hi-perf pair that just came along for the ride to be sold separately. Legit '61 409 valve covers are there.

Resting in it's temporary NJ home. I put it up on jack stands so people can get underneath to look for rust (that isn't there anywhere)
99182

I'm saving other photos of its arrival for an article about its homecoming that I'm writing, so I don't want those made public now. Now that I've looked the car over closely in person, I think it's priced too low, but the price stands at what I posted.

Verne
PS: I've also had a local expert metal man look it over and he is willing to do the conversion back to LHD. I know his work and the result will be 100% perfect. I only mention that to ease some anxiety over the conversion that most restoration shops don't have the experience (or confidence) to do.

[Verne_Frantz]

FYI: This car has been sold. It's going back to England to the Goodwood Collection where it will be raced in their festival after restoration. The plan is for me to convert it back to LHD here before it goes.

Verne

[mockingbird812]

Well that is a good story. Have fun with the project Verne and thanks for keeping us posted on this special ride!!

[Tenney]

Cool it's getting another chapter - thanks for the update, Verne!

[Verne_Frantz]

The new owner is having another engine built for racing so the original engine can be preserved. The deal was dependent upon me finding a set of super rare '61 correct heads, which thankfully I was able to do. They were actually delivered to me from Ohio rather than risk shipping.

Verne

[Stefano]

Congrats Verne, such a Kool piece of History!

[Canuck]

Nice work ,Verne,very cool car!

[Verne_Frantz]

In case anyone's interested, the buyer just posted this story on the GoodWood site.

https://www.goodwood.com/grrc/race/historic/2018/3/buying-dan-gurneys-chevy-impala/?utm_source=The%20Goodwood%20Estate%20Company%20Lt d&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=9257312_MSI%20GRR%2009%2F03%2F18&utm_content=Impala&dm_i=1QLU,5IEZK,ARYNNF,LDJ7C,1

There may be updates as things progress.?

Verne

[Tenney]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyqrqhDkPVo

[Verne_Frantz]

https://www.goodwood.com/grrc/race/historic/2018/6/dan-gurney-impala-on-uk-soil-the-restoration-begins/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

[markjohnson]

Verne, check out the AM time of your last post!

[mockingbird812]

Way cool story.....continues!!

[Tenney]

In appreciative hands, it seems ...!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHO1rKobYms&feature=youtu.be

[SeattleCarGuy]

Very cool video. Thanks for sharing.

Is it also true that Dan Gurney lapped Riverside in this car setting a new track record, breaking one that had been previously set by a Corvette?

[Verne_Frantz]

Very cool video. Thanks for sharing.

Is it also true that Dan Gurney lapped Riverside in this car setting a new track record, breaking one that had been previously set by a Corvette?


Yes, Dan ran .8sec under Dave McDonald's Corvette lap record.


Verne

[Tenney]

At Goodwood w/Dario ...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BneOSwan3BU/?taken-by=dario_franchitti

https://www.instagram.com/p/BneOYU8nAIe/?taken-by=dario_franchitti

https://www.instagram.com/p/BneQfm2lgC5/?taken-by=dario_franchitti

[Tenney]

https://youtu.be/5P5PMO7hDao

[BJCHEV396]

Great video...thanks for sharing!Goodwood,one of the premiere auto events in the world!Dario looks good in his vintage Royal Air Force uniform!

[Tenney]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgWsG0qA03Q

[Fast67VelleN2O]

This is literally a fairy tale story on this car. I can't believe the car is going around Goodwood. That is awesome.

[Tenney]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_dg5PvAN3k

[Verne_Frantz]

Thanks for posting those two last videos Tenney. I think Ed is pretty thrilled to own it. In this last video, you can see the tach on the column. That's the exact tach Dan raced it with in '61 and mounted in the same location he had it. The car wasn't ordered with a Chevy tach.


Verne

[RPOLS3]

Thanks for sharing, what a cool story. Glad to see it returned to LH drive and someone enjoying it.

[Tenney]

In this last video, you can see the tach on the column. That's the exact tach Dan raced it with in '61 and mounted in the same location he had it. The car wasn't ordered with a Chevy tach.

Cool little piece of history, Verne - too cool it's still handy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4haN2RNFWo

[Tenney]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkwmeYx1xr4

[RPOLS3]

That is really well done - thanks for sharing. Hat's off to Verne as well for his involvement in preserving a piece of history.

[Verne_Frantz]

That video is definitely the best one yet. Ed told me he had to wear ear plugs on that ride. Just a little LOUD!


Verne


I got lucky. The donor car for the LHD conversion had a blue interior so the dash is still original paint. Other than the donor dash and a new carpet, the rest of the interior is all original as well. I'm glad he decided to let me do the conversion here before I shipped it over to him. The result is just like the Van Nuys plant did it in the first place.

[Tenney]

That video is definitely the best one yet. Ed told me he had to wear ear plugs on that ride. Just a little LOUD!


Verne


I got lucky. The donor car for the LHD conversion had a blue interior so the dash is still original paint. Other than the donor dash and a new carpet, the rest of the interior is all original as well. I'm glad he decided to let me do the conversion here before I shipped it over to him. The result is just like the Van Nuys plant did it in the first place.

Good thing he found the right Verne Frantz!

[dykstra]

Man does that car sound rowdy!! I love it!!

[Tenney]

...

[Tenney]

...

[Tenney]

https://www.motortrend.com/features/1961-dan-gurney-impala

[Tenney]

Now back w/the Gurney family (Verne would dig!!) ...

[olredalert]

----Was this iconic car actually raced in England? Love the bumper sticker!....Bill S

[RPOLS3]

----Was this iconic car actually raced in England? Love the bumper sticker!....Bill S

Yes - and again after the conversion back to left hand drive by Verne it went to Goodwood.....see below video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4haN2RNFWo

[Tenney]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFbG__CIDWM

[BJCHEV396]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFbG__CIDWM

Great video,thanks for sharing!!

[mprice]

This is one cool Chevrolet. Verne tried to sell it to me before restoration when he was representing it. In hind sight was probably a mistake that I didn't jump on it, but 61s have never been high on my popularity list. I see for some reason the 623 casting number has been ground off and stamped again, I have seen this before on 068 cast blocks for 62 it has always been my believe that General Motors did this when the casting numbers were defective. I doubt very much that Dan ran an alternator that we see on it today. Drip rail chrome is missing and close ups of the paint looks orange peeled. Never the less cool car with a great history that deserved a high quality restoration.

[Tenney]

Should be a good one ...!

https://mailchi.mp/laguna-seca/nearly-250-million-in-economic-impact-generated-from2022-major-events-held-at-weathertech-raceway-laguna-seca-2755564?e=94d590fb96&mc_cid=936da49975&mc_eid=c3dc6125e3