To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Arizona
event, 17 - 18 January 2019.
Estimate:
$30,000 - $40,000
- Historic Gurney Eagle with well-known provenance
- 9th overall at the 1982 Indianapolis 500, driven by Herm
Johnson
- Formerly of the Bob Pond and Thomas Mittler collections
Please note that this lot is offered on a Bill of Sale only.
Dan Gurney had a well-proven reputation at the Indianapolis 500,
his All American Racers (AAR) having won the famous race three
times in Eagle cars in 1968, 1973, and 1975. New rules in 1981
dictated that naturally aspirated Chevrolet and Cosworth engines
would have to replace the newly outlawed turbocharged powerplants
previously allowed.
This Chevrolet-powered example, chassis no. 8104, was purchased new
by John Menard, who campaigned it in the CART series beginning at
Watkins Glen in 1981, where it was driven by 1977 Formula Super-Vee
champion Herm Johnson. Johnson then raced it in Mexico City,
placing 8th, finishing the season by coming in 9th in Phoenix.
After racing again at Phoenix and Atlanta early in the 1982 season,
the Eagle's last professional competition would be at the 1982
Indianapolis 500, wearing #28. The car qualified at a speed of
195.929 mph and earned 14th placement on the grid for the start. By
the end of the race, Johnson had worked his way up to 9th.
In 1989, the car was purchased by Thomas Mittler, of South Bend,
Indiana, who lent the car to the Studebaker National Museum for
display during the 1990 Studebaker festival. During Mittler's
ownership, the car was kept on static display. By 1993, the car
became part of the Pond Collection and campaigned under the banner
of Bob Pond Racing. It was driven in the final round of the
American IndyCar Series at Willow Springs International Raceway by
former Shelby American employee and Nissan factory driver John
Morton. Morton finished 2nd overall on Saturday, and in the
subsequent race the following day, Morton placed 1st overall, in
what would be its final race under the Bob Pond Racing banner. It
was then acquired by the current owner from that esteemed
collection.
This well-pedigreed race car presents a unique opportunity to
acquire a piece of American racing history.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19.
