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_ima...t/AN643086.jpg

Verne

[Tenney]

Cool car!

[PeteLeathersac]

'

W[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img]WWWW......W-Power!!!
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif[/img]
~ Pete

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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 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[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 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[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 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[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 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[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 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]