Dan Gurney for President

STG · #1 (**permalink**) 04-24-2002, 01:23 AM

Daytona Coupes were seen with "Dan Gurney for President" bumper stickers. Did any other driver "run" for elected offiice at the same time?

(BTW, You guys are too good at this trivia business.)

Stan

Club Counterfeit

snakeeyes · #2 (**permalink**) 04-24-2002, 07:30 AM

"Jim Clark for Prime Minister"!

Cal Metal · #3 (**permalink**) 04-24-2002, 08:02 AM

Juan Fangio for President of Argentina???

STG · #4 (**permalink**) 04-24-2002, 01:39 PM

James Clark "ran" for Prime Minister in 1964. Don't know about JMF. If he had run, he would have won!

Stan

Club Counterfeit

Robert Evans · #5 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 02:31 PM

Stan,
Good to talk with you Saturday, and if I had known that you were going to be there, I would have brought a "Gurney for President" stickers up for you. Next time we meet, I'll have one for you!

STG · #6 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 06:29 PM

Robert,

The photos tuned out quite well, even if I say so myself.

It will take a little while, as I like to spend time adjusting and cropping, but here are a couple:

The prints look really good.

Robert Evans · #7 (**permalink**) 04-29-2002, 10:22 PM

Stan,
Thanks for the pics...send all that you can. I appreciate you taking the time.

E-mail me with your address and I'll just send you one of the Gurney stickers. Every office needs at least one!

BTW, I was the only 289 FIA at Knott's, and I took second place in the 289 Cobra class. Figure that one out.

STG · #8 (**permalink**) 04-30-2002, 12:31 AM

Bob,

2nd Place? Better increase that magazine advertising budget!

Stan

Cal Metal · #9 (**permalink**) 04-30-2002, 08:29 PM

BTW, the "Gurney for President" idea originally came from the likes of Car & Driver Magazine in the mid 70s, I believe. His world wide popularity was the impetus behind C & D pushing the idea.

STG · #10 (**permalink**) 05-01-2002, 12:24 AM

Gurney for President wasn't the only "outside idea from C and D. Remember the "Canonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash?

427sharpe · #11 (**permalink**) 05-02-2002, 07:56 PM

STG: Have you ever read Brock Yate's book about the Cannonball?? VERY interesting reading...and entertaining , too! I especially like the part about Rick Kopec (SAAC primo) getting tossed in jail for impersonating an officer...he tried to flash a 'borrowed' badge to get out of a ticket in the hinterland...didn't go over too well...Yates talks a lot about his co-driver (a certain Daniel Sexton Gurney) and the difference between driver's who race and racing drivers. The only better description I can recall is from Levine in The Dust And The Glory, where Levine was driving 'flat out, really hanging it out' and Gurney just blew by him..and waved! On top of it all, Gurney seems like a he// of a guy--got to chat with him for a few moments at a SAAC convention.

STG · #12 (**permalink**) 05-03-2002, 12:54 AM

427sharpe,

Was that the title? I read Brock's book while in high school. It was the inspiration for my friend Mark and I taking his Triuimph TR250 out to Soledad Canyon Road off the Highway 14 between Los Angeles and Palmdale and setting what I still believe must be an all time speed record of 110 MPH for just over 17 miles.

We dreamed of entering the Cannonball with a rented car, but weren't old enough!

Soledad Canyon is a fairly twisty road and two doubters in school were taken out for a run on subsequent evenings. One guy I new never doubted how fast the TR250 was. That was one Kas Kastner. Formerly the head of racing for British Leyland in the USA, he told me that he had tested a TR250 at Daytona at over 130 MPH.

The book is also probably partially responsible for my friend buying a Ducati 996 a few months ago. He's topped it out at 164 MPH over a measured course.

Mark IV · #13 (**permalink**) 05-28-2002, 09:02 PM

........was the title and I'm in the book! A buddy, Rich Dilcher was a crew chief on the Agor Camaros so I helped out as a gofer/peon/whatever.

At the Glen Trans Am a friend of mine and myself "borrowed" two wipers and arms fron E type Jaguar that was parked outside the paddock area. Brock relates the story in the book. He does however fail to tell the true story of the Michigan Interenational Trans Am and his less than top flight driving at that event.

If anyone cares,I will relate the true tale of woe and plotting that transpired at the race.

I see Brock once in while as I travel to his town and restaurant on business.

Rick

STG · #14 (**permalink**) 05-29-2002, 12:09 AM

I'd love to hear about Brock's expertise behind the wheel.

Jamo · #15 (**permalink**) 05-30-2002, 09:57 PM

STG
Did you notice the Gurney for President stickers on the parts shelves when Bob and Gary took us down the line of Cobras and just before the Series 1 on the rack?

STG · #16 (**permalink**) 05-30-2002, 11:45 PM

Jamo,

No, I didn't see them. Guess I just have to settle for my free authentic, licensed Cobra t-shirt and cap.

Jamo · #17 (**permalink**) 06-01-2002, 11:39 PM

STG
They weren't for sale--they looked old (two) and were actually stuck on some old shelves--wonder how old the shelves were, and where they've been...

STG · #18 (**permalink**) 06-02-2002, 03:11 AM

Jamo,

Carroll probably rationed those expensive stickers back in 1964. What you saw was probably New Old Stock!

Wonder what Rick Kopec and the SAAC guys would pay for 'em?

SAI could come up with a continuation series for replicas & counterfeits.

E-mail your physical address to me so I can send you VICE photos plus a 427 R/S

Jamo · #19 (**permalink**) 06-02-2002, 11:29 AM

You probably got that right! E-mail on the way.

Robert Evans · #20 (**permalink**) 06-03-2002, 03:34 PM

That Gurney sticker didn't happen to look like this one by chance, did it? You just have to have the right connections! (Or the right friends...)