1961 Chevrolet Impala: Dan Gurney’s American Export

The words “Chevy Impala" don’t tend to have motorsport connotations for most people, but that didn’t stop Dan Gurney from ordering one from the factory in police specification with an aim to take it racing in England. He’d been watching Jaguars dominate the British saloon car series and thought he could put the big Chevy above them on the podiums, so after rebuilding the motor to his liking Mr. Gurney sent his Impala across the Atlantic and proceeded to whoop the competition… for almost one full race. The Impala was leading in its debut before a wheel failure, and upon its return to the grid in the next race was banned from the series. It’s a lesser-known project from a man who earned a laundry list of racing success, but thanks to its current owner Ed Foster, its brief but inspiring underdog story is still being shared today.

Drive Tastefully®

[lucaskoukouvaos]

This is how you should do the sound for all your videos. Good mix of pure engine and subtle background music when he is talking. Nothing distracting like many of your previous videos.

[savithapenis]

holllyyy cowww that v8 noise and the car is just perfect

[virgilrytaar]

Best film for a like me, he's British.
DO NOT PUT SILENCERS ON!
sounds incredible. Top work

[RollYourRock]

The "Bubble Top" 1961-2 Chevys have always been my favorite! - Beautiful design! 😃

[Guy_de_Loimbard]

How completely appropriate that the auto-closed-caption feature translates the exhaust note into applause.

[rscottenglish]

I grew up in Flint, MI. Flint was the home of Chevrolet. My next door neighbor had a 1961 409 Chevy Impala, the guy across the street had 1964 SS Impala and we had a lowly 1965 327 impala...those were the days!

[usergonemad]

The perfect owner and car combination. Dan would certainly be happy about this. Great film!

[willyhwang]

watching big American cars on narrow twisty European roads always makes me smile.
they weren't built for each other so the juxtaposition is intriguing.

[manofthehour]

I first became aware of this car about 30 years ago while reading a book, oddly enough, about Jaguars! As much as I love Jaguars, I also love this era of American cars, particularly GM. The styling of the 1961s were the last of the great Harley Earl, but with significant input by his successor, Bill Mitchell. There is some attractive reminants of the 1950s like the dogleg A-pillar, the bubbletop roof, and the impossing "V" design on the trunk, but it also has very clean "we mean business" lines. It's a pity that Jaguar apparently panicked at what a stock American car could do, but doesn't competition build excellence? So much for the best man you Ed Foster for this magnificent tribute to racing legend Dan Gurney.

[thejoshbtv]

Nothing beats the sound of an American V8.

[ShifuCareaga]

Finally an American export. This episode did not disappoint! I think I'll join your membership

[windronner]

As Lucas points out, what an excellent composed and edited video!! Just remember, that a '61 Chevy Bubble top is itself an American Icon. Owning an early 60's V8 icon owned by one only 4 American racing Icons who won at Le manns, Indy 500, Formula 1, and NASCAR makes this one very valuable car!! Great work!!! Finding it's home back in England where the owner really appreciates..

[chrisjeffries]

She's so fine my 409! Thank you for sharing.

[cecilwilson]

Don't worry about the noise it's one of the best bits of the car better than a radio and hats off to you for building it up to the original specification truly brilliant thanks for the video awesome viewing

[orangelion]

I've enjoyed many of your videos, but this one actually brought a tear to my eye. Dan was, and always will be, The Man. Kudos to Mr Foster for preserving a part of his legacy.

[ChevyBM]

Nothing beats the power from a big block! The 61 bubble top Impalas are the best looking of the whole production.

[tristanclark]

the bubble top was such a sweet design. The steel wheels and side exhaust downplay the glitzy trim this car had stock and just makes it real honest old car. the truck floor shifter no and no exhaust makes you smile

[peloi]

I love 1950s cars nd the Belair impala is a big part of that love. The early 60s era is somewhat looked down upon by those who like 1950s because it was the end of an era. The "tail fin era" was done and it was the dawn of the muscle car era, many car producers just didn't know what to do with their cars during these changes, you can see this clearly with Chrysler products. Many cars abandoned their 1950s heritage, to the point where their past was unrecognizable... except for THIS CAR, the perfect bridge. To me, this car looks like a beautiful 1950s Chevy with it's 2 tone chromed up design and sideways fins (following it's 1958 heritage), including the beautiful 6 taillights, an interior design for the wife and a spaceship top ... yet at the same time, it's low, longer, wider with those headlights so lower than low, more straight edges than round corners, Including a loud SS monster of an engine that could be taken to a drag strip. This car represents the best of both worlds, the transition point and I think it was the last one to carry so much of it's 1950s glory in a tasteful way.

[RL-djzl]

Back to the inception and what Petrolicious was meant to be. This is truly his/story. The car and the piece have the most important elements, depth and soul. Everything else is obvious. Congratulation on a job well done, and welcome back.

[jeffjusth]

Dan's movie star grin is smiling ear-to-ear every time you fire that 409 GREAT