From the streets of L.A. to the Bonneville Salt Flats to the road races
of Europe and beyond, Dan Gurney brings the romance of his racing career
to life. Along the way, he introduces us to the personalities and
pursuits that helped him to develop winning automobiles, field winning
teams, and chart a course for American racing. He shares his
impressions of such legendary race car personalities as Enzo Ferrari,
Jim Clark, and Carroll Shelby. Gurney takes us through the 1967 LeMans
race and shares his winning strategy. He offers his opinion on the
current state of racing, how rules are stifling innovation and his
observation that "bureaucrats and freedom don't seem to mix."
He dived into California car culture when his father, John Gurney, a
singer with the Metropolitan Opera, retired in 1947 and moved his family
to the city of Riverside. There, the teenaged Gurney soon found himself
caught up in California hot rod scene and discovered his enormous
talent as a driver. In addition to this gift, Gurney also possessed "the
engineering gene," which ultimately led him to be keenly involved in
how his cars were set up. Interested in the state of the sport overall,
in later years Gurney also played a pivotal role in reshaping American
auto racing into the institution we know today.
Despite cutting his teeth as a teenage hot rodder on Utah's Bonneville
Salt Flats, Gurney always wanted to be a road racer. His first break
came in 1957 when he drove a Ferrari to second place behind established
star Carroll Shelby at the Riverside Grand Prix. Impressed, Ferrari
importer Luigi Chenitti arranged for Gurney to drive another Ferrari at
Le Mans in 1958. By 1959 Gurney was on the Italian manufacturer's
Formula One team. Perhaps his most famous win was the 1967 24 Hours of
Lemans, world's most important sports car race. Gurney and A.J. Foyt
beat the second place Ferrari by 32 miles in a Ford Mark IV. In the
midst of the victory celebrations, Gurney famously sprayed the crowd
with champagne, starting a racing tradition. After retiring from
driving, he continued to shape racing as an innovative manufacturer and
influential team owner.
Why He Innovates
Dan Gurney possesses a wide-ranging curiosity and hands-on attitude
that has resulted in a number of innovations including the
downforce-increasing "Gurney flap." The only American to win a Formula
One race in a car he built himself, Gurney also brought British race car
builder Colin Chapman and Ford Motor Company together. The
collaboration produced a Ford-powered Indy 500 winner in 1965. Chapman's
Lotus chassis was the first rear engine car to the win the 500, and
rear engine cars have won every race since. Although Gurney's California
shop, All American Racers, no long produces Eagle race cars, they
completed the prototype for the new Delta Wing race car in March 2012.
In addition, Gurney continues to apply his talents and skills to the
design and production of Alligator Motorcycles.
2014 Edison-Ford Medal Recipient
In 2014, Dan Gurney received the Edison-Ford Medal for Innovation in a
ceremony at The Henry Ford. The prize honors individuals who fully
leverage the creative, innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that
resides in every one of us. Gurney's many accomplishments, first as a
driver and later as a designer, builder and team owner, exemplify the
character of American ingenuity.
The tribute film, narrated by Brian Williams, premiered on October 29, 2014 during the ceremony at The Henry Ford.
“
Dan Gurney
It sort of dawned on me that LeMans wasn't necessarily a race. It was an endurance contest. And you could look at it from a different standpoint. So, that's what I did.
Join Josh Goldblum, CEO and founder of the experience design agency Bluecadet for the first session in our new virtual talk series, THF Conversations. Hosted by The Henry Ford’s curator of communication and information technology, Kristen Gallerneaux via Zoom, attendees have the chance to ask their own questions during the session. THF Conversations is part of The Henry Ford’s #WeAreInnovationNation learning series. Held on Zoom, each session will feature leaders in their field as they discuss the topic and challenges facing us today.
1:04:11
video
100 Years of EV Engineering & the Future of Electrification
On Wednesday, June 10th at 3 pm ET, join Co-Founder of Detroit Mobility Lab, Chairwoman of Michigan Mobility Institute and current Entrepreneur-in-Residence Jessica Robinson, Executive Vice Chair of Programs for SAE Detroit Section and President of DG Technologies Mark Zachos and The Henry Ford’s Curator of Transportation Matt Anderson as they explore the history of electric vehicles and the future of electrification during THF Conversations. This informative discussion with industry leaders, provides attendees with the chance to ask their own questions during the session. Interested in attending? Register today!
55:40
video
Manufacturing: Past Forward
This is a special #THFConversations to celebrate Manufacturing Day #MFGDay. As manufacturers seek to fill 4.6 million high-skill, high-tech and high-paying jobs over the next decade, MFG Day empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive.
59:15
video
Autonomous Vehicles - Solving Problems and Driving Changes
Join us for THF Conversation in honor of National Engineers Week, presented by Michigan Department of Transportation, with mobility experts from Arrow Electronics and Kettering University as they discuss the future and social impact of autonomous vehicles!
58:47
video
Tiffany at The Henry Ford: The Exhibition, The Man and our Collection
Join Curator of Decorative Arts Charles Sable for a preview of the exhibition, Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures from The Driehaus Collection, highlighting some must-see pieces. Mr. Sable will also provide insight into Tiffany’s life and influences, and share behind-the-scenes stories about Tiffany treasures in The Henry Ford’s collection.
59:16
video
Driven to Win: Sneak Peek
As we prepare to open our major new exhibit, Driven to Win: Racing in America, join us for a preview of the Sports Car Performance Center. Explore the story of the Ford GT from inception to success at the 2016 Le Mans 24-hour race, and learn how engineers optimized the car through aerodynamic design, high-tech materials, and careful data analysis.
1:05:40
video
There’s Only One Greenfield Village
Curator Donna Braden has spent decades researching and interpreting buildings in Greenfield Village, but it was only when she authored 'The Henry Ford's Official Guidebook' that she truly realized how unique it is. In this partly serious, partly humorous virtual program, she reveals her top 10 favorite stories, little-known facts and interconnections from the village.
1:04:45
video
Creating the Eagle Tavern Food Experience
Mock turtle soup? Macaroni straws? How did these items land on menus at Eagle Tavern in Greenfield Village? Senior Curator and Curator of Public Life Donna Braden was instrumental in developing the original 1850s dining experience at the tavern nearly 40 years ago. Join us for a virtual program to hear her stories from those early days, including the original ideas and the steps that brought the tavern to life.
57:58
video
Imagining The Jim Henson Exhibit
Join curator Donna Braden and our guest, curator Barbara Miller from Museum of the Moving Image, for a virtual trip behind-the-scenes of The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited. In this relaxed interview, Donna will query Barbara about her perspective on creating the exhibit and how it provides insight into the life and career of the legendary creator.
57:58
video
Winning at Le Mans: Exploring Ford's Return to the Le Mans with the 2016 GT
As we continue to celebrate the opening of Driven to Win: Racing in America, presented by General Motors, join curator Matt Anderson for an exciting conversation honoring the 2016 Ford GT’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner’s Circle, 50 years to the date of Ford’s 1966 victory. Accompanying Matt will be three people who had a direct hand in its success, Ford Performance’s Mark Rushbrook, Multimatic Inc.’s Raj Nair and the driver who took it on its final lap across the finish line, Joey Hand. During this THF Conversation, the panel will explore what it took to return once again to victory and why the 2016 Ford GT has earned its own place in American auto racing history.
50:02
video
An Innovative Approach on Inclusion & Diversity Education
In collaboration with The Henry Ford and inHub, this webinar will be an inspiring and informative conversation on effective and innovative ways to discuss race, identity and being an "upstander" with your youngest learners. Enjoy this exciting conversation with industry leaders from Sesame Workshop, Akimi Gibson, Vice President & Education Publisher, Sesame Learning, and Dr. Rosemarie T. Truglio, Senior Vice President, Curriculum and Content.
1:01:26
video
A Market Shed in Its 160th Year
The vegetable building from Detroit’s Central Market holds over a century of stories – from the vendors and shoppers who brought it bustling to life in the 19th century, to the curators, preservationists and experts reconstructing it in Greenfield Village today. In this exclusive panel program, we’ll peek behind the scenes of the construction project and reveal plans for the 2022 opening.
1:01:26
video
Quilt Collection at The Henry Ford
For nearly three centuries, American women have made quilts to fill their family’s need for warm bedcovers, to express their creativity or to communicate a message. The quilts displayed in Greenfield Village are only the tip of our museum’s quilt iceberg. Join curator Jeanine Miller in a virtual stroll through textile storage to enjoy a look at quilts with stories to tell, artistry to share or a message to communicate. Savor a behind-the-scenes look at longtime favorites, as well as recently acquired quilts, and find out how they came into our collections.
59:40
video
Manufacturing Day
Join us for a preview of our upcoming temporary exhibit Collecting Mobility: New Objects, New Stories. Get a first look at some of the vehicles, artifacts and images acquired by The Henry Ford in recent years, and learn about the decision process behind each new addition to our collection.
1:01:44
video
Collecting Mobility: Sneak Peek
Join us for a preview of our upcoming temporary exhibit Collecting Mobility: New Objects, New Stories. Get a first look at some of the vehicles, artifacts and images acquired by The Henry Ford in recent years, and learn about the decision process behind each new addition to our collection.
57:35
video
How Did All This Stuff Get Here? The Henry Ford Era
Nearly a century ago, Henry Ford — with the help of his agents and hundreds of everyday people — set about gathering objects that represented almost every aspect of everyday American life. Join curator Jeanine Head Miller for this look at the collecting adventure that launched the unparalleled collection that has become The Henry Ford.
48:36
video
Animal Histories and The Henry Ford
Curator of Agriculture and the Environment Deb Reid discusses the emerging and thriving field of animal histories. Learn the many ways that animals appear in The Henry Ford’s historical resources and where members and guests can learn more about animals while visiting Greenfield Village. Through our archival and artifact collections, this program uncovers the history of draft animals and farm stock, including milk cattle and sheep, pigs, chickens and even farm pets.
54:13
video
Exceptional Engines
Take a fascinating look at the machines that move us with Curator of Transportation Matt Anderson. Explore some of the more unusual automobile engines in The Henry Ford’s collection, like Franklin’s air-cooled crosshead of 1905 or Chrysler’s experimental gas turbine of 1963. The heart of any car is its engine, and through the evolution of engine design and technology, we discover the importance of how innovation and diversity shape the automotive landscape.
54:41
video
Businesswomen at Detroit Central Market
In honor of the Detroit Central Market joining Greenfield Village as our first permanent addition to the village since 2000, this program focuses on female hucksters and market gardeners who made an impression. Together with Deb Reid, curator of Agriculture and the Environment at The Henry Ford, we learn about causes of food fights like the Cucumber War of 1861, strategies that bound market families together, conflicts that pulled them apart, and philanthropy that extended their reach.
57:59
video
The Fords’ Vision for Lincoln Motor Company
In anticipation of Old Car Festival Powered by Hagerty, this program focuses on Ford Motor Company’s purchase of Lincoln Motor Company in 1922 and hones in on Edsel Ford’s simple but highly personal vision for the luxury automaker: to make “the best car in the world.” With Matt Anderson, curator of transportation at The Henry Ford, we’ll explore materials in our archival collection looking at Lincoln Motor Company’s first decades.
