1972 AAR Eagle 7200 Indycar Monoposto

This 1972 AAR Eagle was driven by Bobby Unser at Indy at a qualifying speed of 195.94 MPH. This was a tremendous accomplishment, considering it was 17 MPH faster than the year before. Part of this was due to new aerodynamic rules which permitted a higher top speed. The Roman Slobodinski designed Eagle to take full advantage of these new rules. One of the new additions was the large rear wing allowing it unheard-of-cornering speeds.

The Dan Gurney-owned team picked up 7 pole positions in 9 races that season. Customers were given the opportunity to purchase these cars in 1972 and 1973 and a total of 29 were completed at gurney's All American Racers' Santa Ana headquarters.

For 1973, the Patrick Racing team, sponsored by Andy Granatelli's STP brand, entered 3 cars with lead driver and eventual winner Gordon Johncock on the front row. Graham McRae from New Zealand was given driving duties in Johncock's reserve car once he qualified safely. McRae qualified after just 10 laps of practice in fewer than 8 minutes on the track. His qualifying speed was 192 MPH.

The running of the Indy 500 was delayed due to bad weather and a series of tragic accidents. It took place on Wednesday, May 30th and the victor was crowned after 133 laps. McRae was later declared the Rookie of the Year.

Wally Dallenbach took over the car for the remainder of the season, winning from pole position at Wisconsin and again in the California 500 at Ontario.

The next owner was **** Beith and was driven during the 1974 season by Bill Simpson. George Follmer also drove the car, which was last driven by Billy Scott before it was retired after the 1978 season.

The current owner treated the car to a full restoration, including rebuilding the turbocharged 800-horsepower Offy engine.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012