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This Pen-Can Sunoco Eagle was built by Dan Gurney's All American Racers. It was originally purchased by Roger Penske for use by Mark Donohue as their first USAC Indy car in 1968. The car's first competitive outing was the Telegraph Trophy race at Mosport on 15 June 1968. After two 40-lap heats, Donahue placed 5th overall.
This car's second outing was at the Rex Mays 300 at the Riverside International Raceway in California. Unfortunately, Donahue and the car were unable to finish the race. Donahue's final outing in chassis number 406 was at a test session for Goodyear Tires held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Richard Oeffinger, representing Sid Weinberger of Weinberger Homes, purchased the car in early 1969. It was purchased directly from Roger Penske for use by Ron Bucknum. Fitted with an Offenhauser engine, the car would qualify 16th at that year's Indianapolis 500, but ultimately DNF due to a burned piston, and would place 26th overall.
A Chevrolet engine was re-installed and the car was entered at Phoenix but failed to qualify. The third and last race for the AAR Eagle for Bucknum was at Riverside. After running as high as 4th, the car did not finish because of a loose hose clamp.
Arnie Knepper purchased the car in 1970 and campaigned the car during the 1971 season. Arnie would compete in most of the USAC races, including Indianapolis.
The car was later sold to Precision Racing, repowered with Chevrolet engines, and raced in the 1974 and 1975 seasons. It was raced by Larry Rice for the first year and then by John Hubbard for the balance of 1974 and 1975. After the 1975 season, the car was relegated to the back of the LaWarre's shop in Florida, where it would remain until 1999.
The current owner discovered the car in LaWarre's shop. A correct Traco-built engine block and a correct intake manifold were found to complete the engine restoration to the same specification it had raced at Riverside in 1968.
Currently, the engine produces 525.4 horsepower and 450.5 foot-pounds of torque.
The chassis has been repainted in period-correct Sonoco Blue with yellow stripes. The numbers and lettering have been hand-painted. The suspension and brake components were reconditioned and rebuilt. The gearbox has been re-configured to road-racing specifications.
The restoration was completed in 2004. After the work was completed, it was shown at the 2005 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.By Daniel Vaughan | May 2017
This car's second outing was at the Rex Mays 300 at the Riverside International Raceway in California. Unfortunately, Donahue and the car were unable to finish the race. Donahue's final outing in chassis number 406 was at a test session for Goodyear Tires held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Richard Oeffinger, representing Sid Weinberger of Weinberger Homes, purchased the car in early 1969. It was purchased directly from Roger Penske for use by Ron Bucknum. Fitted with an Offenhauser engine, the car would qualify 16th at that year's Indianapolis 500, but ultimately DNF due to a burned piston, and would place 26th overall.
A Chevrolet engine was re-installed and the car was entered at Phoenix but failed to qualify. The third and last race for the AAR Eagle for Bucknum was at Riverside. After running as high as 4th, the car did not finish because of a loose hose clamp.
Arnie Knepper purchased the car in 1970 and campaigned the car during the 1971 season. Arnie would compete in most of the USAC races, including Indianapolis.
The car was later sold to Precision Racing, repowered with Chevrolet engines, and raced in the 1974 and 1975 seasons. It was raced by Larry Rice for the first year and then by John Hubbard for the balance of 1974 and 1975. After the 1975 season, the car was relegated to the back of the LaWarre's shop in Florida, where it would remain until 1999.
The current owner discovered the car in LaWarre's shop. A correct Traco-built engine block and a correct intake manifold were found to complete the engine restoration to the same specification it had raced at Riverside in 1968.
Currently, the engine produces 525.4 horsepower and 450.5 foot-pounds of torque.
The chassis has been repainted in period-correct Sonoco Blue with yellow stripes. The numbers and lettering have been hand-painted. The suspension and brake components were reconditioned and rebuilt. The gearbox has been re-configured to road-racing specifications.
The restoration was completed in 2004. After the work was completed, it was shown at the 2005 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.By Daniel Vaughan | May 2017
This was Team Penske's first Indy Car. Powered by a gasoline-fueled Chevrolet V-8 Mark Donohue raced this car to fifth place in the 1968 USAC road race at Mosport, Canada in the young team's Indy Car debut. Converting the Eagle to methanol for the Riverside Indy Car season finale and qualifying fifth, Donohue chased Dan Gurney for the lead until a broken suspension part ended what seemed a certain podium finish in just the team's second Indy Car race. The Eagle taught Penske that they were competitive with USAC Indy Car veterans and they embarked on an Indy 500 program that saw Donohue test this car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Another broken suspension component ended the tests. The Eagle was sold and Penske launched their Indy 500 program with a Lola T152 in the 1969 Indy 500 where Donohue qualified the Penske Lola an impressive fourth and raced as high as second. But the Offy engine began to misfire. Donohue eventually finished seventh, ten laps behind winner Mario Andretti but still earned Indy's Rookie of the Year Award. Three years later Donohue scored the first of Team Penske's record 18 Indy 500 wins. It all started with this Chevrolet-powered Eagle.
In 1969, the car was sold to Wineberger Homes, their driver being Ron Buchnum. It was then sold to owner/driver Arnie Knepper and raced by him in the 1971 and 1972 seasons, including at the Indy Speedway, repowered with an Offenhauser motor. It was then sold to Precision Racing (LaWare Family) and repowered with Chevy motors and raced in 1974 and 1975.
After 1975, the car was relegated to the back of the LaWare facility until being purchased in 1999 and fully restored by J.D. Pinotta (Vintage Motorsports).
In 1969, the car was sold to Wineberger Homes, their driver being Ron Buchnum. It was then sold to owner/driver Arnie Knepper and raced by him in the 1971 and 1972 seasons, including at the Indy Speedway, repowered with an Offenhauser motor. It was then sold to Precision Racing (LaWare Family) and repowered with Chevy motors and raced in 1974 and 1975.
After 1975, the car was relegated to the back of the LaWare facility until being purchased in 1999 and fully restored by J.D. Pinotta (Vintage Motorsports).
2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $350,000-USD $400,000
Lot was not sold
Recent Sales of the AAR Eagle MK4
(Data based on Model Year 1968 sales)
AAR Eagle MK4s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1968 AAR Eagle MK4's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 AAR Eagle USAC Indianapolis | 406 | 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | $350,000 | $400,000 |
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1968 AAR Eagle MK4
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