1972 AAR Eagle 7200 Indycar

The 1972 AAR Eagle, designed by Roman Slobodynskyj, was built at the height of an era that had seen tremendous technological advancements in aerodynamics, turbocharging, and tire design. Beginning in 1963 and continuing for a decade, dramatic changes in technology and design led to the first car to break the magical 200 mph lap barrier. Lotus revolutionized the sport in 1963 with the mid-engine placement, which saw the track record at Indianapolis increase from 150 mph in 1962 to 165 mph in 1965. By 1971, the top speed had been raised to 179 mph.

Dan Gurney had hired engineer Slobodynskij away from Rockwell Aerospace in 1969. The design and development of a new car got underway with the aid of wind-tunnel testing. The new Eagle 7200 took full advantage of the new USAC rules, including the addition of a wider wing to increase downforce, and the wheels were moved out to the full 80-inch width possible. The Drake-Offenhauser engine with turbocharger offered over 750 horsepower and was a stressed member from the firewall back. Phil Remington built the slab-sided aluminum body. The suspension was designed to be adjustable by the driver on the track.

At the 1972 Indianapolis 500, Bobby Unser set the fastest lap of 196.678 mph which was 17 mph faster than the previous year. During that year, Unser would win six pole positions in nine races. Al Unser Sr., who won the race in 1970 and 1971, was hoping to become the first driver in history to 'three-peat' at the Indianapolis 500. He came close, finishing in the runner-up position. Mark Donohue won the race and scored his first Indy 500 victory and the first victory for car owner Roger Penske.

By the start of the 1972 Indy 500, six examples of the AAR 7200 Eagle had been built. After it showcased its tremendous speed, privateers quickly placed orders, and by the end of the year, 29 examples had been sold.

The Eagle chassis dominated in the 1973 Indy 500, with the first six starting rows occupied by Eagles.

by Dan Vaughan

Monoposto
Chassis number: 7219

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 Dan Vaughan

Monoposto
Chassis number: 7217

Winner of the 1973 Indianapolis 500. Piloted by Gordon Johncock to his first of two Indy wins, this Patrick Racing/STP Gurney Eagle claimed victory of the 57th Indianapolis 500 Mile International Sweepstakes on Wednesday, May 30, 1973.

Although plagued by three days of rain delays and tragic accidents, the 1973 Indy 500 saw what many consider to be the most powerful race cars to ever circle the Brickyard. Unrestricted turbo-boost coupled with advancements in tire technology and aerodynamic downforce resulted in cars pushing over 1,000 horsepower and speeds of close to 200 mph.

Following the 1973 season, sweeping changes were introduced to both cars and track in an effort to enhance driver safety resulting in limited fuel capacity, turbo boost, and wing size.

Monoposto
Chassis number: 7225

All American Racers Eagle number 7225 came to life in April of 1973 after a Goodyear tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Mark Donohue found the new McLaren M16B he had been running was some ten mph slower than Dan Gurney's AAR factory Eagles. Thus, Donohue convinced team owner Roger Penske to purchase an Eagle from AAR. The car in question would be Eagle number 7225, a 1972 model. It proved to be the only car in the history of All American Racers to be sold unassembled per the request of Roger Penske. Karl Kainhofer and Mark Donohue pieced it together on the floor of Penske's shop in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Donohue qualified his Offy-powered Eagle third for the 1973 Indy 500 but a burned piston relegated him to a 15th-place finish. Donohue led 8 laps of the 1973 Schaefer 500 at Pocono only for his Eagle/Offy to suffer another burned piston. Donohue's final Indy car race came in this car at Ontario Motor Speedway but he failed to finish due to a broken crankshaft. The car proved to be Donohue's final USAC Indy car. Later in life, it was owned by safety innovator Bill Simpson, who put rookie Rick Mears in the car in what would be Mears' first Indy car race, the 1976 California 500. Mears placed eighth in this, his first career Indy start. He went on to a star-studded career with Team Penske beginning in 1978 and ultimately became one of just three racers to win four Indy 500s.

Monoposto
Chassis number: 7203

This Eagle 7200 is the second example used by Bobby Unser during the 1972 season and was primarily used on longer oval circuits. It raced at the Indy 500 where Unser set the lap record but was unable to finish the race due to mechanical issues. Unser also raced this 7200 at Michigan, Pocono, and Ontario during the 1972 season and for the following season, it was raced by Wally Dallenbach and Jerry Grant. At Ontario, Grant was involved in an accident with the car and it ended its contemporary racing career.

The damaged vehicle remained with All American Racers. In the 2000s it was given a restoration and in 2010 it was on display at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

by Dan Vaughan

Monoposto
Chassis number: 7201

This Eagle 7200 is the prototype example and was tested by Bobby Unser in Ontario before it became his 'short oval' car. His other car was 7203 which was designed for longer oval circuits including at the Indy 500 where it set a lap record. 7201 and Unser placed first at Phoenix, Trenton, Milwaukee, and Phoenix again later in the year.

After the 1972 season, the car was sold to the MVS team who fitted it with a Ford turbocharged engine and raced by several drivers for a few seasons. The car later received a restoration by former AAR mechanic Mike Lewis who brought it back to its original livery and specification. In 2008, the car was offered for sale at auction but did not sell.

by Dan Vaughan

Monoposto
Chassis number: 72-11

The design of Dan Gurney's All American Racers (AAR) for the 1972 was entrusted to Roman Slobodynskyj. Among the styling elements bestowed upon the cars were sizeable front wings, side-mounted radiators, and a large, five-foot-wide rear wing. The United States Auto Club allowed teams during the 1972 season to use free-standing wings on their cars, as long as they did not move and were not attached to the suspension. Another key component for the 1972 AAR cars was the addition of the Gurney flap, a small lip placed at the rear of the wing.

Among the accolades achieved by the AAR cars during the 1972 season being the first car to break 200 mph for a lap, and Bobby Unser setting a track record at Indianapolis during his pole-qualifying run. His speed of nearly 196 mph beat the 1971 record by over 18 mph.

The team built approximately thirty examples of the 1972 AAR Gurney Eagle, and this particular example was sold new to team owner Lindsey Hopkins and driven by Mel Kenyon over three seasons. When new, the car was powered by a turbocharged Offenhauser engine. The following season, the team switched to a turbocharged Ford/Foyt four-cam V-8 and handed the driving duties to Eldon Rasmussen. 1973 was also the year it achieved its best success, placing fourth at the Indianapolis 500.

In 1974, it is believed that the tub was used to rebuild chassis 72-15, also owned by Mr. Hopkins. Both 72-11 and 72-15 were then sold to Fred Fuhr of Hastings, Michigan, in the mid-1970s.

Dave Hammers acquired 72-11 around 1998 and at the time, it was devoid of an engine. After the acquisition, Mr. Wonder contacted A.J. Foyt and purchased two Ford four-cam V-8 engines. One of the powerplants was a 161 cubic-inch turbocharged unit and the other was a 255 CID normally aspirated engine with Lucas fuel injection. The 255 CID engine was installed in the Eagle since it was an easier process to perform.

In 2011, the Eagle was sold to William M. Wonder and during this ownership, Lucas fuel injection and an onboard starter were fitted and the car was converted to run on gasoline.

In 2022, this Gurney Eagle Indy Car was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auction where it found new ownership for the sum of $112,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan