Where Eagles Dare

Few American racing cars carry the mystique of the AAR Eagle Mk I. Built by Dan Gurney’s All-American Racers, this 1967 example, chassis 103, is one of just four Formula 1 Eagles constructed and one of only three powered by the exquisite 3.0-litre Gurney-Weslake V12, producing around 390bhp.

Its racing career reads like a condensed piece of Grand Prix folklore. Driven by Gurney, Richie Ginther and Ludovico Scarfiotti, the example featured here debuted at Brands Hatch in 1967 before Gurney took it to a remarkable third place in the rain-soaked Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport. It also competed at Monaco and Monza during a short but fascinating chapter in AAR's ambitious Formula 1 campaign.

That campaign ultimately produced just one World Championship victory, Gurney's famous 1967 Belgian Grand Prix win in the sister Eagle. It remains the only American-built Formula 1 design ever to win a World Championship Grand Prix.

The 1967 AAR Eagle Mk I Gurney-Weslake later passed through the hands of Danny Ongais and a succession of notable collectors before returning to Europe for historic racing. It has been part of the current owner's collection since 2002 and is now being offered by RM Sotheby’s for an estimated $7 - $9m. Photos © RM Sotheby’s / Tim Scott Fluid Images.