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RESTORING DAN GURNEY’S IMPALA: HOW TO KEEP THE SPIRIT ALIVE

20.09.2018

Mike Jordan from Jordan Racing Team (JRT) and Ed Foster (deputy head of motorsport content at Goodwood) explain the process and the tough decisions that needed to be made before restoring an icon as the Chevrolet ’66 Impala. Certainly when it used to belong to one of the most famous racers such as Dan Gurney.

 

It all comes down to 2 choices, either you make it a ‘restomod’; underneath modifying the car to a modern racecar with adjustable race suspension, disc brakes, a roll cage and mostly a modern engine swap. Or you respect the heritage with all its shortcomings; older technique, soft suspension and lower performance. Often called in ‘petrolhead’ terms: character J.

After a detailed and thorough inspection Ed Foster and Mike Jordan decided to respect the history and restore the Impala the heritage way. Motul has been by their side as the technical oil partner during this restoration. The team has been working hard to have it race-ready for the Goodwood revival event. It succeeded in even the smallest details, making the Impala perfectly period correct. Just like Dan Gurney decided to race it in Britain in the sixties!

Discover the full story here (episode 2/4):

Pictures : ©Jason Vian