Michael SatterfieldIn this story, we share never-before-seen amateur photos from the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix, paired with a story that is written as if in period. The Gentleman Racer® has an ongoing effort to save images from the golden era of racing and share them with a new generation of automotive enthusiasts. These images were shot on a Kodak Instamatic Reflex SLR on 126 film. The ticket, which was included with the collection, is for seating in the Eau Rouge Tribune, one of the most iconic and dramatic corners in motorsport history.
In a momentous display of mechanical mastery and sheer determination, American Dan Gurney stormed to victory at the XXVII Grand Prix de Belgique, etching his name in the history books as the first—and only—Formula One driver to win a Grand Prix in a car of his own construction. Behind the wheel of the Eagle-Weslake, Gurney not only bested the field but also showcased the potential of American engineering on European soil.
The weekend began with Jim Clark dominating the time sheets in the revolutionary new Lotus 49, powered by the debuting Cosworth DFV engine. Clark snatched pole position with a lap that left spectators and rivals alike in awe. When the flag dropped on race day, the Scottish champion launched into an early lead, carving out a significant gap in the opening laps.
Spa-Francorchamps, as ever, proved unforgiving. The fearsome Blanchimont corner claimed Ferrari’s Mike Parkes on the first lap. After hitting oil laid down earlier in the session, Parkes lost control and crashed heavily, sustaining serious injuries that would ultimately end his Grand Prix career. The accident was a somber reminder of the dangers lurking at every corner of the 8.7-mile circuit.
Gurney Bides His Time
Dan Gurney didn’t have the best start, slipping back in the field during the opening laps. But as the race settled into a rhythm, the Eagle-Weslake began to show its strength. Gurney sliced through the pack with measured aggression. Meanwhile, Clark’s seemingly unstoppable Lotus began to misfire around lap 12, forcing an unscheduled pit stop that dropped him far down the order.
Jackie Stewart inherited the lead for BRM and looked poised for victory. Yet, with just over a quarter of the race remaining, mechanical gremlins began to creep into Stewart’s gearbox, leaving him vulnerable to attack.
Gurney, now in striking distance, pushed the Eagle to its limits, setting a new lap record in the process. With just eight laps to go, he caught and passed Stewart, pulling away with a commanding pace. The American crossed the finish line with a gap of over a minute, completing the 245-mile contest in 1 hour, 40 minutes, and 49.4 seconds.
1967 Belgian Grand Prix Final Standings:
- Dan Gurney (Eagle-Weslake)
- Jackie Stewart (BRM)
- Chris Amon (Ferrari)
- Jochen Rindt (Cooper-Maserati)
- Mike Spence (BRM)
- Jim Clark (Lotus-Ford)
A Win for the Ages
Gurney’s Spa triumph remains one of the most romantic victories in Formula One history—a driver in a car of his own design, winning on one of the world’s most daunting circuits. It was a race that underscored the rapidly shifting nature of Formula One, where speed, courage, and innovation continue to collide in the pursuit of glory.
Enjoy more photos from the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix below:
More About Dan Gurney:
Long before his landmark victory at Spa in 1967, Dan Gurney had already carved out a reputation as one of the most versatile and respected drivers in motorsport. Tall, thoughtful, and unassuming, Gurney possessed a natural driving ability that earned him the admiration of peers and fans alike. His Formula One career began in 1959 with Ferrari, and over the next decade, he would race for some of the sport’s most iconic teams—BRM, Porsche, Brabham—before taking the extraordinary step of building his own.
By the time he arrived at the Belgian Grand Prix in ’67, Gurney had already notched three F1 victories, including historic wins at Rouen for Porsche and at the daunting Nürburgring for Brabham. But it was his determination to go it alone with the All American Racers (AAR) project that set him apart. The Eagle-Weslake he drove at Spa was a technical marvel, constructed with a lightweight magnesium chassis and powered by a screaming V12 developed by British engine specialist Weslake.
Gurney’s win in Belgium wasn’t just another checkered flag—it was a watershed moment. He became the only driver in F1 history to win a World Championship Grand Prix in a car of his own design and manufacture, a feat that speaks to his intellect and engineering vision as much as his skill behind the wheel.
Though his Formula One career concluded in 1970 with a modest tally of four wins, Gurney’s legacy far outstrips the numbers. He was a pioneer of innovation—credited with introducing the full-face helmet to F1 and inventing the now ubiquitous “Gurney flap” aerodynamic aid. He was also a gentleman racer in the truest sense, embodying the spirit of competition with humility and grace.
For one brilliant Sunday in the Ardennes, Dan Gurney and his Eagle soared, leaving behind not just tire marks on the tarmac but a story that would inspire generations.
