This turbo air inlet off a ’91/’92 AAR-Toyota Eagle MkIII GTP car is currently for sale on eBay, and man, do we want it.
A Very Brief History of the Part
The carbon fiber inlet was used in the MkIII driven by both Juan Manuel Fangio II and PJ Jones at its debut late in the 1991 IMSA season. It continued to be used on both cars for the first seven races of the 1992 season, which included wins at Sebring and Lime Rock.
The inlet remained on the #98 car of Jones for the next two races – New Orleans and Watkins Glen – while Fangio’s #99 had adopted a new front intake instead that reduced drag. By the time Laguna Seca rolled around in July, both cars had traded the side inlet for the front intake.
Interesting to note – when AAR first removed the inlet from the #99 at New Orleans, the car won and continued to win the next two races after that. Jones won his second race without it in Portland, and went on to win the final race of the season as well.
All in all, the MkIII won every race after its removal and went on to easily win the championship. So, it appears to be a bit of a bastard part. But that doesn’t stop us from wanting this piece of an iconic racing car from motorsport’s history.
The Item Itself
The item is definitely race-used, with dings, scratches and bits of paint missing, but that only adds to its allure. It’s unspecified which of the two cars it belonged to.
The seller is offering the part for $388, after initially offering it for $474. Including shipping, the part (plus a AAR certificate of authenticity signed by Gurney) will cost you around $460. But considering Fangio’s Mk III sold in Monterey for over one million dollars, it’s a steal.
Just comment below when you’ve bought it, and we’ll give you our shipping address.
