Watch all-American hero Dan Gurney wheel the gigantic Marauder X-100 around the Riverside road course in this original Mercury dealer film.

It’s only natural that Lincoln-Mercury would select Riverside International Raceway as the setting for this quick film showcasing Dan Gurney and the 1969 Marauder X-100. After all, Gurney practically owned the historic California road course at the time. Between 1963 and 1968 he swept the annual NASCAR Grand National events there five times, including four victories in a row in 1963-66. In those days, NASCAR at Riverside was the Dan Gurney show. While all these NASCAR wins came in Fords, Gurney raced for the Lincoln-Mercury division as well, piloting a Cougar in the Trans-Am series for team owner Bud Moore.

As we watch him wrestle the giant Marauder X-100 around the demanding 9-turn, 3.3 mile course, Gurney reports, “The standard handling package has a real sports car feel through the turns.” They probably asked him to say that. At more than 18 feet long and more than 4,400 lbs, the X-100 would never be mistaken for a sports car. (For more on the rare X-100, see our feature here). Still, with its 429 cubic-inch, 360 hp V8, creamy ride, and roomy interior, the X-100 was just the ticket for buyers in need of a powerful, stylish highway cruiser. Now here’s Chris Schenckel of ABC Sports to set up the action. Video below.