1954 Kurtis Kraft 500S Roadster

In the 1990s, Frank Kurtis's son Arlen began restoring and then building new versions of the 500S with original technology and upgrades. A low number were produced, and this example is one of those cars. The car remains true to the original design and has a tube frame with a torsion bar suspension on solid axles with Halibrand-pattern wheels. Disc brakes can be found at all four corners and powered by a Summit-built 400 cubic-inch Chevy small-block V8 engine. With the three two-barrel carburetors, the engine produces 380 horsepower which is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed transmission. The car weighs just 1,820 pounds and can race from zero-to-sixty mph in under five seconds. The top speed is in the neighborhood of 140 mph.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $140,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $121,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2011