Kurtis 500, 1955 500 | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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Monoposto

1955 Kurtis 500 'John Zink Special' 1955 Indy 500 Winner

In addition to having to race his Kurtis-Kraft 500C, Bob Sweikert had to assemble it with his crew as well! A.J. Watson was the chief mechanic for the John Zink-owned racer, but was unable to make it out from California, as his wife was going through a difficult child-birth. Upon hearing the news, Sweikert shook his head and told his crew,'(It) looks like the pitcher is going to have to hit a home run.'

Sweikert almost didn't qualify for the race. Engine troubles led to Sweikert pulling out of his first qualifying attempt, while his second attempt also ended in failure. Finally, on his third and final try, Sweikert ran a safe four laps at an average speed of 139,996 mph. He later told reporters, ' I was more interested in assuring myself of a starting position than I was of setting an exceptionally fast pace.' His 'safe' strategy paid off.

Jim McGrath and Bill Vukovich were considered the favorites at the 1955 Indianapolis 500. Vukovich had won the the previous two 500s, while McGrath had earned the pole position with a brisk qualifying time of 142.58 mph, a record at the time. Form held early in the race, as McGrath and Vukovich vied for first. Swiekert, meanwhile, ran steadily in third behind the two favorites. McGrath ran into engine trouble and dropped out at Lap 55. Tragically, Vukovich was fatally injured in a three-car accident two laps later. Sweikert would only lost the lead twice more during pit stops.

1955, marked the beginning of the end of the Kurtis dominance at Indy. Sweikert's crew chief, A.J. Watson, offset the engine and driveline of the Kurtis design, improving weight distribution and allowing for faster cornering speeds. It was a change that would usher in a new front runner at Indy, with five Watson automobiles winning the Indianapolis 500 from 1956-1964.

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Monoposto

By 1955, Frank Kurtis creations dominated the landscape at Indianapolis. A Kurtis automobile had won four of the last five years at Indianapolis.

Indianapolis racing cars have always represented the best of American automobile design and workmanship. Frank Kurtis, of Kurtis-Kraft, Inc of Los Angeles, California, was a renowned builder of some of the best Indianapolis race cars available. Kurtis' superbly built cars dominated the Speedway during the 1950s and 1960s. The 1955 Kurtis Roadster Ansted Rotary Special Model 500D displayed here was designed by Frank Kurtis.

The Meyer-Drake Offenhauser engine in the 1955 Kurtis racer displayed here is fuel injected, has dual overhead camshafts, four cylinders and four valves per cylinder. The 270 cubic inch engine runs on alcohol fuel (methanol or ethanol) and develops 330 h.p. The guiding hands behind the manufacture of the famous Meyer-Drake Offenhauser engines were Harry Miller, Fred Offenhauser, Lou Meyer, Dale Drake and Leo Goossen.

Pat O'Connor drove this car in the 1955 Indianapolis 500 at an average speed of 124.644 mph, finishing 8th. In 1956, he qualified the car at 144.980 mph and finished 18th. Don Freeland qualified the car in 1957 at 139.649 mph but was flagged out of the race on the 192nd lap due to oil on the track and finished 17th.

1955 Kurtis 500
Year	1955
Make	Kurtis
Model	500
Body Style	Monoposto
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Combined MPG	0.00

Performance
Top Speed	143 mph \| 230.1 km/h Similar top speeds

Engine
Engine Builder	Offenhauser
Engine Configuration	I
Cylinders	4
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	270.20 CU IN. \| 4428.6 cc. \| 4.4 L.
Valves	16 valves. 4 valves per cylinder.
Valvetrain	DOHC
Horsepower	330.00 BHP (242.9 KW)
HP / Liter	75.0 BHP / Liter
Fuel Type	Gasoline - Petrol
Fuel Feed	Fuel Injected

Standard Transmission
Gears	2
Transmission	Manual

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