 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
1958 Kurtis Kraft Midget news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Roadster |
Ernie Aladado of Los Angeles, CA, was the original owner. He was the proprietor of a Kodak camera shop and had the car painted Kodak yellow. For most of the car's career, the Kodak yellow was maintained. Other owners of the roadster were Richard Nagy of Racing, WI; Tony Saylor of Joliet, IL; and Joe Will of Detroit, MI. After a catastrophic engine failure, the car sat from 1980 until the current owner purchased it in 2004. The roadster was not revised or updated during this time. It still has the original hand-formed aluminum body and original upholstery. The front and rear bumpers have been newly fabricated as the originals were badly damaged.
Drivers of this roadster included seven Indianapolis 500 drivers, one three-time Indy 500 winner and five National Midget Hall of Fame recipients.
Despite its odd proportions and relative obscurity, the Kurtis-Kraft Midget is a bigger car than its name suggests… Well, actually its name is perfectly apt at describing the car's diminutive dimensions. But that innocent little label doesn't even begin to hint at how successful and formidable a racing car the Kurtis-Kraft Midget was. Now a largely unknown car from a largely unknown maker, the Midget was effective and efficient in its time as it lapped the small oval racetracks on which it competed. Neither pretty nor prestigious, the Midget possessed a trait more important than either of those characteristics: authenticity. The Kurtis-Kraft Midget was an authentic racing car, purpose-built to dominate the increasingly popular field of midget car racing. Simple and unpretentious, the Midget was a timeless (and long-lived) example of an idea that just worked—and that idea worked well enough to earn Kurtis-Kraft a reputation for building one of the finest and most accomplished midget racers of the time.
Kurtis-Kraft was never a household name. Predominantly a builder of focused racing cars to compete at major events (most notably the Indianapolis 500), the company's production figures were never high. But, at least amongst car enthusiasts, Kurtis-Kraft deserves recognition for its success. Its Indy cars, powered by the famed Offenhauser four-cylinder engine, won the Indianapolis 500 in 1950 and 1951, and then again in 1953, 1954, and 1955.
The Kurtis-Kraft Midgets never earned victories as prestigious as those attained by their Indy-winning big brothers, but the smaller cars were nevertheless extremely successful in their field. Midget racing simply didn't have the same cachet as full-size automobile racing. The cars were not as glamorous as the larger racers and usually didn't come from high-profile brands. But Midget racing was, as it remains, a hugely entertaining and exciting form of motorsport appreciated by droves of spectators and superb drivers. Midget racers of the Kurtis-Kraft Midget era didn't feature the same safety precautions as today's machines, but still possessed explosive power-to-weight ratios. Hot engines and low weights ensured that these midget machines, even at half a ton, provided a whole handful of thrills.
Fred Kurtis founded Kurtis-Kraft as something of a compulsion. Driven from his early years to build a car capable of winning the Indianapolis 500, Kurtis lived out the gearhead's ultimate dream of creating a focused, independent company to produce distinctive and successful sports and racing cars. The building of chassis for midget racers was one of his earlier automotive projects, and the Kurtis-Kraft Midgets represented the ambition and dedication of their creator.
From around 1946 to 1962, Kurtis-Kraft produced approximately 550 turnkey Midgets. Another 600 or so units were sold in kit form. These cars were highly successful, remaining competitive even after the end of their production run. The Offenhauser engine used in many Kurtis-Kraft Midgets was responsible for a large part of the cars' success. This advanced engine featured dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. The block and head were incorporated into a single casting, eliminating the need for a head gasket and enabling the use of high compression ratios. Even more significant than its use in midget racing, the Offenhauser engine realized relentless success at Indianapolis, where it powered the victorious Kurtis-Krafts as well as winners from several other manufacturers.
With its legendary engine and successful racing record, the Kurtis-Kraft Midget meets two criteria for becoming a very collectible—and expensive—piece of automotive history. Yet the obscurity of the Kurtis-Kraft marque, as well as the car's tiny size and conventional midget racer shape, has prevented the Midget from appreciating into the realm of unobtanium. Kurtis-Kraft Midgets occasionally turn up at major auctions, and they do not bring the big money associated with similarly-pedigreed but larger racing cars of the same era. For this reason, the Midget provides an almost unrivaled opportunity for affordable entry into the rarefied league of historically-significant racing car ownership.
Sources:
'1947 Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser Midget.' RM Auctions. n.d. n. page. Web. 21 Jun. 2012. http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=JG08&CarID=r229&fc=0.
White, Gordon Eliot. Kurtis-Kraft: Masterworks of Speed and Style. St. Paul, MN: MBI Publishing Company, 2001. Print.By Evan Acuña
Kurtis-Kraft was never a household name. Predominantly a builder of focused racing cars to compete at major events (most notably the Indianapolis 500), the company's production figures were never high. But, at least amongst car enthusiasts, Kurtis-Kraft deserves recognition for its success. Its Indy cars, powered by the famed Offenhauser four-cylinder engine, won the Indianapolis 500 in 1950 and 1951, and then again in 1953, 1954, and 1955.
The Kurtis-Kraft Midgets never earned victories as prestigious as those attained by their Indy-winning big brothers, but the smaller cars were nevertheless extremely successful in their field. Midget racing simply didn't have the same cachet as full-size automobile racing. The cars were not as glamorous as the larger racers and usually didn't come from high-profile brands. But Midget racing was, as it remains, a hugely entertaining and exciting form of motorsport appreciated by droves of spectators and superb drivers. Midget racers of the Kurtis-Kraft Midget era didn't feature the same safety precautions as today's machines, but still possessed explosive power-to-weight ratios. Hot engines and low weights ensured that these midget machines, even at half a ton, provided a whole handful of thrills.
Fred Kurtis founded Kurtis-Kraft as something of a compulsion. Driven from his early years to build a car capable of winning the Indianapolis 500, Kurtis lived out the gearhead's ultimate dream of creating a focused, independent company to produce distinctive and successful sports and racing cars. The building of chassis for midget racers was one of his earlier automotive projects, and the Kurtis-Kraft Midgets represented the ambition and dedication of their creator.
From around 1946 to 1962, Kurtis-Kraft produced approximately 550 turnkey Midgets. Another 600 or so units were sold in kit form. These cars were highly successful, remaining competitive even after the end of their production run. The Offenhauser engine used in many Kurtis-Kraft Midgets was responsible for a large part of the cars' success. This advanced engine featured dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. The block and head were incorporated into a single casting, eliminating the need for a head gasket and enabling the use of high compression ratios. Even more significant than its use in midget racing, the Offenhauser engine realized relentless success at Indianapolis, where it powered the victorious Kurtis-Krafts as well as winners from several other manufacturers.
With its legendary engine and successful racing record, the Kurtis-Kraft Midget meets two criteria for becoming a very collectible—and expensive—piece of automotive history. Yet the obscurity of the Kurtis-Kraft marque, as well as the car's tiny size and conventional midget racer shape, has prevented the Midget from appreciating into the realm of unobtanium. Kurtis-Kraft Midgets occasionally turn up at major auctions, and they do not bring the big money associated with similarly-pedigreed but larger racing cars of the same era. For this reason, the Midget provides an almost unrivaled opportunity for affordable entry into the rarefied league of historically-significant racing car ownership.
Sources:
'1947 Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser Midget.' RM Auctions. n.d. n. page. Web. 21 Jun. 2012. http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=JG08&CarID=r229&fc=0.
White, Gordon Eliot. Kurtis-Kraft: Masterworks of Speed and Style. St. Paul, MN: MBI Publishing Company, 2001. Print.By Evan Acuña
Midget racing was gaining in popularity in the post-War era, and many racers were finding it difficult to compete due to rule changes and escalating expenses. The governing bodies had imposed and engine displacement limit of 100 to 140 cubic-inches, and for many Midget racers, the start-of-the-art Offenhauser engine was too expensive. Alternatives were found, but most were sourced from larger motors that were 'sleeved' or machined down to the required sizes. This often meant that power output was compromised.
In 1937, Ford announced a new 136 cub-cinch V8 engine that promised 60 horsepower. This became an economical alternative to the larger-displacement 85 horsepower V8 engine. One of the drawbacks of the V8-60 was that it had an overheating problem. Overheating aside, it was one of the first alternatives to provide a challenge to the Offenhauser powerplant.
In 1941, Ford replaced their V8-60 with an inline six-cylinder engine.
During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Frank Kurtis made auto racing more accessible to many aspiring racers by producing approximately 550 completely assembled Midgets and another 600 examples in kit form. The Midgets had an innovative chassis design and powered by the 'Offy' engine or the more affordable Ford V8-60.
Kurtis, who also invented the dominant Indianapolis roadster design of the 1950s, was also notable for being the first non-driver inducted into the National Midget Hall of Fame.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2012
For more information and related vehicles, click hereIn 1937, Ford announced a new 136 cub-cinch V8 engine that promised 60 horsepower. This became an economical alternative to the larger-displacement 85 horsepower V8 engine. One of the drawbacks of the V8-60 was that it had an overheating problem. Overheating aside, it was one of the first alternatives to provide a challenge to the Offenhauser powerplant.
In 1941, Ford replaced their V8-60 with an inline six-cylinder engine.
During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Frank Kurtis made auto racing more accessible to many aspiring racers by producing approximately 550 completely assembled Midgets and another 600 examples in kit form. The Midgets had an innovative chassis design and powered by the 'Offy' engine or the more affordable Ford V8-60.
Kurtis, who also invented the dominant Indianapolis roadster design of the 1950s, was also notable for being the first non-driver inducted into the National Midget Hall of Fame.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2012
| Honda Chases 10Th Consecutive Indy Triumph | |
| 05/21/2013 - TORRANCE, Calif. An accomplished 16-driver lineup, including two previous race winners and 11 graduates of open-wheel training-ground series, make up the Honda-powered effort for the 2013 Indianapolis 500, as the company seeks its 10th consecutive '500' victory – and fourth-in-a-row with engine-manufacturer competition. In 2012, Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti scored his third Indy triumph in a thrilling battle to the finish with fellow Honda drivers Takuma S...[Read more...] | |
| TAG HEUER SIGNS MAJOR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH FIA FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP | |
 | LONDON (May 15, 2013) - TAG Heuer, the world's number one manufacturer of luxury timepieces inspired by sport, has signed on as Official Timekeeper, Official Watch and Chronograph and Founding Partner of the FIA Formula E Championship. The agreement was signed at TAG Heuer's headquarters in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland by Jean-Christophe Babin, President and CEO of TAG Heuer (on the right), and Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings. 'Teaming up with Formula E, the world's top competi...[Read more...] |
| Jaguar Land Rover Debuts Three All-New British Vehicles At 2012 Los Angeles International Automobile Show | |
 | Jaguar Land Rover introducing three new vehicles with special focus on the U.S. Market •High-performance 2014 Jaguar XFR-S makes its world debut •All-new two-seat sports car, the Jaguar F-TYPE, makes its U.S. Auto Show Debut •The world's first all-aluminum SUV, the 2013 Range Rover makes its U.S. Auto Show Debut •The U.S. will be the world's largest market for the three vehicles Jaguar Land Rover is debuting at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show (MAHWAH, N.J.) – November...[Read more...] |
| Mercedes-Benz at Pebble Beach Automotive Week: An Expression of Fascinating Design and Innovation | |
 | •Historical Tribute to SL: W194 Chassis No. 2, 7 and 11 among 300SL vehicles on display •The Concept Style Coupé opens a new chapter and generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles •AMG 45 year anniversary highlights the pinnacle of performance and style A tribute to Mercedes-Benz SL Roadsters is set for Pebble Beach Automotive Week with three 1952 W194 vehicles among a mix of vintage and new vehicles bearing the three-pointed star that express the marque's breadth and depth of fascinating desi...[Read more...] |
| Mercedes-Benz at Pebble Beach: An Expression of Fascinating Design and Innovation | |
 | • Historical Tribute to SL: W194 Chassis No. 2, 7 and 11 among 300SL vehicles on display • The Concept Style Coupé opens a new chapter and generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles • AMG 45 year anniversary highlights the pinnacle of performance and style A tribute to Mercedes-Benz SL Roadsters is set for Pebble Beach weekend with three 1952 W194 vehicles among a mix of vintage and new vehicles bearing the three-pointed star that express the marque's breadth and depth of fascinating design and ...[Read more...] |
 1958
Kurtis
models |
| Kurtis 500H |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Bocar | Byers |
| Devin | Glasspar |
| Mysterion | Victress |
| Kurtis: 1951-1960 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Kurtis History |
| Other models by Kurtis |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance |
| 4000 500M Kraft 500S Kraft Midget |
