Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
1953 Kircher Special Navigation
Designed and built by Kurt Kircher for Charles Hughes of the Denver Region SCCA in 1953, this special was far ahead of others running at the time. Initially, power was from a modified Jaguar XK120 and later changed to a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing motor and transmission. The chassis was liberally drilled chrome-moly tubing with torsion bar independent suspension and inboard drum brakes in the rear and quick-change differential. The aluminum body was fashioned by hand by Charles Lyon in a bi-valve design so the top may be removed for service.
It contested well in many SCCA events through the 1950s. It was in the Blackhawk Collection when the current owner purchased it in 1986. He has since participated in Vintage Races at Laguna Seca, Colorado Springs, Topeka, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, Road America, Hallet, and Christchurch, NZ. It also ran in the Vintage Run (Singapore-Malaysia) and the Colorado Grand.
It was recently restored by The Automotive Archeologists.
It contested well in many SCCA events through the 1950s. It was in the Blackhawk Collection when the current owner purchased it in 1986. He has since participated in Vintage Races at Laguna Seca, Colorado Springs, Topeka, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, Road America, Hallet, and Christchurch, NZ. It also ran in the Vintage Run (Singapore-Malaysia) and the Colorado Grand.
It was recently restored by The Automotive Archeologists.
2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $300,000-USD $400,000
Sale Price :
USD $304,200
Recent Sales of the Kircher Special
(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
| 1953 Hughes-Kircher Special Chassis#: CO1045 Sold for USD$304,200 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction |   |
Kircher Specials That Failed To Sell At Auction
1953 Kircher Special's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $304,200 range.
| 1970 Plymouth Superbird Chassis#:rm23v0a167952 Sold for $302,500 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Chassis#:WDDAJ76F66M000906 Sold for $302,000 2025 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | |
| 1983 Ferrari 512 BBi Chassis#:ZFFJA09B000044993 Sold for $302,000 2025 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
| 1911 Pierce-Arrow Model 66-A Runabout Sold for $302,000 2025 RM Sothebys : The Arizona Auction |   |
| 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:194677s119346 Sold for $302,500 2025 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Chassis#:194377s111572 Sold for $302,500 2025 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1969 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 429 Chassis#:9F02Z164768 Sold for $302,500 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
| 1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE Chassis#:30837S111711 Sold for $302,500 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
| 1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE Chassis#:30837S107880 Sold for $302,500 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
| 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe Chassis#:194375s115845 Sold for $302,500 2024 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
| 2019 Ferrari 488 Spider Chassis#:zff80ama0k0239323 Sold for $302,500 2024 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
| 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe Chassis#:30837s101022 Sold for $302,500 2024 Mecum : Dallas | |
| 1957 AC Ace Roadster Chassis#:AE220 Sold for $302,038 2024 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
| 2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster Chassis#:ZHWURIZD2ELA02142 Sold for $302,000 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction | |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster Chassis#:WDDAK76F78M001790 Sold for $302,000 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | |
| 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia Chassis#:ZFFKW64A980161294 Sold for $302,000 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
| 2000 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster Chassis#:ZA9RE31A0XLA12425 Sold for $306,515 2024 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale | |
| 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe Chassis#:30837s103415 Sold for $302,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
| 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Drophead Coupé by Mulliner Park Ward Chassis#:BC102LXA Sold for $302,292 2024 RM Sothebys : Monaco | |
| 1993 Porsche 911 RS America Sold for $302,000 2024 Broad Arrow : Porsche Air|Water |
1953 Kircher Special
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
1953 Kircher Special Vehicle Profiles
