Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
Kurtis Kraft was an American designer and builder of racecars. The company built midget cars, quarter-midgets, sports cars, sprint cars, Bonneville cars, and USAC Championship cars. It was founded by Frank Kurtis when he built his own midget car chassis in the late 1930s. Kurtis also built some very low fiberglass-bodied two-seat sports car under his name in Glendale, California, between 1949 and 1955. About 36 cars had been made when the license was sold to Earl 'Madman' Muntz, who built the Muntz Jet.
In 1954 and 1955, road versions of their Indianapolis racers were offered. Kurtis Kraft created over 550 ready-to-run midget cars, and 600 kits. The Kurtis Kraft chassis midget car featured a smaller version of the Offenhauser motor. Kurtis Kraft also created 120 Indianapolis 500 cars, including five winners.
The 500S was a sports car built by Kurtis Kraft. Though very limited in production - just 24 were built - it completely dominated west coast racing in its heyday, proving nearly unbeatable. This example features a 350 cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 engine, with three dual barrel carburetors, producing an estimated 400 horsepower.
This particular 500S was built by Frank Kurtis and his son Arlen for their own personal use. Featured on Dennis Gage's My Classic Car in 2008, it was displayed at the 2005 Quail Motorsports Gathering and campaigned at the 2011 California Mille and the Colorado Grand. This car is fully documented with a handwritten letter by Arlen Kurtis describing the build process.
In 1954 and 1955, road versions of their Indianapolis racers were offered. Kurtis Kraft created over 550 ready-to-run midget cars, and 600 kits. The Kurtis Kraft chassis midget car featured a smaller version of the Offenhauser motor. Kurtis Kraft also created 120 Indianapolis 500 cars, including five winners.
The 500S was a sports car built by Kurtis Kraft. Though very limited in production - just 24 were built - it completely dominated west coast racing in its heyday, proving nearly unbeatable. This example features a 350 cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 engine, with three dual barrel carburetors, producing an estimated 400 horsepower.
This particular 500S was built by Frank Kurtis and his son Arlen for their own personal use. Featured on Dennis Gage's My Classic Car in 2008, it was displayed at the 2005 Quail Motorsports Gathering and campaigned at the 2011 California Mille and the Colorado Grand. This car is fully documented with a handwritten letter by Arlen Kurtis describing the build process.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1954 Kurtis Kraft 500S Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Kurtis Kraft 500S
(Data based on Model Year 1954 sales)
1954 Kurtis 500S Roadster Chassis#: KK500035 Sold for USD$123,200 2021 Worldwide Auctioneers : The 14th Annual Auburn Auction | |
1954 Kurtis Kraft 500S Continuation Sold for USD$90,750 2019 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1954 Kurtis Kraft 500S Continuation Chassis#: KK500S038K Sold for USD$90,750 2018 Mecum : Monterey | |
1954 Kurtis 500S Chassis#: KK500S024 Sold for USD$112,750 2018 Gooding & Co. : Amelia Island | |
1954 Kurtis 500S Chassis#: KK500S024 Sold for USD$170,500 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | |
1954 Kurtis-Kraft 500S Continuation Chassis#: KK500S-038-K Sold for USD$134,800 2012 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Sale | |
1954 Kurtis 500S Roadster Chassis#: KK500-035 Sold for USD$121,000 2011 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island | |
1954 Kurtis 500S Chassis#: KK500S024 Sold for USD$165,000 2011 The Scottsdale Auction - Gooding & Company |
Kurtis Kraft 500Ss That Failed To Sell At Auction
1954 Kurtis Kraft 500S's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1954 Kurtis 500S Roadster | 2022 Mecum : Kissimmee | ||||
1954 Kurtis 500S Roadster | 2020 Mecum : Indy | ||||
1954 Kurtis 500S Roadster | 5686031395 | 2019 Mecum : Monterey | $400,000 | $450,000 | $600,000 |
1954 Kurtis 500S Roadster | 2017 Mecum : Las Vegas | $85,000 | |||
1954 Kurtis-Kraft 500S Continuation | 2015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select | ||||
1954 Kurtis 500S Roadster | 5686031395 | 2009 Mecum Monterey Auction | $315,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $126,094 range.
1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 327/365 Chassis#:194375S106995 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:124379N709648 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
2023 FORD SHELBY SUPER SNAKE Chassis#:1FA6P8CF8P5305415 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
2020 PORSCHE 718 SPYDER Chassis#:WP0CC2A8XLS240606 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1958 BUICK SPECIAL CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:4E6021757 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 283/250 CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:E57S100647 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1969 Dodge Charger R/T SE Chassis#:xs29l9b178343 Sold for $126,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1965 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Chassis#:194375s105172 Sold for $126,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 Custom Chassis#:578l14426 Sold for $126,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Chassis#:136370b139640 Sold for $126,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1957 Chevrolet Nomad Wagon Chassis#:vc57t248245 Sold for $126,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1990 BMW Z1 Roadster avec Hard-top Chassis#:WBABA91050AL05560 Sold for $125,991 2024 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1935 Lagonda 4½-Litre M45 Rapide T9 Tourer Chassis#:Z11399 Sold for $124,949 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1966 Porsche 911 2.0-Litre SWB FIA Coupé Chassis#:303837 Sold for $124,949 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1972 GMC JIMMY CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:TKE182S503686 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 396 CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:138677B212633 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1970 DODGE CHALLENGER CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:JH23G0E102369 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2004 FERRARI 360 SPIDER F1 Chassis#:ZFFYT53A040139435 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2022 FORD SHELBY GT500 Chassis#:1FA6P8SJ4N5503010 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:E57S103718 Sold for $126,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ |
1954 Kurtis Kraft 500S
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Kurtis Kraft 500S model years