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1952 Kurtis 500A

Kurtis built four examples of the 500A cars, the first two used Offenhauser engines while the second two cars built later in the season had 270 cubic inch Chrysler Hemi powerplants. The two Hemi-powered cars are known as the 'Wolcott cars.' They first ran an experimental 336 Chrysler engine, but the AAA sanctioning had the displacement cut back to 270 cubic inches.

The Kurtis Kraft 500A used a tubular and lightened formed sheet steel-structured type chassis clothed with handcrafted aluminum body panels and rode on Halibrand magnesium knock-off wheels. The suspension was a live axle in the front and rear suspended on torsion bars and Halibrand quick-change rear end.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: KK500A/355-52

This Wolcott Special was built by Frank Kurtis and Herb Porter in the fall of 1952 with an experimental A-311 Chrysler Fuel-injected Hemi. It ran at Indianapolis in October and November of 1952 with Joie James at the wheel. It set records and lap times of 140 mph.

AAA downsized the engine rules to 270 CID and Frank Kurtis modified the engine to conform. He entered three cars; two Wolcotts and one Belanger. The No. 25, driven by George Connor, was the first alternate at 135.239 mph in 1953.

1954 - 8th place at Indy, driven by Joe Russo, Ansted Rotary Special

1955 - Did not qualify

1956 - 17th place Indy, driven by Duke Dinsmore, Shannon Bros. Special.

This car, one of four 500As built, was assembled as an experimental machine by Herb Porter and Frank Kurtis in the spring and summer of 1952, under the auspices of Indianapolis Chrysler dealer Roger Wolcott and the Chrysler experimental engineering department. It was to be entered in the 1953 Indy 500 under the contemporary AAA Championship stock block rules allowing 340 cubic-inch engines. It was originally fitted with a factory experiment 'A-311 program' 331 cubic-inch, fuel-injected Dodge 'Firepower' HEMI engine, putting out about 410 horsepower. Wolcott and Porter took it to the Indianapolis Speedway in the fall of 1952 for testing. Driven for several days and about 200 laps by Joie James and others, the car ran over 137 mph (faster than Bill Vukovich in the previous 500) and immediately impressed all who witnessed the tests. When the word got out, other Indy entrants complained and the AAA lowered the stock block displacement requirement to 270 cubic inches. Chrysler extensively modified the engine and supplied it to Wolcott and Murrell Belanger for the 1953 Indy 500. Unfortunately, due to the loss of torque and internal strain on the pushrod engine running at 7,000 RPM, none of the entrants were able to make the show. Chrysler chose to withdraw the cars rather than accept the change.

This #335-52 is almost a completely original Kurtis 500A fitted with an early stock block Chrysler 331 Hemi 'Firepower' engine.

Roadster
Engine number: 164

The car was originally built by Frank Kurtis in 1952 for Auto Shippers owner Eugene Casaroll. Neal Carter tried, but failed to qualify in the car at Indianapolis in 1952. In 1953 Walt Faulkner qualified 14th and finished 17th after mechanical and tire problems. Troy Ruttman drove the car to 4th place at Indianapolis in 1954 and then the car was retired. The current owners acquired the car in 2013.