Kurtis Kraft created 120 Indianapolis 500 cars, and by 1955, the Frank Kurtis-built cars had won four of the last five years at Indianapolis. Bob 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.
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 childbirth. 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 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 lose 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.
Monoposto
By 1955, Frank Kurtis's 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.
Monoposto
Murrell Belanger entered this 1955 Kurtis 500-D with Conze running gear in the Indianapolis 500 in 1955 and 1956. The first year, Art Cross drove the car to a 17th-place finish, after holding the lead at one point in the race, and the next year Tony Bettenhausen ran in the top 5 before a fire under the seat dropped him out of contention. He finished 22nd in that race.
This Kurtis-Kraft 500D Belanger Motors #99 Indy car has been restored to the 1956 year when Tony Bettenhausen started 5th at Indy after he qualified at 144.602 mph. In 1955, driver Art Cross led 24 laps but finished 17th. It is powered by a 270 cubic-inch Offy. Like so many Indy Roadsters, it ended up as a super modified at Oswego before restoration.
Monoposto
Although nicknamed 'The Pink Zink,' the correct name for the color of the 1955 Indianapolis 500 winning Kurtis-Kraft 500D was, according to car owner John S. Zink Jr., 'tropical rose.' Starting back in 14th, Bob Sweikert charged to the lead by lap 50 and led a total of 86 laps, including the last 41 in succession. This victory was the first of four as chief mechanic for A.J. Watson, who at the victory banquet gave much credit to Sweikert. Following qualifications, Watson had been called back to California on a family emergency, and it was Sweikert himself who single-handedly tore down and race-prepped the Offenhauser engine that won.