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1956 Kurtis Kraft 500S

Roadster
Chassis number: KK500 S015

Like all of the cars built by Frank Kurtis, the 500S is a healthy slice of the American automotive pie. Kurtis Kraft Midgets, based in Los Angeles, CA, created a new, uniquely American sport, but the Kurtis chassis had dominated the Indianapolis 500 for nearly two decades. According to historian Alan Girdler, from 1950 until 1964, every winner of the 500 was either built by Frank Kurtis or directly influenced by his designs. As the heritage shows in this example, the 500S profile is pure Indy Roadster, and its chassis is an Indy car design right down to its torsion bar suspension and quick change rear end. The build quality and details of each of the 500s are also worthy of an Indy car, showing it was planned by a man who had done this sort of thing many times before. Fewer than 30 of the 500S models were ever produced. Many, like this example, were sold as kits with complete chassis, wheels, and suspension parts. In this particular instance, Cadillac motor mounts accompanied the kit when ordered by the original owner, Darrel W. Johnson of Ferndale, MI. Although started by Johnson, it remained unfinished for many years until purchased by Warren Wetterlund of California, who commissioned its completion of John Wyals and noted hot rod builder Roy Brizon. As was the custom of the time, a lighter Chevrolet engine was substituted for the original more powerful Caddy. Everything on the body and suspension panel layout was left as Kurtis intended for its original customer in 1956.

Frank Kurtis's infatuation with automobiles began at an early age. His father owned a blacksmith shop located in Pueblo, Colorado, that repaired automobiles and horse-and-buggy. The family later moved to Los Angeles, CA, where Frank got a job working with Don Lee Cadillac, after lying about his age. By the 1930's, Frank was designing, building, and repairing racers in his four-car garage located behind his house.

In 1941 he created a car to be entered in the Indianapolis race which was driven by Sam Hanks. Near the mid-1940's, he had created two other racers designed for Indy. The first was for Ross Page, and the second was the Novi Special. The Novi V8 Specials were racing cars designed to compete at Indianapolis from 1941 through 1965. These were very fast and powerful machines that had a reputation for their handling, which had claimed the lives of two drivers.

During the 1940's, Kurtis fostered a reputation for his midget and Indy racers. In 1946, the Kurtis Miller Ross Page Special was created and was ready to compete in the first Indy 500 after World War II. The rear faring was constructed of Plexiglas and powered by a 183 cubic-inch Offenhauser engine. It competed in the 1946-1948 Indianapolis 500 races.

By 1947 he had created the Kurtis-Kraft Special, his personal entrant in the 1948 Indy race. This one-off was built specifically to Frank Kurtis's specification and desire. During the 1948 season, it carried Frank to a 9th-place finish at Indy and 12th in points. For the 1949 season, under the name of Wynn's Oil Special, it was driven by Johnny Parson and wearing the number 1 on its side, to a first overall finish at Indianapolis. The vehicle was later sold to Jim Robbins, who drove it in the 1951 Indianapolis race where he finished with an impressive 2nd overall.

During the early 1950s, Kurtis continued to build Indianapolis and midget racers. He also built sports cars, which later evolved into the Muntz Road Jet. By 1952, the majority of cars entered in the Indianapolis race were designed and built by Kurtis Kraft.

In 1952, Herb Porter and Frank Kurtis built the Wolcott Special, also known as the Kurtis 500A. It ran at Indianapolis in 1952, driven by Joie James, where it set records and lap times of 140 mph.

The 500 S was constructed in 1953, where it quickly proved its potential at sporting events around the country. The 500 S was quickly followed by the 500 M. In total, there were about 30 examples of the 500 S produced between 1953 through 1955. Most sat on a wheelbase from 88 to 100 inches in length. The engine was various V8's from American Companies such as Chrysler, Buick, Cadillac, Lincoln, Mercury, Chevrolet, and DeSoto. Because of this, the specifications varied greatly. The body was constructed of aluminum or fiberglass and sat atop a ladder frame. The suspension was a live axle in the front and rear with torsion bars in the front. The cost of these cars was just under $5000. The 500S was used by privateers and the factory for racing endeavors. Drivers such as Briggs Cunningham, Frank McGurk, Jack Ensley, and Mickey Thompson drove a 500S. In 1954 Ensley won the SCCA B-Modified National Championship.

There were six 500 X cars produced during the mid-1950's. The cars featured a four-bar torsion suspension, hand-formed aluminum panels, and a 364 cubic-inch Buick nailhead engine with Hilborn fuel injection.

In 1956, Frank left the Kurtis-Kraft Company and his business partners to begin his new company called Frank Kurtis Company. The company continued to build midget roadsters, go-karts, and sports cars. Since then, the company has shifted its focus to designing airplanes. Contracts with Lockheed Corporation lead to the construction of Start Carts for the SR-71 Blackbird.

In 1968 Frank retired from the company leaving his son Arlen in charge.

During Frank Kurtis's illustrious career, he created vehicles that dominated the midget racing series, racers that filled the grid at Indianapolis, and sports cars that were street-legal Indianapolis racer variants. His custom creations, such as his 1941 Buick, was sensational, which ultimately led to the Muntz Jet automobiles.

by Dan Vaughan