Features Frank Kurtis-Kurtis Kraft picture thread

I was working in Bakersfield in '92 building a dealership for Penske. Someone knew Arlens son and I was able to visit with Arlen, Very nice man. Here's a pic of him and a couple of cars he had there.

 

HERE IS ARLINS HIGH SCHOOL CAR

 

Question
Was a member of the Offenhauser family married at one time to a daughter of Frank Kurtis?
Back east in the old Gas-O-line Alley day's one of the guy's mentioned that he was related to the family.

Jimbo

 

Frank had one son and one daughter. Alona never married.

 

Just purchase this KK Midget that had been stored in a barn for 25 years. It's the John Ramp Special driven by Leroy Warriner for the 1953 AAA National and Midwest Championships. Glad to have it.

 

Rob just bought this 500S which will be joining the Specials in our pits for the vintage races in Northern California.

 

Lucky DOG! Gary

 

Nice looking car.

It is not the same body pictured and (body) is not a Kurtis. Perhaps it had major surgery and/or replacement during it's life which most did.

What engine (if any) is in it at this point?

 

From late '54 early '55 Santa Ana drags.

 

Jimmy B, that is probably Sam Parriott in the first of his two Kurtises

 

just found this great post. love those old racers - not so much after roll bars added. GREAT POST.

 

That is for sure Sam Parriott.

 

Post # 68 is the only streamlined Kurtis roadster I have seen. The lines of that car are perfect in my opinion, especially with the lower capsule version. It was built in 1955 for Chapman Root for Jimmy Daywalt to drive at Indy but he did not like the fighter jet type enclosed cockpit. Nascar pioneer Marshall Teague tried to qualify it at Indy but failed. When Daytona International Speedway opened in February 1959 Teague was one of the first to try out the racing surface. He believed the World Closed Course Record could be set there. In an attempt to bring the record home from Italy he died in a crash.

 

hello,
in 1960 at lions, this kurtis roadster was very fast and won its class against corvettes.
thanks,
jnaki

 

Gene Shipley from Sun Valley, CA?
This is Greg Dinsmore

 

That is Sam Parriott in the video.

 

Here's a few pics of an Offy powered Kurtis Kraft midget that I did the lettering on last year .

 

FYI - There is a Facebook page dedicated to all things Kurtis called "Kurtis Kraft Racing and Sports Cars". It's a closed group, so you'll need to be a member to post and view but lots of good info.

Sent from my SM-G930V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I had to ck this group discussion to see if it was mentioned yet, but I see not. On Dec 5th, Arlen Kurtis passed away. Godspeed Arlen, and cheers to a well played life.

 

You can contact Chris Kurtis on Facebook, he has them. He may be a little distracted right now though, his Mother just passed away.

 

Here is the finished product of one of those bodies that you built.

 

pic with my dad

 

We're still putting the details together for another gathering of Kurtis and Muntz owners, coming up on June 23/24 2018 in Grants Pass Oregon. Let me know if you're interested, and we'll get an invitation and information packet to you ....
It's a fun group, and the guy who runs the registry will be there, too.

 

Thanks but way to far for me

 

No excuse. We have at least one fellow from North Carolina that attends all of these events... Perhaps you could give him a run for his money on taking home the coveted long-distance award?

 

great thread...thanks to all you historians. I've long been in love with these cars.

 

Hey Ed I have a Kit Kar Chassis I am building with most of a 500S body would like to know of any events on the west coast. James

 

Did you ever post the kurtis photos?