1954 KURTIS KRAFT 500C

There was once upon a time a special breed of race car designer, giants in their field, regular winners at circuits such as the Indianapolis Speedway. Frank Kurtis is one such giant and his Kraft cars were legendary. This is one of his best designs.

The Merz Engineering Special Kurtis 500C is Championship chassis number 376, built by Kurtis Kraft in 1954. It is one of nine 500C model roadsters built. This car is one of the few original, unaltered Indianapolis Roadsters in existence, as it still retains the original chrome moly frame, bodywork and chassis components.

This car was entered at Indianapolis from 1954-1959. It made the 500 Race five times. Fred Agabashian, who preferred Kurtis Kraft race cars and assisted Frank Kurtis with technical input, started 24th in the Merz Engineering Special in the 1954 500 and worked his way up to a 6th place finish. The next year in 1955, Walt Faulkner finished 5th in the car at Indianapolis.

The car was also driven by Jimmy Reece, Johnny Parsons, Ed Elisian, Gene Hartley and Red Amick from 1956 to 1959. From 1960 to 1962, it was entered in various USAC Championship Car races until its ultimate retirement from competition in 1962.

The engine is an inline 4 cylinder 255 cubic inch 400 horsepower plant capable of hitting 163 mph mated to a 2 speed Offenhauser manual transmission. The car has been restored to its race day appearance at Indianapolis in 1954. Gorgeous!