Kurtis/Epperly Indy Car

Posted on December 19, 2024 by classiccarweekly

1959 Kurtis/Epperly-Offenhauser Indy Car

Offered by Mecum | Kissimmee, Florida | January 2025

This car was built as a Kurtis KK500 for the 1959 Indy Car season. After it ended, Quin Epperly modified it for use in 1960. What a combo of builders to have on one car. And it worked, as A.J. Foyt used it for 1960 to win the championship.

Power is provided by a 4.2-liter Offenhauser inline-four. The race history for this chassis includes:

1959 Indianapolis 500 – 29th, DNF (with Jud Larson)

The car finished third at Milwaukee with Don Freeland in 1959 before Epperly got his hands on it. Foyt had podiums at Milwaukee and Trenton in 1960 in this car. It is very unclear from the catalog if it was at Indy in 1960 or not. This Bowes Seal Fast Special has a more recent restoration, and you can read more about it here.

Epperly Indy Roadster

Posted on August 26, 2020 by classiccarweekly

1961 Epperly-Offenhauser Indianapolis

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Auburn, Indiana | September 3-5, 2020

Quin Epperly is another legendary mid-century name associated with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His cars first showed up at the 500 in 1955 and would continue to run there until the mid-engined revolution took hold.

This car is another Offy-powered roadster, originally equipped with a 255ci inline-four. The competition history for this chassis includes:

1961 Indianapolis 500 – 33rd, DNF (with Don Branson)
1962 Indianapolis 500 – 5th (with Bobby Marshman)
1963 Indianapolis 500 – 28th, DNF (with Bud Tingelstad)

Like so many other Indy roadsters, it was once part of the Bob McConnell collection for a number of years. It has been restored to its 1962 500 livery. It really looks the part of bad-ass Indy roadster, doesn’t it? The pre-sale estimate is $350,000-$450,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $407,000.

Epperly-Offenhauser Streamliner

Posted on August 23, 2019 by classiccarweekly

1955 Epperly-Offenhauser Streamliner

Offered by Worldwide Auctioneers | Auburn, Indiana | August 31, 2019

Though not as well-known, Quin Epperly is a name that sits right there with Frank Kurtis, A.J. Watson, Eddie Kuzma, and Lujie Lesovsky when it comes to legendary builders of race cars during the “Roadster” era of the Indianapolis 500. Epperly actually worked for Kurtis before opening his own shop in the mid-1950s. His cars appeared at Indy from 1955 through 1960 and beyond.

The history of this car is interesting. Howard Keck had just won two consecutive 500s with Bill Vukovich driving his cars and was going for number three in 1955. Epperly had designed this streamlined special for Vuky to drive, but it wasn’t completed in time for the race. Instead, Vukovich drove a Kurtis for another owner. He was killed while leading the race.

Epperly completed the car with Keck’s help (money) anyway and installed a 385 horsepower, 4.4-liter Offenhauser inline-four instead of the V8 that was originally planned. IMS president Tony Hulman knew of the car and wanted it in the ’56 race, paying the entry fee for it in advance. But with Vukovich’s death, Keck lost all interest in racing and the car ended up stored in his shop until 1985.

The car became more or less legend until it was purchased and restored in 1990. And now it’s being offered for public sale. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $385,000.