1953 Kurtis 500B
Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Auburn, Indiana | September 3-5, 2020
Frank Kurtis was a legendary race car designer, and his 500B was an iteration of his earlier 500/500A cars. They first hit the track in about 1953, and they would be competitive for a few years thereafter, although they would eventually be topped by later, greater cars.
It’s powered by an Offenhauser inline-four, and the competition history for this chassis includes:
- 1953 Indianapolis 500 – 10th (with Jimmy Davies)
- 1954 Indianapolis 500 – DNQ (with Davies)
- 1955 Indianapolis 500 – 3rd (with Davies)
- 1956 Indianapolis 500 – 28th, DNF (with Al Herman)
This car was formerly part of the Bob McConnell collection, and it wears its 1955/1956 “Bardahl Special” livery. Only eight examples of the 500B were built, and this was the last. It’s an Indy podium finisher and is expected to bring between $350,000-$450,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.
Update: Sold $550,000.