The Kurtis Kraft Company was founded by designer Frank Kurtis. They were first and foremost a builder of race cars. In the mid-1950s, the Kurtis 500X was built with a total production of 6 to 12 cars. They were made for road racing with Kurtis designed 'space' frames and an all-alloy body.
After driving A. K. Miller's hot rod, nicknamed El Caballo de Hierro, in the 1954 Carrera Panamerica, Miller and Doug Hudson turned their attention to the grueling Mille Miglia. Miller's second car, nicknamed Caballo II, was built on a Kurtis X chassis. It was powered by a Chrysler Hemi engine donated by Briggs Cunningham, and used a variety of Lincoln components. With European style and an aluminum body built by Sutton's Body Emporium of Hollywood, California, it was good for over 176 mph. This car entered the 1957 Mille Miglia as car 524, and is the only American sports racer to ever enter Italy's historic road race.
Some very famous drivers are known to have driven this car. Such as, Ak Miller, Bobby Unser, and Jerry Unser. Sadly, the car disappeared for many years before being discovered in the Mojave Desert.
Now fully restored, the car made its first public appearance in over 60 years at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
27 окт 2024
