In their December, 1953, issue Road and Track proclaimed that “Frank Kurtis of Glendale, California, deserves full credit for being the first man in America to attempt to produce an American production sports car.”
In the early 1950’s Kurtis Kraft Indy roadsters dominated the 500 mile race. Billy Vukovich won both the 1953 and 1954 races with Kurtis’ taking the first three positions each year.
Kurtis built the 500S to meet the FIA rules for sports cars. The 500S is the Vukovich KK500 Indy winning roadster, widened for two cozy passengers and fitted with fenders and headlights to produce a race car which can be driven on the street. Drawings by John Bond in October of 1953 show the basic Indianapolis frame with typical Kurtis combination Hat-section flanged side beams and tubular cross-members. Approximately 26 500S models were eventually produced.
http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/132 ... 8-Cylinderhttp://www.forgottenfiberglass.com/tech ... ober-1953/My next project?
It's right in line with a Seven, just chunkier....... With a tube front axle.
It would be interesting to see a FEA study on this chassis and see what chassis flex there is..........