Cheers or Jeers: 1941 Kurtis Buick

This car is known as the "Kurtis Buick Special", and was the forerunner for the Kurtis Sports Car. Frank bought the car after it had been totaled with less than 500 miles on the odometer. After acquiring the car, he stored it away until 1946. In 1946 he began the build. Frank designed and built this car for himself and it became his personal driver. He discarded the complete Buick body and kept only the chassis. A four passenger convertible body was hand formed out of aluminum panels over a steel tubing framework. The cowl and windshield frame were custom aluminum casting. The grille was built from tubing, and the car was fit with a removable padded top. The build was completed in 1948, and it looked quite futuristic compared to the rest of the prewar designed cars of Detroit. Frank drove the car regularly, including a trip to Indianapolis in 1948. In 1949 he advertised it for sale in Motor Trend. The ad was snapped up by Earl Muntz who went on to buy out the Kurtis Sports Car Assembly line. So in effect, this car is the prototype for the Muntz Jet. The stylistic connection is quite obvious. The car was Featured in Mechanics Illustrated and Motor Trend, original copies of which accompany the car as well as a large binder of documentation and restoration photos.

With a known history from new, the car floated from collector to collector until it was acquired by a noted restorer 3 years ago. The car is just out of a comprehensive ground up restoration to top show standards, runs and drives without fault, and is ready for the Show Circuit. It has only been shown locally at the Indy World of Wheels, where it of course won Best Custom Car. The car has been invited to many prestigous concours, but has yet to be shown at the national level.

This is a rare chance to get an important piece of American Racing and California Custom History. This car would make a perfect centerpiece at any Museum, public or private.