↓
Home Menu ↓
Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • HOME
  • WELCOME
  • ABOUT US
  • FORGOTTEN FIBERGLASS
  • SPORT CUSTOMS
  • STREAMLINED DREAMS
  • MARQUES
  • BUYER’S GUIDE
  • THE ART OF DAN PALATNIK
  • MORE
  • SOCIAL MEDIA / NEWSLETTER (SUBSCRIBE)
  • SEARCH TOOLS
  • SEARCH STORIES
  • SEARCH CATEGORIES
  • ASK A QUESTION
  • LEO LYONS STORY
  • JOHNNY DARK
  • SHOWCASE CARS
  • WE BUILD SPORTS CARS
  • OUR AFFILIATES
  • FOR SALE: MERCHANDISE
  • FOR SALE: CARS

Undiscovered Classics

Undiscovered Classics

previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
Slider
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
Slider

Category Archives: Kurtis Kraft

Kurtis-Kraft

Kurtis – Kraft Coming  Soon … Continue reading →

1947 and 1948 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet Scale Models Now Available

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Geoff HackerJune 1, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… Great news…..you can now create your own Undiscovered Classics collection and save some garage space while doing so.   Thanks to the efforts of Alex Kotyar of Esval Models and some keen rendering work of artist extraordinaire Dan Palatnik, scale models of the 1947 and 1948 … Continue reading →

A Kurtis Coupe: Road & Track, March 1954

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… Here’s a great story for your Kurtis fans out there.  It’s a very interesting proposal from Road & Track, most likely written by John Bond who worked for a short while in the late 1940s for Frank Kurtis.  … Continue reading →

Les Zoller’s 1955 Allied Kurtis Blackhawk KK500 #43

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
10

Hi Gang… Tracking back the history of the cars we have today is always exciting, and today’s story is no exception.  Les Zoller contacted me recently and shared with me that he had owned and restored Allied Kurtis KK500 chassis … Continue reading →

Another Allied “Cisitalia” Found! Kurtis-Kraft Chassis #20

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
6

Hi Gang… The cars are out there (ala the X-Files tv show…) that’s what I always tell folks.  And with handcrafted specials from the 50s, they seem to be popping up all the time 🙂 As usual, this story involved many … Continue reading →

Kurtis-Kraft Allied “Cisitalia” In No-Reserve RM Auction On May 2, 2015

Posted on February 15, 2015 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
2

Hi Gang… More and more restored vintage fiberglass sports cars from the 50s – what we call “Forgotten Fiberglass” – are showing up at Concours, on TV, in articles, and now…at auction.  Let’s check out an upcoming auction which features … Continue reading →

Rich Taylor’s Book: The American Sports Racer – From Kurtis to Cobra (1979)

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 26, 2020
2

Hi Gang… As we continue to uncover the history of handcrafted cars in the 40s and 50s, we collate, organize, and share what we learn continuing to build a comprehensive database showing the nationwide – and worldwide – movement in … Continue reading →

America’s Production Sports Cars in 1953: Speed Age Magazine – Special Edition

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Geoff HackerMay 19, 2020
7

Hi Gang… We’re working hard here at Forgotten Fiberglass to compile and archive a copy of every postwar automotive magazine from 1947 to 1960.  These are essential to documenting the era and the stories that abound on building your own … Continue reading →

Kurtis-Kraft: World’s Largest Builders of Professional Racing Cars – And Smaller “Midget” Race Cars Too!

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
16

Hi Gang… Here’s how Frank Kurtis opened up in the sales flyer in today’s story and introduced his company to potential customers: “The Frank Kurtis Company, world’s largest builder of professional racing cars for over 25 years, maintains leadership through … Continue reading →

Supercharged Kurtis Nash 500M: Bob Christie’s Carrera Panamerica Sports Car

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
8

Hi Gang… What a great story and fantastic fiber car of yesteryear – and it survives today as a beautifully restored sports car. Gordon White wrote of this car in his 2001 book, Kurtis-Kraft: Masterworks of Speed and Style, and … Continue reading →

Build Yourself a Kurtis Style Chassis: Hot Rod Magazine, July 1954

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
3

Hi Gang… If you were going to build a chassis for your fiberglass bodied sports car back in the ‘50s – why not build one designed by Frank Kurtis?  Frank made it easy for everyone interested.  If you wanted to … Continue reading →

The Salem GMC Kurtis Byers SR100: John Furlow’s Restored Beauty (Sportscar Specials, Trend Book 178, 1958)

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
6

Hi Gang… The clamor to share more of the history of John Furlow’s “Salem GMC Kurtis Byers” has been heard.  Today’s article is from the ’58 book by Motor Trend called “Sportscar Specials” – authored by Bob Rolofson. Let’s see … Continue reading →

The Mysterious, Beautiful Byers – Featuring John Furlow’s Kurtis 500KK SR-100 Sports Car

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
2

Hi Gang… From 1960 thru the year 2000, the story of Jim Byers and his sports cars – the SR-100 and CR-90 – was left virtually untold.   Along the way Harold Pace and John Furlow came on the scene, and recognition … Continue reading →

Kurtis Kraftsmanship: Auto Sport Review, May 1952

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
1

Hi Gang… I love first person accounts of history – and this one’s an early review of the history of Kurtis-Kraft – from 1952 no less.  Talk about early! This article appeared two years before the ’54 introduction of the … Continue reading →

Kurtis-Kraft Sports Cars: Sports Cars Trend Book #130 (1956)

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… This is an interesting book because of it’s date – 1956.  It gives us a window into what was still happening in terms of fiberglass sports cars and other interesting facets of automotive history at the time.  Here … Continue reading →

The Birth of the Kurtis Sports Car (KSC): Speed Age January 1948 and Road and Track December 1949

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
4

Hi Gang… Questions, Questions, Questions…..I love questions 🙂 What was the first postwar kit or “assembled sports car’ in America? Who made the first full-size “production” sports car in postwar America? Which postwar sports car could be ordered with a … Continue reading →

GMC Under Glass: The Dick Lane Sorrell SR100 With A Kurtis 500KK Chassis Too!

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 23, 2020
4

Hi Gang… Now we’re talking! A Sorrell SR-100 with a powerful GMC six cylinder….Kurtis 500KK chassis….flip front for easy access….who could ask for more?  Not many.  And I’m sure this would have been considered an idea build in all the … Continue reading →

Frank Kurtis and Kurtis Kraft: Postwar American Coachbuilding Royalty: Car Life December, 1961

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 17, 2020
3

Hi Gang… We’re in search of detail and history here at Forgotten Fiberglass.  Either directly from the folks and their families who were creating the history, or from first person accounts as narrated by authors in vintage automotive magazines.  Today’s … Continue reading →

Chassis Up Guys! Get Yours While They Last….The 1953 Kurtis 500 KK Frame: Hop Up, October 1953

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… Consider what it must have been like at the start of building of your own sports car back in the early 50’s.  I imagine many conversations went something like this…. “Hey!  Check out this cool Victress/Glasspar/Woodill/Meteor/Byers/Allied body I … Continue reading →

The Debut of the Kurtis 500-M: Press Release December 15th, 1954

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
4

Hi Gang… Rick D’louhy and I can’t stand ambiguity. Smoke and mirrors are not our friend.  Conjecture and wild tales while fun – cause irreparable harm to the truth.  Clear, precise, first-person facts are what we’re after, and that’s one … Continue reading →

The Cars of the Milwaukee Masterpiece: Ben Warren’s Kurtis Kraft 500 M

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 23, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… As promised earlier, I’ll show “more” and talk “less” about each of the cars that appeared at the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance on August 28th, 2011.  Click here to read more about the success of vintage ‘glass … Continue reading →

The Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance: A Milestone in Vintage ‘Glass

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 31, 2020
1

Hi Gang… Well we did it – and we owe it to all of you who made this happen. The visionaries who saw what such a show could mean.  The car owners and families willing to endure intense restoration schedules to … Continue reading →

The Kurtis 500 M (McCullough) Debuts – One Fast, Smart Cadillac Powered Special For 1955

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 20, 2020
2

Hi Gang… Let’s talk Kurtis. Frank Kurtis worked for Don Lee, a famous and successful Cadillac dealer in 1930’s California, and created some of the first custom cars in prewar America.  He also built race cars back then, and that’s where his … Continue reading →

The Celebration of Fiberglass Continues: “Fabulous Fiberglass” at the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance in August 2011

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Geoff HackerMay 31, 2020
Reply

Hi Gang… I have exciting news to share! Just on the heels of 2010 where cars of the “Forgotten Fiberglass” class debuted at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and “Fantasies in Fiberglass” was a 6 month display at the Petersen … Continue reading →

Explore  Sidebar  Below

Cars  For  Sale

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider



  View More American Specials For Sale: Click Here

Use  Our  Search  Tools

Learn How To Best Use Our Site Click Here
Use Our "Story Archive" Click Here
Use Our "Category List" Click Here
Search Our Archives Click Here
Search Fiberglass Cars - Coming Soon
Search Sport Custom Cars - Coming Soon
Search Teardrop Cars - Coming Soon


Best of the Best Showcase

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider


View All Showcase Cars Click Here

Three  Key  Articles  To  Read

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider



Top  10+  Videos  To  Watch


previous arrow
next arrow
Slider


Click Arrows Above To View More Videos

Undiscovered Classics Has Been Featured On "Jay Leno's Garage", Ray Evernham's "AmeriCarna" on Velocity, Autoweek TV, Tom Cotter's "The Barn Find Hunter" on Hagerty, "Sticker Shock" on The Discovery Channel and More



View Our YouTube Channel  Click Here
Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel  Click Here

View  Our  Posters  (Landscape)

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider

Upcoming  Events

Amelia  Island  Concours  d'Elegance:

Class 1: Sports Cars of the 50s
* 3 Cars: 1953 Maverick Sportster, 1953 Woodill Wildfire (Johnny Dark), 1952 Glasspar G2

Class 2: Weird and Wonderful
* 1 Car: 1954 Frazer Custom

Story:  Coming Soon

March 4-7, 2021: Click Here

View  Our  Posters  (Portrait)

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider

The  Latest  Comments

  • Richard Gray on The 1970 Can Am 1 By Bolide Motors – An Extension of Borg-Warner and the CRVYes Russ, I would like a copy of the Real Story. I remember this car
  • Steveo on Work Begins on Charles Le Menestrel’s 1953 Allied Swallow CoupeSo that first black and white magazine photo was from an Australian mag?
  • Pamela J Hirschhorn on Which Fiberglass Sports Car Appeared First in 1950’s Magazines? Meet the 1951 Lancer by Eric IrwinHi, I think I found a lost Lancer!!! Please check out the video: https://northeastwheelsevents.com/video/forgotten-fiberglass-lancer-a-fiberglass-body-kit-from-the-early I
  • Fatbug57 on The Brazilian Ventura – Full Brochure: 1978 – 1988L’Automobile
  • Gene Simon on Questions To The EditorLarry, Have you seen this article by Geoff? https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/forgotten-fiberglass/the-1953-donald-jones-special-1953-pebble-beach-road-race-participant/
  • R on The 1970 Can Am 1 By Bolide Motors – An Extension of Borg-Warner and the CRVI worked for Dan Deaver in the 90's in chesterfield. We had (that?) Car in
  • Guido Enderle on Kellison’s Fame Heads Overseas: Welcome Our Newest Member From DubaiHello Frank, I bought your Kellison from the person who bought it from you, Mr.
  • Peter Tennant on The Coachbuilt Cars of Cliff Byfield – A Story of Australian ExcellenceHi, Re- the Byfield Clubman, the car was used by Cliff's wife until November 1998
  • Stolf on The Prewar Willys – The Basis For America’s First Postwar Fiberglass Sports CarI am trying to compile a ridiculously complete list of pickup trucks available when production
  • jJimmy on Nick Whitlow Shares His Restoration of a 1967 AMT PiranhaWhat is the Color Is it in 1967 to 68???? The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Raiders  of  the  Lost  Cars

Handcrafted Cars - Poster 1

What We Do Best: Click Here


Questions  To  The  Editor

  • Gene Simon on Questions To The EditorLarry, Have you seen this article by Geoff? https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/forgotten-fiberglass/the-1953-donald-jones-special-1953-pebble-beach-road-race-participant/
  • George Bagdasarian on Questions To The EditorSuper safari; I made the original fiberglass body that went to a race in Mexico.
  • Geoff Hacker on Questions To The EditorHi Jon...."Hurricane" by Sports Car Engineering. I own one as well. Geoff
  • Jon Mclawhon on Questions To The EditorI was curious if anyone might know what body this was on this Modified Sports
  • Larry E James on Questions To The EditorHi !! Would anyone have any latest word on the Don James "Special" out of
  • Paul W Rosenfield on Questions To The EditorHi, I am in so cal and I just am getting started on Wildfire 9945.
  • BigRedRivi on Questions To The EditorHi Geoff, Hope all is well with you, haven't seen anything posted in a whilst.
  • Bob Pierson on Questions To The EditorJust bought this car, coming out from WA. Please help me identify the year and
  • Richard Langworth on Questions To The EditorStan Mott: Can you supply a current email? I seek permission to run a drawing
  • paul gibbs on Questions To The EditorHave you heard anything from anyone about my Paul E. Gibbs 1960 Almquist Special? Looks
Ask  A  Question:   Click Here

Read  Our  Books

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider



See All Our Books  Click Here


Did  You  Know...

“Dashboards on fiberglass sports cars of the ‘50s are like fingerprints to modern detectives. If a dashboard has been left virtually unchanged, the current configuration can be matched back to the handiwork of the original fabricator and car – as long as vintage pictures of the car with dashboard remain.”

— Geoff Hacker, Rick D’louhy: Forgotten Fiberglass, 2010

Top  40  Articles  In  Print

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider



Undiscovered Classics has been featured in top publications across the world. Read some of our best articles above.


READ MORE
Undiscovered Classics Media Archive
2006 to Present:
Click Here

View  Our  Scale  Models  (1:43)

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider



Geoff  Hacker  and  Team

Geoff Hacker has pursued rare and unusual automobiles for over 40 years. He's recognized as the premier researcher, archivist, author and authoritarian for the history of American handcrafted sports cars. Hacker owns Undiscovered Classics which finds and restores these rare cars for collectors and museums across the world.
Geoff's stewardship of Undiscovered Classics has led to museum exhibitions, special appearances and multiple showings at prestigious concours including Pebble Beach and Amelia Island. His Undiscovered Classics Team and their cars have been seen on television and are published extensively in print and electronic media.

previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
Slider
Geoffrey R. Hacker, Ph.D.
   6306 Memorial Highway, Tampa, Florida 33615-4538
(813) 888 - 8882   
Undiscovered.Classics@gmail.com
Click  Here  To  Learn  More  About  Geoff  Hacker

View  Our  Contributors
View  The  Services  We  Offer
View  Our  Undiscovered  Classics  Portfolio
Read  What  People  Are  Saying  About  Undiscovered  Classics

Social  Media / Newsletter  (Subscribe)

View  Us  On  Facebook
View  Our  YouTube  Channel
Subscribe  To  Our  YouTube  Channel

Subscribe  To  Our  Weekly  Newsletter

Website Tracking

Who's Online

33 visitors online now
3 guests, 30 bots, 0 members
Map of Visitors

All content presented on this website is the property of Geoffrey R. Hacker, Ph.D., and Undiscovered Classics
Use of these materials must be authorized by UndiscoveredClassics.com
Photos used with permission from their original source
© 2020 - UndiscoveredClassics.com    All Rights Reserved

We  Find,  Research,  Restore,  Show  And  Sell  America's  Lost  Automotive  Treasures

 
↑
Scroll Up