RancheroSteve Posted August 9, 2013 Posted August 9, 2013 (edited) For my next (ahem . . .) challenging project, I will attempt to turn this piece of resin: Into a scale replica of this (Frank Kurtis's 1949 Sports Car): Fortunately, I was able to find a good profile shot, and knowing that the wheelbase of the Kurtis is 100", make a 1/25 version, which I was then able to take a bunch of critical dimensions from: I've got the body all marked up - gonna take a deep breath and start slicing. This may take a while . . . Edited January 27, 2017 by RancheroSteve
wisdonm Posted August 9, 2013 Posted August 9, 2013 I'll be watching this. I started what was supposed to be a Kurtis SC about seven years ago. The wheelbase was too long, so I think it was really a Muntz Jet. I shortened the body and used a shortened '48 Ford chassis.
PappyD340 Posted August 9, 2013 Posted August 9, 2013 Very interesting indeed, I will be following your progress, good luck!
Len Woodruff Posted August 9, 2013 Posted August 9, 2013 This will be kool Steve. We are having the Racers Reunion next month in Irving, TX and some of the Kurtis family including one of their street cars is supposed to be there.
RancheroSteve Posted August 9, 2013 Author Posted August 9, 2013 Thanks guys. I'm still kicking around ideas for a chassis. From what I've read, the Kurtis used a fabricated perimeter frame with mostly '49 Ford components, along with a variety of engines.
Art Laski Posted August 9, 2013 Posted August 9, 2013 Great project, Steve. What kind of car is the resin piece you are starting with?
RancheroSteve Posted August 9, 2013 Author Posted August 9, 2013 Art - it's a Muntz Jet, which is essentially a stretched Kurtis. Some history here: http://www.americansportscars.com/muntz.html Whew, this thing isn't exactly the best piece of resin! Worth a try though . . .
RancheroSteve Posted August 9, 2013 Author Posted August 9, 2013 OK - I made some cuts and filled in the front wheel openings. Next, I'll glue it back together. The proportions still look way off, but the overall height of the body still needs to be shortened and the wheel openings moved forward.
Art Laski Posted August 9, 2013 Posted August 9, 2013 (edited) Art - it's a Muntz Jet, which is essentially a stretched Kurtis. Some history here: http://www.americansportscars.com/muntz.html Whew, this thing isn't exactly the best piece of resin! Worth a try though . . . I see. Thanks for the link, Steve. Very interesting read.When I was a kid, i had the honor of meeting Frank Kurtis and Sam Hanks, both mentioned in the article. I have a signed copy of the Kurtis Kraft Story somewhere around here.. Edited August 9, 2013 by Art Laski
RancheroSteve Posted August 10, 2013 Author Posted August 10, 2013 I see. Thanks for the link, Steve. Very interesting read.When I was a kid, i had the honor of meeting Frank Kurtis and Sam Hanks, both mentioned in the article. I have a signed copy of the Kurtis Kraft Story somewhere around here.. Great story, Art! I picked up that book not long ago on EBay - not exactly cheap, but very well worth it, and I was also able to check out a Kurtis biography from the L.A. Public Library. Kurtis had quite the interesting life! Several of his shop locations are not far from me, which really brought some of the history alive for me.
RancheroSteve Posted August 11, 2013 Author Posted August 11, 2013 Body glued back together and a line made where the bottom will be cut off. Front wheel opening sketched in. It's starting to look a little more like it should.
Len Woodruff Posted August 11, 2013 Posted August 11, 2013 Geez this is a lot work just watching you do the work. Whew!
RancheroSteve Posted August 28, 2013 Author Posted August 28, 2013 I've made a little more progress since the last time: the body height has been lowered and the front wheel opening is getting close. And I've started cutting out the hood (yes, this one will have an engine).
Ace-Garageguy Posted August 28, 2013 Posted August 28, 2013 (edited) Kool bit o' slice-n-dice to make a really unusual and historically important car. Fascinating project. Really like your scaling-from-a-photo technique...good stuff going here. I've been collecting data and images for a while now to do a model of the rather more common Kurtis sports car... Edited August 28, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy
sjordan2 Posted August 28, 2013 Posted August 28, 2013 The original Kurtis you showed doesn't have a vent window. Any thoughts on that?
RancheroSteve Posted August 29, 2013 Author Posted August 29, 2013 The original Kurtis you showed doesn't have a vent window. Any thoughts on that? I've seen photos of a few of the later Kurtis' that had vent windows, but I'm thinking in this case the whole windshield frame is going away and will be replaced.
RancheroSteve Posted August 29, 2013 Author Posted August 29, 2013 Kool bit o' slice-n-dice to make a really unusual and historically important car. Fascinating project. Really like your scaling-from-a-photo technique...good stuff going here. I've been collecting data and images for a while now to do a model of the rather more common Kurtis sports car... Actually from what I read, the Kurtis 500S wasn't too common either - only about 25 - 30 built. I saw one driving around Ojai once.
Len Woodruff Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 Actually from what I read, the Kurtis 500S wasn't too common either - only about 25 - 30 built. I saw one driving around Ojai once. Steve here are some pictures of the Kurtis cars I took at a recent Racers Reunion in Dallas. The yellow Kurtis is being restored by Arlen Kurtis (sons?). Enjoy! http://public.fotki.com/retabeth/racers-reunion-2013/
RancheroSteve Posted September 30, 2013 Author Posted September 30, 2013 Thanks Len - good pics! Looks like a lot of cool cars and some fine models there. I haven't been able to put much time into the Kurtis lately - I'm working on another model project with a deadline, but I'm itching to get back to it.
wisdonm Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 (edited) Thanks for posting those pixs, Len. I started a KSC many years ago, but didn't have a good pix of the rear, especially the tail lights. I wrote or e-mailed Arlen, don't remember which, but never heard back from him. Does anyone know what those tail lights are from? Edited September 30, 2013 by wisdonm
RancheroSteve Posted September 30, 2013 Author Posted September 30, 2013 Good article here: http://www.motortrend.com/classic/roadtests/1110_1949_kurtis_sport_car_drive/viewall.html With lots of excellent pics of a beautifully restored car.
Len Woodruff Posted October 1, 2013 Posted October 1, 2013 Thanks for posting those pixs, Len. I started a KSC many years ago, but didn't have a good pix of the rear, especially the tail lights. I wrote or e-mailed Arlen, don't remember which, but never heard back from him. Does anyone know what those tail lights are from? Glad to help Don. Good article here: http://www.motortrend.com/classic/roadtests/1110_1949_kurtis_sport_car_drive/viewall.html With lots of excellent pics of a beautifully restored car. Nice stuff Steve.
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