Mecum Auctions has announced that it will be selling the 1957 Kurtis Kraft KK500G “Bardahl Special” at its August 23–25 Monterey sale. Driven by “Cactus” Jack Turner in the 1957 Indianapolis 500, Turner’s Kurtis qualified 19th with a speed of 140 mph and went on to finish in 11th-place finish. Originally owned and campaigned by Pat Clancy’s racing team, the Bardahl Special has been restored with the venerable 252-cu.in., Offenhauser 4-cylinder racing engine feeding power through a two-speed transmission. American-built Offenhauser racing engines utterly dominated the Indianapolis 500 from the mid-1930s to the mid-1970s, putting together an incredible record of success that is unlikely to ever be repeated. Housing the powerplant is a Kurtis Kraft chassis built by Roadster legend Frank Kurtis, who saw his innovative machines win the Indianapolis 500 an amazing five times in six years during the ’50s. This significant piece of Indy racing history was meticulously restored by noted restorer and Indy car expert Phil Riley.
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