Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - Built for the road race "La Carrera Panamericana" 1955

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on December 9, 2019

Text:

Daniel Koch

Photos:

Courtesy Bonhams

27

Archiv Zwischengas

1

Archiv

3

Courtesy Bonhams

27

Archiv Zwischengas

1

Archiv

3

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - The body was modeled on the Cisitalia 202

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - The Kurtis in attack position

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - Split windshield and air scoop on the roof

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - The Kurtis stands there hunched over

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - Crisp rear view

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - rims with central locking

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - The cockpit is also ready for the next race

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - bucket seats in the racing cockpit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - Functional racing cockpit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - The original 3-speed gearbox has been replaced by a more modern 5-speed gearbox

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - The sparse instrumentation in the cockpit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - The 5.2 liter engine delivers around 240 hp

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - Proven V8 engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - The Lincoln engine, a Ford Y-block with 317 cubic inches, which corresponds to just under 5.2 liters of displacement

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - The Kurtis took part in the reissued race

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - The route led right across Mexico

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - The route led right across Mexico

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied (1955) - The road race started in the south of Mexico

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - Ventilation

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - The rear window can be opened

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - Rims with central locking and external battery disconnect switch

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - air intake on the roof and split windshield

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - Quick-release fasteners for the hood

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - Fresh air supply for the engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - Originally built for the Carrera Panamericana

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - Side air intakes to the engine compartment

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 Swallow Coupé by Allied - Nameplate

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 M (1954) - With Cadillac engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 M (1954) - With plastic bodywork

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kurtis 500 M (1954) - top speed 220 km:h

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Cisitalia 202 (1947) - Factory photo

You have only

1 out of 31

images seen in high resolution

Summary

The 1955 Kurtis Coupé with an Allied body was built especially for participation in the 1955 Mexican road race "La Carrera Panamericana" for racing driver Mickey Thompson, but it did not take part at the time as the race was canceled at short notice. Kurtis only built two examples of this version of the coupé and, despite its lack of historical racing history, it is a desirable beauty that doesn't look like it has a 5.2-liter V8 engine from the outside. This report tells the story of this special coupé and shows it in many photos.

This article contains the following chapters

Spectators in the danger zone
The end came after just five years
Stolen design
Beautiful coupé with potent technology

Estimated reading time: 4min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The "Panamericana" is a highway system that connects northern Alaska with Tierra del Fuego in southern South America and is based on an international agreement from 1923. When the section in Mexico was completed in 1950, the Mexicans celebrated this success with a road race, the "La Carrera Panamericana", which they wanted to hold annually from then on for promotional purposes. This race is closely linked to the history of the "Kurtis" presented here, although the fast coupé never raced in Mexico at the time. In 1953, Mickey Thompson, a successful driver in drag racing and circuit racing, and co-driver Rodger Flores entered a Ford Sedan Six Cylinder for the first time in a road race in Mexico. The two were well in the race when onlookers suddenly appeared on the road in a bend. While trying to avoid the people, Thompson crashed into a vehicle that had crashed in front of him, which was parked at the side of the road and where spectators were providing assistance. Six people were fatally injured. However, no charges were ever brought against the two drivers for the accident, as the race organizers classified it as a tragic racing accident and the drivers were not at fault.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: