To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Auburn
Fall event, 3 - 5 September 2020.
Estimate:
$350,000 - $450,000
- Offered from the Bill Akin Collection
- A significant example of a dominant design
- Four-time Indianapolis 500 competitor
- 1955 Indianapolis 500 third-place finisher
- Immaculately restored to historic no. 15 Bardahl livery
- Class winner at Pebble Beach and Amelia Island in 2010 and
2011, respectively
Legendary race car constructor Frank Kurtis built just eight 500 B
roadsters at his Glendale, California shop. A revolutionary
advancement over the highly successful 500/500 A, the
Offenhauser-powered 500 B had the driveline on the left, helping
the car to negotiate the banking at Indianapolis with greater speed
than ever before. The Kurtis Kraft cars were a major force at the
1953 Indianapolis 500-the first seven finishers were all built in
that storied shop.
This 500 B, the eighth built, is offered from the noted Bill Akin
Collection. It made its Indianapolis debut in 1953 as the number 53
Pat Clancy Special. Sporting a gold and red livery, the car was
originally piloted by Johnny Mantz, but it failed to find a
starting place until Jimmy Davies gave it a try. At the very end of
qualifying, Davies made it into the race with five minutes to
spare, earning the 32nd starting spot. On race day, Davies worked
his way up to third by the 70th lap but would suffer brake
troubles, ultimately finishing in 10th place.
The car would compete at Indy three more times. In 1954, the car
returned with the same owner and driver, still wearing the striking
red and gold livery. This time, however, Davies was unable to find
enough speed to make the field. In 1955, with Bardahl sponsorship
and a striking black paint scheme, Clancy and Davies were back
again. The car was performing well, allowing for a 10th-place start
and a third-place finish. In its final appearance in 1956, Bardahl
again sponsored Clancy's car, though its number changed to 12. Now
driven by 1955 Rookie of the Year Al Herman, the car crashed on the
74th lap, relegating it to a 28th place finish.
The car's documented history ended with the wreck until it became
part of the legendary Bob McConnell collection. Mr. McConnell had
the foresight to collect old race cars at a time when they were
often viewed as obsolete machinery with ever-depreciating value;
when he found the car, the Offenhauser engine and other running
gear components had long been removed. Remarkably, however, the
plexiglass windshield with "Pat"-the original car owner Pat
Clancy's name-drilled into it somehow remained.
In 1989 Mr. McConnell sold the 500 B to John Mecom. When Bill Akin
started searching for another Indy car to restore, he learned of
the existence of the Clancy car and decided to purchase it and
return the car to its striking Bardahl livery. Mr. Akin approached
the project with the fervor for which he was famous and an unerring
dedication to getting every detail correct. The restoration quality
was such that it won its class at both the 2010 Pebble Beach
Concours d'Elegance (along with the prestigious 2010 Tony Hulman
award for the best race car) and the 2011 Amelia Island Concours
d'Elegance.
A historically significant and eye-catching Indy car, this
well-recognized Kurtis 500 B Indianapolis 500 contender is a
must-own for any serious racing enthusiast.
Please note that this lot is sold on a Bill of Sale.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/af20.