1957 Bardahl Roadster

[nesmra]

Hi everyone

I'm looking for any information on the 1957 Kurtis 500G Bardahl Special. This is the Kurtis Roadster with the drivers position on the left instead of the right. I have a group of photos of the restored car but any information would be a help.

Thanks

Ralph

Ralph Ellery

NESMRA

[jamesharvey]

I imagine you have Gordon Eliot White's book, Indianapolis Racing Cars of Frank Kurtis. On pp.94 and 95 there are two pictures and a little history of two KK500G2 cars with the engine offset to the right. Good luck.
Jim

[lance]

[gwstexas]

Hey Ralph,
It appears that there were three of these cars. Pat Clancy designed them and arranged for Frank Kurtis to build them. All three were designated by Kurtis as KK500G2 models. The car you pictured was driven by Al Keller and Barney Wimmer was the chief mechanic. Keller started eighth and crashed on lap 75. He was credited with 27th position.
In 1958, Clancy entered the car as the "City of Memphis Spl." #56 with Fred Agabashian as the driver. Agabashian qualified, but was bumped from the field.
For 1959, Clancy sold the car to Myron Osborn who entered the car

[gwstexas]

Sorry, hit the button a bit too soon. Osborn entered the car as the "Radsco Battery Cable Spl." #62. Bill Homeier failed to qualify. For its last Speedway appearance, the car was re-configured so that the cockpit was located on the right ans entered as the "Bob Jones Spl." #62. Eddie Russo failed to qualify.
One last interesting note, one of the two sister cars was sold to Ed Walsh who intended for Carroll Shelby to drive. The plan didn't work out and the car never made it on track.
All of this comes from the book "The Roadsters of Indianapolis ... Glory Days" by Greg Littleton and Bill Enoch. Great book if you can still find one.

Best,
Gary

[nesmra]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the info and thanks Lance for the photo.

I sent an e-mail to Walt to see if he still has the drawing of the left hand cock pit car. It looks interesting enough to maybe get my old bones to try and build one. Old roadsters may they live forever.

Ralph

[raceparke]

Amen on the roadsters!

[pylonguy2003]

I have a couple of images in my collection that were taken of the Bob Jones Special in 1960 by friend the late Al Chute. I think the color looks pretty cool! Already converted to right side driver.

Tim

[Gary Davis]

Man...love the color on that roadster!! What color is that?

[indydog]

Aug 29, 2021 16:56:36 GMT -5 pylonguy2003 said:

I have a couple of images in my collection that were taken of the Bob Jones Special in 1960 by friend the late Al Chute. I think the color looks pretty cool! Already converted to right side driver.

Tim

Now that's a beautiful car. Love the exhaust pipe.

[indy]

Beautiful car. Would look great in scale.

Jordan

[pylonguy2003]

Jordan -

Those were my thoughts as well. These are the only two photos I have of it but I think the color is stunning!

[jj66]

You can find some pics at these links:

library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=606217&collection=p17257coll1

library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=638868&collection=p17257coll1

library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=637560&collection=p17257coll1

if you click on the photos they can be enlarged quite a bit

[pylonguy2003]

Juanjo!

That is a great reference site! I have it bookmarked now! Thanks!

Tim