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14/10/2023 9:12 am
Kurtis Sport Car
This week I found the Matchbox 1949 Kurtis Sports Car in black. I got the red version last year. Interesting 1/64 scale model.
The Kurtis Sport Car is a two-seat, aluminum-body sports car designed by Frank Kurtis and manufactured by Kurtis Kraft in 1949 and 1950. Built with numerous components from a 1949 Ford, the KSC was built as both a production car and a kit car. It was sold at a base price of $3,495. It could cost up to $5,000 with options, which was approximately $1,000 more than the then-newJaguar XK120.
After Frank Kurtis realized that the car was not sustainable financially, largely due toproduction costs, he sold the KSC's manufacturing rights, along with its blueprints, parts, and tooling, toEarl "Madman" Muntzfor $200,000 in 1950. By that time, only 18 to 36 KSCs had been produced.
After buying the rights to the KSC in 1950, "Madman" Muntz proceeded to create the Muntz Car Company and redevelop the car into what eventually became the Muntz Jet. He lost money on the endeavor and ceased production in 1954.
Body style: Hardtop convertible coupé
Curb weight: 1,043 kg (2,300 lb)
2023 Issue.
MB 46. Metalflake Dark Blue (almost black). Base in dark blue plastic. Tan interior, Made in Thailand
Both came in bubble pack or with a box.
14/10/2023 11:18 am
So good to see these 1/64s still in production. And manufacturers issuing interesting models to engage both young and old in more than just what's on the road around us.
John Kuvakas and David Green reacted
14/10/2023 12:40 pm
These Kurtis/Muntz automobiles look great ! Somewhere I still have an old magazine with a road test of the Muntz Jet from about 1951 or so. I had heard the original Kurtis car had a Cadillac V-8 but later Kurtis cars and the Muntz used the Lincoln V-8. Both the replica and the real car are superb subjects.
14/10/2023 4:38 pm
@chris I like them too. I have the Brooklin version in 1/43 scale but will also look for these in 1/64.
14/10/2023 6:11 pm
David, thanks for background information. I have the red one.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA