Frank Kurtis' Buick Special: The Custom Car That Paved the Way

Frank Kurtis’ Buick Special

Frank Kurtis, a genius known for his prowess in designing Midget and Indy race cars, also left an indelible mark in the custom car world with his stunning Kurtis Buick Special. Built in the 1940s, this car was more than just a personal project for Kurtis—it was a groundbreaking design that would lead to the creation of his own line of sports cars, setting a precedent in American automotive history.

Frank Kurtis: A Legend in the Making

Best known for his race cars, Frank Kurtis was born in 1908 and grew up with a natural inclination toward all things mechanical. His career was primarily focused on creating championship-winning race cars, but after acquiring a wrecked 1941 Buick Century sedan, Kurtis turned his talents toward custom cars. In 1946, he began work on what would become the Kurtis Buick Special, a custom four-passenger convertible that combined his racing expertise with groundbreaking aesthetics.

Building the Buick Special

Kurtis stripped the wrecked Buick down to its chassis and began creating a body from scratch. He discarded the original 4-door body and lowered the ride height by shortening and modifying the chassis. Kurtis’ skills as a fabricator were unmatched—he formed the body entirely by hand using aluminum panels stretched over a steel tubing frame, reminiscent of Coachcraft designs. The Buick Special featured several unique touches, including a cast aluminum cowl and windshield frame, cable-operated hood and trunk releases, fold-down seats, and a removable top with a curved plastic rear window.

Kurtis completed the build in 1948 at a personal cost of $17,000, a significant investment at the time. The car made its public debut that same year, when Kurtis drove it from California to the Indianapolis 500, where it quickly became a sensation. Crowds marveled at its futuristic design, and automotive journalist Tom McCahill featured the car in Mechanix Illustrated. The Buick’s appearance at Indy solidified Kurtis’ reputation not just as a race car builder but as a custom car

A Prototype for the Future

The success of the Kurtis Buick Special led Kurtis to consider producing a road car based on its design. He toyed with the idea of creating a sports car, the Kurtis Kar, but that concept never materialized. However, the Buick’s unique design became the blueprint for his next major venture—the Kurtis Sports Car, a stylish two-seater that went into production in 1949.

The Kurtis Sports Car garnered attention for its sleek design and racing-inspired performance, and Kurtis soon found himself partnering with Earl Muntz, an eccentric businessman who purchased the rights to the car’s production. Under Muntz, the car was rebranded as the Muntz Jet, becoming one of the most unique vehicles of its time.

Restoration and Legacy

The Kurtis Buick Special remained Frank Kurtis’ personal car for a number of years before he sold it to Earl Muntz. The car passed through several owners and was eventually restored to its former glory. It has since been displayed at prestigious automotive events, including the Indianapolis 500 Celebration of Automobiles, where it continues to impress car enthusiasts with its blend of custom craftsmanship and racing-inspired design.

In 2011, the Kurtis Buick Special was auctioned at the Labor Day Auburn Collector Car Auction, with a pre-auction estimate ranging from $240,000 to $280,000. Its value lies not only in its stunning design but in its historical significance as the precursor to the Kurtis Sports Car and the Muntz Jet.

The Kurtis Buick Special’s Lasting Impact

Frank Kurtis’ Buick Special represents a pivotal moment in automotive history. It bridged the gap between race car engineering and custom car design, influencing the direction of sports cars in the post-war era. Today, the Kurtis Buick Special is celebrated not only for its groundbreaking aesthetics but also for its role in shaping the future of American sports cars. Like all of Kurtis’ creations, it embodies the innovation, precision, and passion of a true automotive pioneer.