lotusman1951 Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 I am looking for an investment car-small and light. Always tempted by Lotus 7s series 1, but I want a real one and if you have one, talk to me . I helped push alone a stalled restoration of one in northern virginia, painted it 1991 miata brg-and Larry Shauf- I tried to buy his-and others over time-So something the 7 register knows mid 20s to 40k for dedion cliamax. But my thoughs at the moment turn to Kurtis Kraft -I had an Allard K2 for 20 plus years and -well Kurtis was very critical of Allards-so I learned more towards right and wrong--and 7s being where I went---But the Kurtis Midgets-long bugatti/lotus like specials-like every american race for decades. I am looking at a 1947 Kurtis Kraft Midget with 3 speed and reverse. Flathead stuebaker 6 pot with twin carbs, 4 wheel disc brakes. I can street legal this in Maryland and do cars and coffee in Great Falls 10 parkway miles distant -so an open wheeled, single seater with 4 wheel disc brakes, There were only about 1000 of these made they are heros, they look like clown bumper cars -so as an experienced Allardist and lotus lover will this stir my juices Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Like this one: How many of the 1,000 had the Studebaker engine? It appears that the Offy and Ford V8 60 engines were more popular. http://www.barbuza.com/edit.php?image=http://www.aerodynamicsproject.com/upload/1947-kurtis-kraft-midget-powered-by-studebaker-on-display-at-the_l_af3b4176712406f9.jpg&title=1947%20Kurtis%20Kraft%20Midget,%20Powered%20by%20Studebaker%20(On%20display%20at%20the&tag=1947%20Kurtis%20Kraft%20Midget Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted January 16, 2017 Author Share Posted January 16, 2017 For me its the reverse gear-I need that to e streetable. will a midget go in a straight line-or twitchy over 60mph? kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 It will be wanting to turn left all the time, probably would refuse to turn right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share Posted January 17, 2017 Made deposit last night. 900 pounds. 85-100hp, 80 inch wheelbase-something new to learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share Posted January 17, 2017 Duh-Johnny Dangerous-70 yo Seven stomper or garage art.-Point to point anything faster to 100mph? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share Posted January 17, 2017 Will visit car in orlando on thursday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcollum Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Kevin: Looks cool - if you end up getting it, would love to see it sometime! --Bob Collum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 Bought the car, intimidating. I am seeing youtubes of these cars beating all on vintage road courses. If less is more, this takes it to another level-no transmission linkage-just engage this stub lever-brakes no room in the footwell outside left lever engages 3 discs. It has a clutch and 3 gears, starter, alternator, the flathead 6 purrs, electric cooling fan. It looks like a amusement park bumper car, Kurtis Kraft won everything back in the day-a rude crude, bugatti like when using an offy-which bugatti copied in the 20s from Miller. I will get it around Feb 1 from Flordia, my best shipper I95 Transporter will do the job-someone you can trust. Bob I would love your camera here to see the car--known history was th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmustang Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 Are your plans to make this street legal for your little burb of DC? Bill S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted January 23, 2017 Author Share Posted January 23, 2017 I like to think of cars as art, moving sculpture. So yes lotus 7 style headlights and a single light in the rear. Since there is no title I am going to get one as a 1947 Kurtis Kraft and pick a serial number over 550 (factory built cars) and under 1100 which would be the kits Kurtis sold. I suppose I will use thre International title servicefor paperwork and my local trophy shop to create a data plate. So if I am playing with serial numbers 666--evil or 777--lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Kevin, Looks like fun. Hope to see it in Feb. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 I found some books on Kurtis Krafts-A Genealogy of Speed Kurtis Kraft Midgets-2 volumes yet-$150 on Amazon. and it tells me where serial numbers should be-if the car has numbers at all. Its like frame numbers on 7s near the hydraulics on later S2 and 3s. So-the seller is a one year flip on a car he found on local craigslist from a 91 year old widow-dead husbands car-in storage 25 years since last use. He knows cars and did not find numbers but if they are there they are in a special spot, which you need the book to learn. So the car gets picked up after the 28th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusman1951 Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 Its here-no numbers-body off, great garage art, leaks oil, bogas stuff from being a 70yo race car visits welcome Kevin 301 229 8820 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now