Aluminum Body

The 1937 Kurtis Tommy Lee Special was started in 1936, and completed in 1937. Handbuilt by Frank Kurtis for Tommy Lee, this boattail roadster was designed to be the fastest and most sophisticated custom speedster of its time. Built on a 1936 Ford chassis with a Cord 810-inspired front end, the car featured a hand-formed aluminum body, a Cord-derived grille, and a DuVall Windshield. Powered by a massive 318-cubic-inch Offenhauser twin-cam engine producing 300 horsepower, it was capable of speeds up to 130 mph at the dry lakes. Despite its stunning design and advanced engineering, the car’s racing engine proved ill-suited for highway use, leading Tommy to eventually retire it to storage. At a reported cost of $25,000, it was one of the most expensive custom cars of its era, surpassing even the price of many Duesenbergs.

The 1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet, designed by Frank Kurtis and built on a 1940 Ford chassis, was a pioneering postwar American sports car. Featuring a lightweight aluminum body it represented an innovative blend of American engineering and European-inspired design, standing out as a significant yet rare piece in automotive history.

The 1953 Kurtis Sorrell SR-100 Roadster, with its unique aluminum body by California Metal Shaping and Bob Sorrell, debuted at the Petersen Motorama in 1953. Built on an Indy 500 Kurtis chassis, it featured a 302-ci GMC I-6 engine, a Howard 12 port head, and six carburetors. This model is notably the only SR-100 with an alloy body.

Sports Cars Featuring Aluminum Bodies

1937 Kurtis Tommy Lee Special
1947 Kurtis-Omohundro Comet
1953 Kurtis Sorrel SR-100 Roadster