This 1948 “Snook Offy” Kurtis-Kraft Midget is one of the world’s most significant midget race cars. It was born in 1948 in Frank Kurtis’ shop as chassis number 272. Originally fitted with an Eddie Meyers V8-60, it was sold new to Hanley “Cadillac’ Booth of Oklahoma City.
Through subsequent owners the V8-60 was replaced with a 110 Offenhauser engine. Dan Ewing was commissioned to fabricate the one off nose and grill.
In 1954 it was sold to Louis Snook of Charlotte, Texas. He aggressively campaigned the car to the top of the sport until 1968. Some of the best and hotgallery.adamsviews.net/artofsteel2015/ drivers in the business were put into the cockpit by Snook. Drivers included A.J. Foyt, Johnny Rutherford, Don Edmunds and a long list of other well know drivers.
After several subsequent owners, Dr. Jim Kilgore commissioned Nate Ewing to do a full restoration which was completed in 1968. It then became a part of the Brock Yates Collection and now is a part of the J.C. and Judy O’Steen Collection.
One of the previuos owners provided me with the following addtional information on the car:
Mechanical restoration was mostly complete when I (Dave Clark) purchased the car from Nate in the early 90's. The Ken Hickey motor had been rebuilt about 10yrs before I purchased the car. Wayne Ewing built the nose. I put the car back on the track in grey primer at Latimore Valley Fairgrounds in PA, then ran at vintage meets at Selinsgrove Speedway, Williamsgrove and Loudon NH in 1994. Jim Kilgore purchased the car around 1996. It sat for several years while he battled an illness. Cosmetic restoration was completed during his ownership in the late 90's or early 00's. The car was then sold to Brock Yates at which point the history has been publicly documented incorrectly, most noteably in Vintage Motorsports Magazine and subsequently on the internet. The car does have an incredible history.
Taken at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
You may purchase a print in our dElegance 2012 online gallery.