After Frank Kurtis realized that the car was not sustainable financially, largely due to production costs, he sold the KSC's manufacturing rights, along with its blueprints, parts, and tooling, to Earl "Madman" Muntz for $200,000 in 1950.

The KSC also likely inspired Harley Earl's Project Opel at General Motors (GM), which ultimately created the production Chevrolet Corvette.

The KSC was additionally described as the first "true American sports car" in the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance program.

In the 1920s, Frank Kurtis began his career in the automotive industry working alongside Harley Earl at Don Lee's Cadillac dealership in Los Angeles.

He envisioned it as a new type of sports car with American power, European handling, and modern styling.

[7] In May 1949, Kurtis Kraft announced limited production of the KSC, with assembly occurring at its plant in Los Angeles.

[7][9] In 1950, he sold the KSC's manufacturing rights, along with its blueprints, parts, and tooling, to Earl "Madman" Muntz for $200,000.

[1][7][9] In September 1949, the KSC that was driven by Wally Parks at Bonneville was featured on the cover of the first issue of Motor Trend.

[1] That car, the first production KSC and the third built overall (serial number KB003), was purchased by Motor Trend in 2019 and put on display at its headquarters in El Segundo, California.

[14] The 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance program described the KSC as the first "true American sports car".