Frank Currie, a Great Race legend and an icon of the automotive aftermarket industry passed away Wednesday in California. He was the founder of Currie Enterprises, rear end and differential specialists, and was one of the most well-known figures in the Southern California car culture. He and his company were also very popular among hot rodders around the world.
Frank, a veteran of 20 Great Races through the years, was inducted into the Great Race Hall of Fame in 1997 and ran his last race with his grandson Cody in 2007. He raced a 1920 Packard speedster and a 1910 Selden roadster among others during his time on the event.
The Great Race was a family affair to Frank, who also competed with his wife, Evelyn, and sons John, Ray, David and Charles.
“Frank Currie was one of the heroes of the Great Race, event owner Corky Coker said. He was always a fierce competitor and a very nice man. It was fun coming around a bend while competing in the Great Race to see Frank and Evelyn Currie screeching up to a stop in that wonderful 1910 Selden Roadster. Our prayers go out to the Currie family.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Curry family..Frank was one of my best friends..and my hero!! He was truly an icon, not only in the Greatrace world, but in the automotive world. He will be sorely missed by us all.. I am so thankful I got to visit with him, and Evelyn, while on last years Greatrace.. A great self made man that should be an inspiration to us all!! RIP Frank!!
It was great seeing Frank and Evelyn in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., on the race last year. Even though he had a stroke several years earlier and it was 115 degrees, Frank made me push him in his wheelchair down to the finish line so he could see all of the cars come in. It was so awesome to see him catching up with Great Race family members he hadn’t seen in eight or nine years. He had more fun that day than anyone else.
When someone you love becomes a memory, those memories become a treasure…..I will truly treasure Frank Currie. Particularly, I’ll forever cherish the effort and love that Evelyn and family showed in Lake Havasu City to make sure that Frank got to one more Great Race.
Love to you all!