Eddie Kuzma
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1957 Kuzma-constructed Indy car
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| Born | Edward Leo Kuzma (1911-09-18)September 18, 1911
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
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| Died | October 12, 1996(1996-10-12) (aged 85)
Tigard, Oregon, U.S.
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| Occupation | Auto racing builder |
Edward Leo Kuzma (September 18, 1911 – October 12, 1996) was an American race car builder.[1][2][3] He constructed Troy Ruttman's winning car for the 1952 Indianapolis 500.
Kuzma was born in Portland, Oregon, where he was raised on a farm.[4] He moved to Vancouver, Washington, where he established an automobile repair shop.[5] In the 1930s, Kuzma had seen midget race cars at the Jantzen Beach Amusement Park, and had built and raced his own car.[4] A second car was fitted with a four-cylinder Offenhauser engine, making it faster than other local competitors.[4] He served in the United States Navy during World War II.[5] After he was discharged from the service, sold his car and moved to Los Angeles, California. [4]
In California he continued to build midget race cars.[4] He was hired by J. C. Agajanian to build the Agajanian Special,[4] which won the 1952 Indianapolis 500, driven by Troy Ruttman.[6] A. J. Foyt won the Indianapolis 500 twice driving Kuzma's cars,[4] and Mario Andretti won in one of his cars in 1969.[4][5][7] Kuzma also rebuilt race cars.[8] In 1968, he bought a farm along with his wife Edna.[4]
Kuzma died in October 1996 of kidney failureinTigard, Oregon, at the age of 85.[5] In 2003, he was posthumously honored in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.[9]
Kuzma cars competed in the FIA World Championship (Indianapolis 500 only) from 1951 to 1960. They won the 1952 Indianapolis 500 with Troy Ruttman.[10]
Note: all cars were fitted with Offenhauser engines.
