1958 Kuzma Indy Roadster

The cars built by Eddie Kuzma competed in the FIA World Championship from 1951 to 1960, including a victory at the Indianapolis 500 in 1952 by driver Troy Ruttman. That was the final year a dirt track-type championship car would win the Indy 500. Ruttman had just turned 22 and remains the youngest driver ever to win at Indianapolis. During a routine pit stop, the car caught on fire. After the fire was contained, Ruttman was able to finish first with an average speed of over 128 miles per hour. His closest competitor, Bill Vukovich, was eliminated when he crashed into a wall with only five minutes to go.

Kuzma had built the 1952 racing special, but it was backed by J.C. (Joshua C. James) Agajanian who would back many successful racecars and drivers during his career. From 1948 through 1971, his cars won three pole positions, set four track records, and won the Indianapolis 500 race twice. The first was with Ruttman in 1952 and the second was in 1963 with Parnelli Jones.

The 1958 Kuzma Agajanian Racing Special was driven by Troy Rutman at Indianapolis and in Monza, Italy in 1958. The following year, Chuck Daigh raced the car for Agajanian at Indy, and Bill Homeier piloted it in 1960. Its best finish was 13th place during its final year of competition.

The 1958 Kuzma was powered by a 255 S.I. Offenhauser engine producing 450 horsepower. It uses a tube frame construction and weighs 1,450 pounds.

The number 98 car failed to qualify at Indy in 1958, ran 3 races at Monza Italy, and failed to qualify in 1959 at Indy. In 1960, its number 98 was replaced with the number 39 and Bill Homeier raced it, under the Ridgewood/A.J. Watson banner, to a 13th place finish (having started in 31st).

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2022