Emil Diedt

Photo: Michael Barera — CC BY-SA 4.0Source

Emil Diedt

Died
December 8, 1980
Age
83 years

About Emil Diedt

Emil Diedt, 83, American race car builder.

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Full Biography

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Emil Albert Diedt (born Emil Albert Didt, March 17, 1897 – December 8, 1980) was an American race car builder. He specialized in body-building and metalwork, and his chassis won the Indianapolis 500 in 1947 and 1948 with Mauri Rose, and in 1949 with Bill Holland. Diedt's cars ran with Offenhauser engines, and the three victories were the only major American open-wheel racing (AAA) wins for him.

The 1947 and 1948 winning car, called "Blue Crown Special", had the particularity of being front-wheel driven. Diedt's cars competed in the FIA World Championship from 1950 to 1952, as the Indianapolis 500 was part of the championship during those years. The last participation in the Indianapolis 500 for a Diedt chassis was in 1952, and their last qualifying attempt was in 1953.

Personal life

Born Emil Albert Didt, Diedt emigrated to the U.S. as a 16-year old, accompanying his 19-year old brother. Both had been working as sailors. Diedt obtained U.S. citizenship after the First World War.

Select Indianapolis 500 results

Content from Wikipedia — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

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Sources

People who died on December 8

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