Emil Diedt

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Emil Albert Diedt (born Emil Albert Didt; March 17, 1897 – December 8, 1980) was an American race car builder known for making the car bodies and metalwork for winning Indy 500 cars. His chassis won the Indianapolis 500 in 1947 and 1948 with driver Mauri Rose, and in 1949 with Bill Holland. Diedt’s cars used Offenhauser engines, and the 1947–48 winning car, the "Blue Crown Special," was notable for being front-wheel drive. His cars also competed in the FIA World Championship from 1950 to 1952, when the Indy 500 counted toward the championship. The last Indy 500 entry for a Diedt chassis was in 1952, with the final qualifying attempt in 1953. Born in East Prussia, he moved to the United States at age 16 with his brother, both of whom had been sailors. He became a U.S. citizen after World War I.