Ed Larsen's Barracuda

The Barracuda is a custom car built and designed by Edward H. Larsen of Ogden, Utah. Larsen, a production planner by trade, embarked on the ambitious project in 1953. His vision was to build a vehicle that not only showcased his craftsmanship but also utilized components from a diverse range of automobiles. Photo courtesy of Jace Larsen.

The project took shape in Ed's garage, reflecting both his dedication and skill. Photo courtesy of Jace Larsen.

Completed in 1956, the car made its debut at the Salt Kings of Ogden Rod and Custom Review. Photo courtesy of Jace Larsen.

Another photo of Ed with the Barracuda. The grille was homemade, designed to give the car a European look. Photo courtesy of Jace Larsen.

The back of these photos were marked "1955" and stamped "Official Photograph U.S. Air Forces - Photographic Section - Hillfield, Ogden, Utah." Photo courtesy of Jace Larsen.

The rear fenders were constructed from the rear quarter panels of a 1951 Studebaker, adding to the vehicle's sculpted appearance. Other notable elements of the Barracuda included a windshield from a 1953 Packard convertible and a top from a 1941 Ford. The sculptured rear fenders were fit with Ford taillights. Photo courtesy of Jace Larsen.

A photo of the car taken at an indoor car show. When this photo was taken, it had been dressed up with pinstriping. Photo courtesy of Jace Larsen.

In 1956, journalist David J. Heffernan wrote a feature on the Barracuda for The Hill Top Times Fri, Jun 01, 1956, describing it as a car that "looks like a barracuda - goes like a bomb." This vivid description captured the essence of Larsen's creation, highlighting both its aesthetic appeal and its performance capabilities. Photo courtesy of Jace Larsen.

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The Barracuda is a custom car built and designed by Edward H. Larsen of Ogden, Utah. Larsen, a production planner at the Accessories Production Control Branch by trade, embarked on the ambitious project in 1953. His vision was to build a vehicle that not only showcased his craftsmanship but also utilized components from a diverse range of automobiles. The project took shape in his own garage, reflecting both his dedication and skill.

Made From a Dozen Cars

Larsen meticulously sourced parts from over a dozen different cars, demonstrating his ingenuity in combining these elements into a cohesive and striking design. He began with the frame of a 1939 Ford, which he cut and lowered to create the foundation for his custom. This significant modification set the stage for the unique bodywork that would follow. The Barracuda's front fenders were constructed from four 1953 Pontiac fenders. This creative use of multiple fenders gave the car a distinctive and aggressive front end. The rear fenders, meanwhile, were constructed from the rear quarter panels of a 1951 Studebaker, adding to the vehicle's sculpted appearance. The rear deck was crafted from the roof of a 1942 Hudson, showcasing Larsen's ability to repurpose and reimagine automotive components. Other notable elements of the Barracuda included a windshield from a 1953 Packard convertible and a top from a 1941 Ford. The sculptured rear fenders were fit with Ford taillights. The grille was homemade, designed to give the car a European look.

Looks Like a Barracuda - Goes Like a Bomb

Under the hood, the Barracuda was powered by a 1951 Ford engine paired with an automatic transmission. In 1956, journalist David J. Heffernan wrote a feature on the Barracuda for The Hill Top Times, describing it as a car that "looks like a barracuda - goes like a bomb." This vivid description captured the essence of Larsen's creation, highlighting both its aesthetic appeal and its performance capabilities. At the time Heffernan documented the car, the engine remained mostly stock, save for a dual carburetor setup. Larsen indicated that further engine modifications were planned to enhance performance.

Recognition and Legacy

It took Larsen three years and more than 2500 hours of painstaking labor to complete the build. "Almost all the work was done right in my own garage workshop where I have nearly $3000 worth of body and fender working equipment," Larsen told Heffernan. The build was completed in 1956, and the Barracuda made its public debut at a Rod and Custom show held by the Salt Kings organization in Ogden, where it took first place in the Sports Car Class. This accolade was a testament to Larsen's craftsmanship and the car's exceptional design. The car also got national recognition when it appeared in Trend Book 143 Restyle Your Car.

Larsen told Heffernan that future plans called for a sale of the car to raise funds for construction of a second sports car to be built on a chassis smaller than the 119 inch wheelbase Ford frame.

Spotted on Blocks in a Salvage Yard

In 2024, Jace Larsen, Ed's grandson, told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that he found out from an uncle that he and his parents saw the car years later on blocks in a salvage yard. "That salvage yard no longer exists so we're pretty sure it no longer exists," he added.

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