The Fred Larsen Photo Collection

Fred built his third hot rod in 1948 while he still was in the Navy. This was his second 1929 Ford Model A Roadster, and it received a special frame constructed from the center of a 1932 Ford frame with kickups from a 1925 Chevrolet. Power came from a 296 cu in. 1948 Mercury engine that he hopped up with a Potvin cam and Navarro heads and manifold. Painted a beautiful metallic green, it was supposedly one of the first cars to use a belly pan and hydraulic brakes. This photo of Fred with his roadster was taken in 1948. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

A photo of Fred in a street-friendly-version of his second 1929 Ford Model A roadster. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

A photo of Fred with his 1929 Ford roadster at a dry lakes event. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

A young Don Cummins next to an early iteration of his pickup. In 1952 Fred met Don Cummins in the Navy. Both were from Southern California, and they became neighbours in civilian life and successful partners in racing. Don was also a member of the Culver City Screwdrivers. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

Fred and Marylou Larsen with Stella and Don Cummins during a 1954 Pomona Drags event. The gang are chilling on Fred's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

In 1955 Fred bought Ak Miller's rear-engine roadster, "Miller's Missile." The roadster featured a tube frame and a 1927 Ford Model T body. Fred installed a fuel injected 1952 Chrysler 331 cu. in. engine in it, and ran it at the lakes as well as local strips. This photo was taken during the 1955 Bonneville Nationals. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

"Beauty and the Beast." A photo of Marylou with "Miller's Missile" during the 1955 Bonneville Nationals. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

Reed Bros. Tank 202.93. A photo of The Reed Bros Belly Tank that Fred took during the 1955 Bonneville Nationals. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

A photo of Fred with his rear-engined 1927 Ford Model T roadster in 1956. The car has a brand new flame paint job for the season. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

In 1957, Fred flipped his 1927 Ford Model T roadster at Bonneville. "I tore my face and head all to hell, he told Dick Martin. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

Fred showing off his helmet after the accident in 1957. "The mag broke off, hit me on the back of the head, and took my helmet off. I went sideways and over backward 180 feet when I hit the first time. The car was going backward upside-down, and I slid on my head on the salt. I had 180 stitches on my head and face," Fred told Dick Martin in an interview. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

A photo of Burke and Laster's Golden Commode streamliner taken at the 1960 Bonneville Nationals. It was entered as The Sports Car Illustrated Magazine Special. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

Rollbar Queen. Marylou posing with Fred's 1927 Ford Model T Roadster at Riverside in 1961. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

Fred's 7th car was a front-engine Modified 1927 Ford Model T Roadster. Running a 1932 Ford chassis, the car set a record every year from 1959 to 1964. This photo of the racer was taken in 1964. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

Fred and Don Cummins with their first Streamliner in 1966. Don and Fred took the Streamliner to Bonneville in 1966. It ran a two-way average of 255 mph. One of the international records they were aiming for was the 248-mph Class D record set by Rudolph Caracciola in a supercharged Mercedes Grand Prix car in 1939. They set eight F.I.A. records in 1967 with a best of 275 mph, shattering Caracciola’s 28-year-old mark. The Larsen & Cummins Streamliner became the world’s fastest 3L car holding the one-mile F.I.A. record of 310.26 mph. Photo courtesy of Fred Larsen, provided by Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren.

Fred Larsen was a pioneer hot rodder, dry lakes racer and drag racer. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Fred grew up in Culver City, California. In 1936 he attended his first dry lakes meet, as a spectator at the Muroc dry lakes. Two years later he returned with his first hot rod, a 1925 Ford Model T roadster. Fred went on to become a lifetime member of the 300-MPH chapter of the Bonneville 200-MPH Club, and the holder of multiple World Land Speed Records for streamlined vehicles set at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Thanks to Fred's wife Marylou Larsen and Karen Boren, daughter of fellow Culver City Screwdrivers member Bill Boren, Fred's photo collection has found its way to Kustomrama so we all can enjoy it.

Further Reading

Fred Larsen - Click here to read the full bio on Fred Larsen
Culver City Screwdrivers - Click here for more information about the Culver City Screwdrivers