Formed by the famous speedboat racer of the same name, the Dan Arena Company built boats in Mt. Clemens, Macomb County, beginning about 1953. The company was located at 32020 N. River Road. Daniel J. Arena incorporated the firm in 1955 as Arena Craft Corporation.
In late 1955 the company introduced the Barracuda, offered in three models. The single cockpit, three-passenger sportster, the double cockpit-, six-passenger runabout, and the open, six-passenger utility were all 19 ft. 6 inches long, had a beam of 6 ft. 9 inches, and a draft of 20 inches. The models differed in finish and in the styling of the after decks. The hull was constructed of laminated, pressure-molded, polyester bonded Fibreglas, with a reinforced double bottom Adesigned to give maximum rigidity, strength and floatation characteristics.@ The boat was powered by a 175 h.p. Dearborn Interceptor engine, and speeds of up to 50 m.p.h. were reported by the company.
Sources:
Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record. The Directory of Michigan Manufacturers, 1953 (Detroit, MI: Manufacturer Publishing Co., 1952). p. 295--classified products section. p. 198--geographical section.
Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record. The Directory of Michigan Manufacturers, 1955 (Detroit, MI: Manufacturer Publishing Co., 1954). p. 365--classified products section. p. 237--geographical section.
Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record. The Directory of Michigan Manufacturers, 1957 (Detroit, MI: Manufacturer Publishing Co., 1956). p. 389--classified products section. p. 258--geographical section.
