there are only a few of the original hot rodders still around.... Isky, Ivo, and Gene Winfield are the only others I can think of.
Alex graduated from jr high with Judy Garland and Jason Robards. He went to Fairfax High School with Mickey Rooney and Ricardo Montalbán.
While riding his bicycle around Hollywood running errands for his mom, he was sent to a market on La Brea to buy a sack of potatoes. Coincidentally he happened on a gas station and repair shop at La Brea and Oakwood that had Midget race cars in the back shop and Alex was fascinated watching the Midget cars being maintained. Years later he would learn that the Brea Wood Garage was operated by Vic Edelbrock.
Alex Xydias is a WWII vet, as radio operator, top turret gunner, and engineer on a B-17, worked on P-40s and B-25s as a mechanic, was the founder of the So Cal Speed shop in 1946, El Mirage and Bonneville racer (and record setter) in a personally-built roadster, P 51 belly tanker, coupe, and streamliner... one secret to his success was a mixture of 40 percent nitromethane.
And he was at the first Bonneville meet in 49
And was the Car Craft publisher.
And he or his cars made the cover of Hot Rod magazine 4 times in the 50s
And as a director, he helped launch an industry trade show that would eventually grow become the annual SEMA Show.
And he partnered with Mickey Thompson and launched the SCORE Off-Road Equipment trade show.
My favorite old time hot rodder is Henry Velasco, International Drag Racing Hall of Fame member. He's still building top fuel crankshafts in Downey for teams like John Force Racing. He's in his mid 80s and still going strong. See: https://garlits.com/international-drag-racing-hall-of-fame-all-time-list/ https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=156471611059341
ReplyDeletewow, cool! I didn't know!
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