There are legendary hot rodders and then there are legends in hot rodding and without a doubt, Ed “Isky” Iskenderian earns top billing in the latter category. Born on July 10th, 1921, Isky was quick to catch on to the Southern Californian hot rod scene and was an early adapter of the Chevrolet brothers’ overhead camshaft conversion kit and the “multi-flathead” cylinder head developed by George Riley on his Model T, Isky custom-built an early slingshot dragster before enlisting in the Army Air Corps. (prior to the Air Force).

Returning from the Pacific Theater, Isky returned to Culver City, CA (and later to Gardena, CA) to establish his own business – Isky Racing Cams – developing custom-grind camshafts for the burgeoning hot rodding market. Isky earned dozens of firsts. Isky also help found the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) with Vic Edelbrock, Jr., Roy Richter, Bob Hedman, Robert E. Wyman, John Bartlett, Phil Weiand Jr, Dean Moon, Al Segal, and Willie Garner in 1963, even serving as its first president during 1963-1964.

Recently, Edelbrock acknowledged Iskenderian (as he is still working at 103 years old!) with a Facebook post shared from the Engine Builder Hall of Fame page. The Engine Builder Hall of Fame (EBHF) recognizes and memorializes individuals who “played a significant role in the development of internal combustion engines for competition. From the origins of hot rodding to all forms of motorized competition, the Engine Builder Hall of Fame enshrines those who innovated, achieved and advanced the internal combustion engine in competition.”

The Facebook post included a video of equally legendary engine builders and members of the hot rodding community. We’ve linked it below for you to enjoy: