Alex Xydias
Encyclopedia
Alex Xydias was an influential figure in the early days of the auto racing
sport involving hot rod
s.
Xydias served in World War II
as radio operator and engineer on a B-17. He flew over Germany, where he was shot down and taken prisoner.
Alex Xydias (born March 22, 1922 in Los Angeles
) was an influential figure in the early days of the auto racing
sport involving hot rod
s.
Xydias served in World War II
as radio operator and engineer on a B-17. He flew over Germany, where he was shot down and taken prisoner.
Alex Xydias (born March 22, 1922 in Los Angeles
) was an influential figure in the early days of the auto racing
sport involving hot rod
s.
Xydias served in World War II
as radio operator and engineer on a B-17. He flew over Germany, where he was shot down and taken prisoner.
In 1946, immediately after Xydias was discharged from the United States Army Air Corps
, he opened the So-Cal Speed Shop
in Burbank, one of the first hot rod shops in Southern California
. In 1950, he drove the first streamliner powered by a Flathead Ford to go over 200 mph (320 km/h). His hot rod was named the "So-cal-Streamliner" and powered by an Edelbrock
V-8 60 engine.Madigan, Tom. Edelbrock: Made in USA, Tehabi Books, 2005. One secret to his success was a mixture of 40 percent nitromethane
and not the grinding of the cams, as was commonly told.Oilstick.com NHRA museum article Groak, Bill, 2004.
He is a member of the board of directors of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
sport involving hot rod
Hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
s.
Xydias served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as radio operator and engineer on a B-17. He flew over Germany, where he was shot down and taken prisoner.
Alex Xydias (born March 22, 1922 in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
) was an influential figure in the early days of the auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
sport involving hot rod
Hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
s.
Xydias served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as radio operator and engineer on a B-17. He flew over Germany, where he was shot down and taken prisoner.
Alex Xydias (born March 22, 1922 in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
) was an influential figure in the early days of the auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
sport involving hot rod
Hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
s.
Xydias served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as radio operator and engineer on a B-17. He flew over Germany, where he was shot down and taken prisoner.
In 1946, immediately after Xydias was discharged from the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
, he opened the So-Cal Speed Shop
So-Cal Speed Shop
The So-Cal Speed Shop is a specialty parts shop for hot rods, specializing in cars built in the 1940s. It offers parts online, as well as a number of retail stores in the western United States and one in Canada. The headquarters is located in Pomona, California....
in Burbank, one of the first hot rod shops in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. In 1950, he drove the first streamliner powered by a Flathead Ford to go over 200 mph (320 km/h). His hot rod was named the "So-cal-Streamliner" and powered by an Edelbrock
Edelbrock
Edelbrock, LLC is a specialty performance automotive and motorcycle aftermarket parts manufacturer based in Torrance, California. The company has five locations, including four in Torrance: its headquarters, a distribution center and museum, the Russell division , and the exhaust plant...
V-8 60 engine.Madigan, Tom. Edelbrock: Made in USA, Tehabi Books, 2005. One secret to his success was a mixture of 40 percent nitromethane
Nitromethane
Nitromethane is an organic compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest organic nitro compound. It is a slightly viscous, highly polar liquid commonly used as a solvent in a variety of industrial applications such as in extractions, as a reaction medium, and as a cleaning solvent...
and not the grinding of the cams, as was commonly told.Oilstick.com NHRA museum article Groak, Bill, 2004.
He is a member of the board of directors of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, is located at Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Bldg. 3A, in Pomona, California 91768, USA. It houses a collection of memorabilia, automobiles and motorcycles related to the sport of hot rodding. ...
.