In 1938, Vic Edelbrock Sr. bought his first project car — a 1932 Ford roadster. It was the turning point in Edelbrock family history, perhaps in American automotive cultural history.
Otis Victor Edelbrock Sr. would become an American automotive aftermarket performance-parts engineer, racer and would be considered one of the founders of the American hot rod movement. The ’32 Ford roadster project car led Vic Sr., into the world of “Hot Rods” and inspired the design and manufacture of the first Edelbrock intake manifold.
Some names that would become associated with Edelbrock products included Bill Vokovich, Eddie Hill, Mickey Thompson and Roger Ward, who used Edelbrock’s V8-60 “Shaker” midget racing car in 1950 to break the Offenhauser winning streak at the Gilmore Stadium.
When Vic Sr. died in 1962, Victor Jr. became president and CEO of the Edelbrock Corporation, stepping down in 2010 but remaining as chairman of the board of directors.
Last Saturday, Vic’s Garage in Torrance, California, was open to all street rods, muscle cars, trucks, specialty vehicles, motorcycles and more, and with food vendors, live bands and a great time for like-minded gearheads from every level of collectors. Everyone who entered the show received a T-shirt, hat, lanyard and a $50 gift certificate as well as free coffee and donuts, and there was no entry fee for spectators.
The variety of automotive machinery was a rainbow in steel and, as a bonus, the car show hosted the 7th annual Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Regional competition. Local high school students competed in a high-energy engine building competition with the top teams earning their way to compete at the National Finals in Indianapolis in the showdown at the PRI event in December.
Vic’s Garage, which is actually the Edelbrock Museum, was open to all spectators to feast their eyes on Vic’s original ’32 roadster as well as a fantastic collection of American classics and a pair of 1940 Fords, one a flamed coupe and the other a red sedan delivery. Motorcycles, late-model cars and race cars are displayed on a striking black-and-white checkered floor while memorabilia adorn the walls.
Photography by Howard Koby
