More than 400 people were on the guest list, which included heavy hitters from the worlds of drag racing, Bonneville Salt Flats, dry lakes, and hot rodding.
Legendary painter and customizer...
Legendary painter and customizer Gene Winfield (right) gets an autograph from the man of the (almost) century: Alex Xydias.
Alex Xydias has had many milestones in his 90 years on this planet. He was trained as a gunner on a B-17, opened the SO-CAL Speed Shop in 1946, set numerous speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, was featured on multiple covers of Hot Rod magazine in its earliest days, and, with the SO-CAL streamliner team, went 210 mph at Bonneville in 1950—all before he was 28 years old.
Xydias (pronounced ex-ZID-e-us) then began a motorsports film company, was editor of Car Craft for a number of years, and, later, associate publisher of Hot Rod magazine. He was also the director of what would eventually become the SEMA Show, and was partners with Mickey Thompson in the SCORE off-road show series. Inducted into several hall of fame organizations, Xydias is also a recipient of the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award.
This SO-CAL jacket, with 68...
This SO-CAL jacket, with 68 autographs on it from the hot rod world, sold for $1,500, while the Fender guitar, autographed and pinstriped by Billy F. Gibbons, sold at the live auction for $4,200.
Pete Chapouris went to Xydias when Chapouris re-launched SO-CAL Speed Shop in 1997 and, more recently, Xydias became involved in AXC (the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts), a program that prepares students for a career in the automotive industry.
Celebrating his 90th birthday with 400 of his closest friends, Xydias teamed up with the NHRA Motorsports Museum (of which he is the Chairman of the Board) to raise funds for both the museum and AXC. After a silent auction, dinner, and a slide presentation of Xydias’ life, the live auction got underway and together the evening’s event raised $84,000.
The history of both the SO-CAL...
The history of both the SO-CAL Speed Shop and Alex Xydias can be summed up in this photo. With the SO-CAL coupe from 1950 on the right (now owned by Bruce Canepa), and Bill Lindig’s AMBR-winning roadster on the left, recently built by SO-CAL Speed Shop, these two cars could be considered bookends to Xydias’ long and illustrious career.
In mint condition, this trophy...
In mint condition, this trophy was presented to Xydias from the Sidewinders Club in 1948 for being the points leader for the 1948 SCTA racing season. It sold at the live auction for $3,100.
The big-ticket item for the...
The big-ticket item for the evening’s auction was one of Xydias’ early trophies. From the very first Bonneville race in 1949, this was the First Place trophy in the C/Streamliner class. It sold for $15,000.