Edelbrock Launches New Book At High-Performance Party

"Gentlemen, start your pens!"
That was the scene at the festive Edelbrock book launch party as 200-plus guests anxiously waited in line to have the just-released book, "Edelbrock: Made in USA" autographed by an impressive array of hot rod heroes dubbed "Pioneers of Performance."

"The old gang," as Vic Edelbrock Jr. referred to them, were contemporaries and friends of the late Vic Edelbrock Sr., and included such race industry notables as engine builder Bobby Meeks, SO-CAL Speed Shop founder Alex Xydias, Dick and Bob Pierson, Bob Hedman, Bob Joehnck, Ed Pink, Ralph Guldahl and Mary Faulkner. All played a part in Edelbrock history and Vic wanted them to be part of the celebration.

The party, held at Vic's Garage (Edelbrock's private automotive/family museum) in Torrance, Calif., was a dual event. It was held to officially launch the Tom Madigan-authored book to close friends, business associates and media, but also a family affair as the party was in honor of Vic's mother Katie Edelbrock Higgins, who passed away recently at age 91.

Addressing the crowd, Vic told some funny, touching stories about his mom. He reminisced on being reprimanded by his third grade teacher, Mrs. Calhoun. "She sat my mother down and said, 'He's got problems. He's never going to amount to anything. All he does is stare out the window and draw pictures of race cars!'" Vic then deadpanned the audience: "And what's wrong with that?"

Vic entertained the crowd with more stories, even joking about some who didn't attend, such as legendary cam grinder Ed Iskendarian, who was supposed to sit at the Pioneers of Performance table and sign autographs. "Where's Isky?" Vic asked the crowd. "I guess his Caddy wouldn't start."

For all those who did attend (an A-list group that including street rod builder Roy Brizio, Monterey Historics founder Steve Earle and noted car collector Bruce Meyer), Vic gave a gracious thanks then turned the microphone over to Carey Beth Robb (one of Vic's three daughters) who read a poem dedicated to Katie Edelbrock Higgins.

Then it was autograph-fest time as guests received the beautiful, 325-page hard-bound book that the tells the history of the performance aftermarket industry as it unfolds around Vic Edelbrock Sr., Vic. Jr. and the founding fathers of performance. Names like NHRA founder Wally Parks, Robert E. Petersen, along with Pink, Xydias, Meeks, etc., are intertwined in the story about the beginnings of the Edelbrock Equipment Company in the late 1930s.

"Edelbrock has come to define a culture - The American automotive tinkerer who turns simple ideas into high tech, high-performance technology, said author Tom Madigan."

"I am, of course, very proud of what my dad, my family and all the many Edelbrock employees have accomplished over the last 67 years," said Vic Edelbrock Jr. "Our story is the story of American ingenuity, the love of mechanical things and going fast. The world has changed many times since my dad first drove his '32 Ford roadster across the dry lakes of Southern California and Edelbrock has changed with it. It's been quite an adventure and I think people will really enjoy reading it."