Jive-Bomber submitted a new blog post: Happy 100th, Alex Xydias! Continue reading the Original Blog Post
Beat you to it! https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/alex-xydias-turns-100-next-week.1259033/ Every time I saw Alex wearing his red SoCal letterman's jacket, I would tell him that Simple Green would clean up all the autographs on the white leather sleeves.
Here's my question for Alex: Looking back through the what you've witnessed, as well as implemented, in the hobby of hot rods, what advice would you offer to keep the hobby alive and thriving as we look ahead? Happy Birthday, Alex! Tim Payne Tulsa, OK
A Hot Rod treasure for sure! The things he has seen and done! With great admiration, Happy Birthday Alex!
I met Alex at the Portland Roadster Show in '98, he was with Pete Chapouris when the So Cal Speed Shop was building steam. Very nice man. Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday Alex! Does anybody know anything about the So-Cal '26/'27 T roadster on the cover of Best Hot Rods? I don't think I've ever seen it or the two '32s behind it.
I've always wanted to know what Alex's opinion and relationship with Bill Kenz was. The two had quite a rivalry in 1949 and 1950. The two of them in my opinion, some of the greatest pioneers and innovators. -nick
The T-roadster belonged to Bill Barker, #108 deuce roadster belonged to Clyde Sturdy, the tank was Alex's with Dave DeLangdon in the drivers seat and the 32 coupe was Loren Miller's. Mick
Happy Birthday Alex Xydias! We're losing WWII vets rapidly as well as hot rod pioneers. If I were visiting with him I'd ask him if his war experiences played a part in starting the Socal Speedshop or if the war kinda got in the way of his hobby\sport he was already involved in. Thanks @Jive-Bomber
Could you ask him, what is his personal preference of a motor in a vintage hotrod and why? Does he prefer the flathead or the small block or even an inline? Chris Nelson Kansas
Happy Birthday Alex... @Jive-Bomber when you shake his hand give him all the best from us all at the Hamb......Greatness indeed, certainly a man who has done the walk a couple times over, thanks for sharing ...
Happy Birthday Alex! I am fortunate enough to have both Alex's and Pete Chapouris' autographs on my 5W's dash!
Happy Birthday Alex, Few years ago: "I ask a friend of mine What's Bad about bein' a Hundred..? " He replied : "All my friends are gone to Heaven, And they probably think I didn't make it there !!!"
Happy 100th birthday, Alex! That's quite an accomplishment to add to add to your other achievements! Enjoy this very special day!!!
FB post A real honor to share in Alex Xydias’ 100th bday party with so many legends of automotive! Thanks to Bruce and the Meyer family for hosting us! Check out this front row line up… Don “the snake” Prudhomme 80, Ed Pink 90, Ed Iskenderian 100 & Alex 100. Living proof that gas, oil and nitro should be cl***ified as a preservative! Race to live! Live to race! . #racinglegends #ale**ydias #isky #edpink #donthesnakeprudhomme #100yearsold #brucemeyer
Of course Happy 100 Alex !! Now for a little set up then the question.... I believe it was 1951 (please correct me fellow hambrs) that Alex and some others towed east to Daytona Beach for Speed week and the NASCAR timed speed trials on Daytona/Ormand beach. The Record setting So-Cal was destroyed there. So the question is who went east with what cars ?? How did they get there (flat towed, trailers ) ?? How long did it take ??? all the best, NaCifan
The “look’ of determination behind the wheel… Hello, Yes, that magical 100 mark is something to shoot for all of us. History just continues to march forward without worrying about who is next in line. Those that have hit that magical mark are pretty remarkable just for the fact that it is 100 years since birth. The closest thing in our family was a grandfather who was 96 and a grandmother who was 99. Those were milestones in our lives and for anyone, good on you! Jnaki 22 years from now is a long way to go and it is already etched in the timeline whether or not I/we make it. But, not to worry, we have led a great life to this day. Our history may not be as historic or public as Isky or Alex Xydias, with their hot rod adventures, long life, and journalism. We were just involved as much as we could in something we knew we enjoyed to no end. Well, there was an end, but it still continues in words, photos and our desires. YRMV
Living proof, Alex and Isky that speed and p***ion for a sport or hobby whatever you want to call it keeps you going. Thanks for giving us your part of what we all enjoy today.
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