this article in the 25th anniversary issue of Hot Rod magazine really caught my attention at age 12. It cemented in my brain the idea that History and hot rodding pioneers were important and relevant to the hobby. Every time I read it, it makes me smile. Also I am going to say this out loud for everyone to hear. In my humble opinion the Jan 73 issue of Hot Rod is the best issue of any magazine ever written. With that said a few years back when I wanted to put a camshaft in my off topic 66 Chevelle and with all of the horror stories of flat tappet cam and lifter failures with almost everyone screaming that you must run a roller cam. I figured that Isky cams wouldn't dare offer items that could possibly damage their reputation. Ed founded the company in 1946 for crying out loud. The parts worked flawlessly and I used the cam they recommended and it runs like a scalded ape
Great story, fabulous video. What a special man he was. We should all be so lucky to do what we love to do. Rest easy.
Thanks Ryan, that was an absolutely beautiful way to put how lucky we are to have these people in our lives for the time we're allowed to have them.
Great guy 23 years ago when I was building my 303 rocket for the first time there wasn't much to offer when it came to the camshaft so l gave Isky a call to se if they could regrind my old one little did I now that I would be talking to the Camfather himself. We talked for about a half hour or so he said how he liked the olds engine then told me to hold on he still has the last olds grind he ever done and he would sell me it I herd him moving things around for awhile then he was back on the phone couldn't find it told me to send it to him and he would regrind my cam. As it turned out he couldn't do it I'll alway cherish the half hour I talked to him even though it was over the phone. About 2 years ago I called Clay Smith about a camshaft for that olds the guy laffed at me "why would you build one of those " he said Ed would never afford at anyone looking for help that's the type of guy he was the world is a little worse off with him gone RIP Ed.
Alas poor Edward, we knew him well. A man of great character, integrity, honesty and knowledge. He will always be remembered as “ the Cam Father “, a husband to his wife, father to his children and hot rod hoodlum ( l mean that in a good way) .
One of the nicest famous guys I ever had the privilege to meet! RIP Isky! I've watched that video dozen times or more, but just watched it again as it's still worth watching over and over!
Hooked up with Ed in 1991, I wanted to buy one of his cigars and he told me it would be $1.00, so I took out a Canadian $2.00 bill and signed it and he pulled a cigar out of his pocket and presented it to me, and then autographed a $5.00 bill and laughed because I now had a $7.00 cigar. It sits very proudly in my trophy case. When I was building my flathead I phoned him and he did not have a cam but send him a cam and he would grind it for me, and it is still running strong. Thanks Racing Pal. Terry
Love all the videos popping up on social media of Isky cams crackling in the shop/ driveway. Heck of a tribute to a pretty huge legacy.
Ed Iskenderian. ISKY. The Camfather. , “Where everybody knows your name” A life well lived and a blessing to those who knew him. Thank you for the positive influence you had on so many of us. “Go rest high on that mountain. Your work here on earth is done.”
I think that the "Dream Wheel" was his best invention (or maybe someone else did it). I had a couple of them and shared them with friends over the years and sorry to say I don't have one today.
I think it was Baskerville who did a Hot Rod Heritage article on Isky around '78-'79. That article, and the humourous print ads that ran in Popular Hot Rodding cemented the man to my memory! His soft spot for, "the good ole boys" buying up his cams for stock car racing in the late forties/early fifties is a great footnote to a man who didn't forget his roots...
It seems like a lot of the most successful, biggest personalities in hot rodding and motor sports tended to depend on being loud, smug, obnoxious self-promoters to put themselves into the upper levels of their field. To the best of my knowledge, Ed Iskenderian never seemed to take this approach in building his business and reputation. Hopefully he will be missed and remembered for this philosophy as well as his many, more tangible contributions.
A true icon ….not only in the industry but as a person. I was lucky to have lunch a few times with him, Nick Arias, and Joe Fontana. I also sat at the same table with him many times at the Bonneville 200 MPH Banquet during Speed Week…. He is definitely a man you will never forget.
Even at 104 you have say dang, this is going to be felt by many. His name has been big with me since I was in the fifth grade in 1958 and spotted a Hot Rod Magazine that Steve Bitenvelt (sp?) had in his hand and searched the magazine rack and found an issue to check out. In truth that was probaly my moment when I went from a career as a scientist to being a mechanic. I probably could afford my hot rods a lot easier if I had become a scientist. There was an Isky cam add in the magazne and a mention of him in an article. Over the past 68 years I never remember anyone saying a bad word about the man and that is rare. Nothing but love and respect for the man. I had a buddy in high school who wanted one of his cams and called to ask about someting about it and it was several minutes into the conversation before he figured out that he was talking to Ed himself and not an order desk guy. He sent in the order for the cam with a post office money order that after noon. A few week later he caught hell from his folks for a 25 dollar middle of the afternoon long distance phone all to California though. That took his gas station pay from at least one check. I ended up helping put the cam in and that car ran like a bandit after he did a couple of things Ed told him to do. I've been looking at a cam kit for my 292 that they have and wish I had ordered it while he was still alive just because.
The Jalopy Journal
