Becoming a Hot Rodding Legend - Ed Iskenderian Interview

Ed Iskenderian, otherwise known as "The Camfather" was the founder of Isky Racing Cams, an industry leader in performance parts during the hot rodding boom of the 1950s.
We sat down with Isky to learn how he got into hot rodding, how he got into building custom performance cams, and eventually becoming a household name throughout the hot rodding and racing communities.
To learn more about Isky Racing Cams or order parts (yes they're still in business!) check out www.iskycams.com/shop/
A special thanks to The Bungholers Club of Hollywood Calif. and Bly Blystone for supplying several period photographs of Isky used throughout this video. To see more classic images of salt flats racing and the golden era of hot rodding, check out the Bungholers at / 675582679518107
Video made in partnership with:
‪@Hagerty‬ : www.hagerty.com/

[@gitanoespana7694]

In 1979 Mr Iskendarian escorted my father and I through his shop and showed us his original hot rod. He is a true gentleman.

[@20alphabet]

It's spring of 2022, Ed is 100 years old and he still drives.

[@usmclee65]

77 yr old Hot rodder, we all love you Ed thanks for all you have done for us !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@qphase49]

I still remember Ed coming out to our house in South San Gabriel CA. to look at a 1926 Lincoln, Brunn bodied, dual cowl phaeton that my dad had. He pullled up in a beautiful, black, Duesenberg Model J sedan. It left a big impression on me as a kid. Classy guy in a classy car. Cheers Mr. Iskenderian!

[@jeffmac3071]

Wow, what a memory. Thanks for sharing.

[@tools6106]

Ed built the cam in Gary Ellards Green Hornet

[@crusherbmx]

"Legend" doesn't do him justice. This is so awesome!

[@crohnic_]

Ed is an absolute legend and a treasure to hot rodding. thanks for making this--he doesn't get enough credit

[@beniamino939]

I wish him another 100 years of cam making!

[@user-rr7kl9jz9o]

In 1980 My dad had a 50 merc w full race flathead - didnt run how he wanted- he wrote a letter to isky w all the specs - a month later the cam arrived- dad installed it and he said it was the best running flathead he ever built- he ran that merc all over town w a big smile on his face - he never used any cam but isky after that - Ed is an American hot rod legend

[@JBAutomotive794]

This is the best thing ive watched in a while. Ed is such a national treasure. He reminds me of my late grandfather, the greatest generation was really a special breed of folks. 🇺🇸

[@JC-gw3yo]

Ed is a great gentleman and a real character.. A fine human being

[@joecerisano6874]

This is an amazing film...Just as amazing is he's still around. He is definitely a living legend in my book..

[@milojanis4901]

Blessed we are to have him, and a few others. I must say, I've never, ever, been around a guy 100 years old that has his mental well being. He's sharp as it gets!! Love how he says....."Yeah, we did stumble onto something". BUT-He won't disclose just what that something is/was!!!

[@willythewave]

It was the 5-Cycle cam design (the fifth combustion cycle being the valve overlap period).

[@markmark2080]

This video is a real treat...

[@martinprehjan9944]

He should have mentioned his ancestry! It Is just cool to see another Armenian kicking ass at hot rodding! Specially back in the day!

[@judpitman8345]

Master grinder and legend. Beautifully told story, thank you.

[@SereneSpeed]

Beautiful. Had his products in my Volvo 1800es sportwagon. Made it less slow.

[@branon6565]

That man is an icon, a legend, the stories of his experiences, and mastery of his craft, must be recorded and saved for future generations....he reminds me of my Grandfather, he was born in 1920 and served at Utah Beach on D-Day in 1944....the stories their generation have are incredible....

[@kyleknebel6409]

I occasionally drive by his old shop on Slauson Blvd in Culver City, CA. It's still standing.

[@LawrenceRoss1906]

Right there at Slauson and Jefferson across from the Del Taco. I always think about what history that building has seen.

[@serget2168]

Someone should turn it into a shop again and keep the history going and by his last name ending with ian i would bet he's probably Armenian

[@Soxruleyanksdrool]

Is that by the Slausen cutoff?

[@seanhoward8025]

@@SoxruleyanksdroolGo to the Slauson Cutoff…and cut off your slauson.

[@michaelhedges2066]

Still 10' & bullet proof. Men like him there is still hope in the American dream. Thank you Ed. You help me too dream and have hope

[@dtucker300]

I would walk by his Inglewood machine shop facility every day on my way to Jr. High School in the 1960s.

[@alkennedy1124]

I love Ed ,he is vary smart and loves different things , I met him in 2009 maybe might of been earlier then that , I had good visit with him ,at all of the car shows,that we are at the same show, thanks Ed looking forward to having you help me with my racing project ok thanks buddy thanks BigAl California praise grace. 🙏❤

[@tools6106]

This is a great story, my friend Gary Ellard raced a 53 Hudson Hornet with a custom ground Isky cam. Still driving it today, added exhaust in the early 2000s, same engine and same cam but with dual quads on a straight 6! It is something to see, and hear!

[@JeffKopis]

Hudson was famous for their 305(ish) ci straight 6. It dominated NASCAR from 1951-53. With dual carbs from the factory, it was called "Twin H-Power".

[@tools6106]

@@JeffKopis 308ci bored out made 318!

[@Neil-ru7kw]

In the 90s I saw Ed and his cronies at Fabulous Burger at the corner of Broadway and Gardena Blvd . Talked to him several times . He would talk to anyone . Great guy 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo]

I remember going to Isky’s shop with my dad in the early 70’s to get a hot cam for a boat engine he was building. Isky Cams were what we talked about as kids and how the engine performance would change with a cam change.

[@abrahamgsolis]

Good-Ol American hard work and ingenuity.

[@20alphabet]

It's not hard work if you enjoy it.

[@timfenrich5328]

What a wonderful video! Thank you for your time and effort! Isky sure is a character 😊suburb content!

[@peterb121]

Love your camshafts Mr Iskenderian , used many different grinds in highly modified Windsors and Clevelands with excellent results.

[@41plymouthnut87]

Great man, great story.

[@boghosnubar7070]

He is my father's cousin, and his grandfather is called Melcon. The parents fled the Armenian Genocide and went to California. My father came to Brazil after passing through Argentina. Destiny is like that, choices define our lives. Another 100 years of life to the Armenian ed Iskenderian. Abriss.

[@Scott-gt6od]

No Words !!!!! What an Amazing Man.

[@Edward135i]

Incredible how Ed doesn't even sound old, my great grandmother made it to 99 and I could barely understand her when she spoke, But her mind was sharp like Ed's, that is key to making it to that age, you have to keep your mind active.

[@abrown5449]

Great job !! He is still as spry as ever...

[@HappyHarryHardon]

I was down in his neighborhood today. I’ve never met him but everyone around me has.

[@angeloah]

This guy is a modern day hero of the people. I love this. 🤘🔥😎🔥🤘

[@rickintexas1584]

What a legend! I remember reading about Isky cams back in the 70s. Now I feel bad that I bought a Melling cam for my 73 Buick Skylark instead of an Isky. It was fun back then.

[@LS-mw6lc]

How can anyone give a thumbs down on Mr. Iskenderuan? A true living legend??!! Idiots

[@SmittySmithsonite]

FANTASTIC video!! A true legend in the automotive world right here. THANKS, Ed, for your wonderful contribution to the hot rodding world! 👍👍

[@harryfeld1786]

Wonderful movie, wonderful man. If you were running an Isky cam back in the day that was serious stuff!!

[@mjmcomputers]

What a great story.

[@wormstrickland9117]

Need more videos like this!

[@flinch622]

One of the things that impresses me about Ed is how long some of his cam work has stood up. He had a knack that few can match.

[@Ever443]

Still sharp as ever, a true legend

[@earlt_vw]

Awesome. A true legend.

[@ncsteeltoe]

Wow. A true legend! Wow!

[@kibohei]

The “CamFather” !

[@xKmotx]

What a great man!

[@davebutler2776]

Happy late birthday greetings Ed 101 on the 10th what a great guy.

[@markwaltrip8960]

Born the same year as my mom one of the toughest generations out there when men were men and this is one hell of an American they have some of the best products out there they are second to none in valve train that family has a lot to be proud of!!!

[@jamescherney5874]

I had all of his decals on my bedroom window when I was a kid. I put an Isky Supercam in my first Chevy big block rebuild and have been using them in every rebuild since. Never had one fail and all performed well.

[@My2ndtimearound]

What a wonderful story about the pioneer.

[@bcbloc02]

I built a lot of gm engines with isky cams because their faster valve action gave more power under the curve. Long live Ed!

[@jons7771]

Looks like he's missing a finger. True devotion. Legend at 100 years old.

[@jasongreene303]

What a fantastic interview! Thanks to all for making it happen.

[@cjwallow]

Hall Of Fame Member .. old school legend

[@george1la]

He is toooooo much. What a great guy.

[@billywird]

Now that is a treasured interview.

[@SpnkyMcGee]

Exceptionally well done!

[@BustedNut-]

What an American legend! Good stuff!👍

[@MLFranklin]

I love this story. Glad you guys shared it. I'm even happier that he's still living. What a cool guy. Still very sharp after all these years. I remember several years ago looking for more information and being shocked that he didn't have a Wikipedia entry. Glad to see there is one now. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Iskenderian

[@ronschlaeger9227]

Excellent. There's nothing better than hearing history from one who was there.

[@johnsears4197]

That was AWESOME THE CAMFATHER pure gold THANKS

[@Anarchy-Is-Liberty]

Happy to be an Isky customer!! Great cams and lifters!

[@SoCal_Jerry]

Who in the h**l would give a thumbs down? A loser competitor Cam Grinder no doubt. I’ve met Isky many times and he is a super enthusiast. I’ll be seeing him in August at the Automobile Driving Museum GASSER SHOW. Always an honor to hear him speak. Still at 100 as sharp as a tack!!

[@JohnSmith-ps7wp]

I have an Isky hydraulic roller in my big bore 331 Ford. .050 Duration Int/Ext. 238/248 Valve Lift Int/Ext. 0.544/.573 12 to 1 compression on Philips 93 octane AFR 185s /.650 spring upgrade 4 : 10 rear end with 275 drag radials When 3000 rpm comes up it feels like you just turned on the supercharger : ) I've had several other hydraulic rollers in this engine and the Isky is the best by far.

[@BrokenWrenches]

what a gem of a guy. A hero of the hot rodding world……so unlike the owners of all the speed companies now!!!!!

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@rays7437]

I didn't know who Ed Iskenderian was until they said "Isky." I thought Isky was the real name, haha

[@jeffmac3071]

Not sure when this was filmed but Isky is 99 years old (2020).

[@raptorfromthe6ix833]

why would anyone dislike this :(

[@waynewilliams8554]

My first call to Isky in the late 60s and he answered, this is Ed. I about fell off my work stool. I needed two roller lifters. He said we sell them in full sets. I then explained they were installed dry and wiped them out, no other damage. Send me $14.50 and I'll send them. 17 year old kid talking to the man himself. Wow!! PS He just had his 101st birthday. What a man!!

[@backyardbuilttrucks1]

Hot rod royalty , a true icon . Why does he most always have a glove on his left hand.

[@JeffKopis]

I wish the interview had gone on for another 30 minutes!

[@vrm86gt]

So cool!

[@dano4572]

BEAUTIFUL

[@seanhoward8025]

Ed could…and probably still CAN…run his fingers across a cam and tell you if it had the optimum profile. A genius!!! I, too, remember the Culver City shop, damn near under the on ramp to the 90 Freeway. Wasn’t there a newer shop over by the Gardena/Compton area?

[@bobobibo2357]

Almost every famous Armenian you come across is 90 plus

[@kramermillay]

100 years old this year, still chiefing cigars. Fucking tank of a human.

[@fabmelgarkingfish]

The Camfather

[@nutellapromo8029]

The bewildered fiberglass conclusively call because pea osmotically kill anenst a freezing ox. holistic, uneven racing

[@JeffKopis]

Are you having a stroke??

[@daleolson3506]

The music junked another video 👎👎👎👎💩💩💩😬

[@BillyG869]

I’ve built Flatheads since 1959, my neighbors raced dirt track Jalopies and handed me a screwed up Isky Cam. I was 13 and clueless except I wanted to build a motor. My Mom gave me a $100 out of her savings and helped me go buy a junk motor. Granted it was shit show and a whole lot of smelly oil and bashed knuckles, I tore apart that old blown flathead and learned the guts of the beast. That one Never ran, but it had an Isky 404 and lifters. After that I met Temple, a Flathead Maniac in Lomita, California. I could get to his house in a half and hour and we’d end up at Lions for the weekend. He was officially crazy about flatheads. I could write a book about he culture of flatheads. One thing for certain, Ed Iskenderian who would be the most significant person as far as I would be concerned. And I still have a bunch of his cams in my shop, mostly to hold and cherish.