The Last Interview – Behind the Legend Part 3 | Alex Taylor

Video Description from YouTube:

Isky Founder, Ed Iskenderian passed away at age 104 surrounded by loved ones. This is the final interview to the “behind the legend” series we filmed with Alex Taylor at the early stages of the Isky Tribute T build in 2023.

We invite you all to the Celebration of Life being held for Ed at the Lions Museum Sunday March 1, 2026 at 5 PM.

There is a limited number of tickets, so please use the link below to reserve yours if you plan to attend.

https://events.lionsautomobilia.org/e…

Edward “Isky” Iskenderian
July 10, 1921 – February 3, 2026
Beloved Hot Rod Pioneer, Entrepreneur, Mentor, and Industry Legend Edward “Isky” Iskenderian — a towering figure in American automotive culture, affectionately known as the “Camfather” — passed away peacefully at the age of 104 after a life that irrevocably shaped hot rodding, drag racing, and the performance aftermarket.

Born on July 10, 1921, in Tulare County, California to Armenian immigrant parents, Ed’s passion for speed, engineering and innovation was evident from an early age. A lifelong tinkerer and enthusiast, he built his first hot rod, a Model T roadster, during his teens — a machine he would later race at more than 120 mph on the dry lakes, foreshadowing a career of performance and ingenuity.

After serving with the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II, Ed returned to Southern California and founded what would become Isky Racing Cams, starting with a single, self-built cam-grinding machine. Through decades of innovation — from pioneering new camshaft profiles to introducing contingency awards and professional sponsorships in drag racing — Ed helped define how racing engines were built and marketed. His relentless curiosity, mechanical brilliance, and larger-than-life personality earned him a place among several Halls of Fame including the SEMA Hall of Fame, the Motorsports Hall of Fame and Chevrolet’s “Legends of Performance” and he inspired generations of racers, builders, and enthusiasts worldwide.

In 1963, Ed was elected the first president of the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association (now SEMA) and helped to unite and grow the performance aftermarket industry. His influence extended far beyond camshafts; he was a mentor, friend, ambassador, and storyteller — always ready with a technical insight or a humorous anecdote about the sport he loved.

Ed’s legacy touches every corner of the performance automotive culture. Not merely for the parts that bear his name, but for the spirit of innovation, dedication, and community he championed. He remained an active, beloved figure at car shows, races, and shop gatherings well into his centenarian years.

He is survived by his children Richard, Timothy, Amy, eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, his brother Ben, countless friends he made along the way and a global community of racers and builders who will carry forward his vision of speed, craftsmanship, and passion.