The Edelbrock Challenge
In the early days of the automotive performance industry either you ran what was available, or you fabricated something you thought met all of your needs. Such needs were the building blocks of this industry, and it was through the efforts of many that we now have the automotive aftermarket, but it was through the work of one name in particular to which many in the industry owe a great debt, and that name is Edelbrock.
The Beginning
Vic Edelbrock Sr. was born in a small town farming community near Wichita, Kansas in 1913. Vic's father supported the family comfortably as the owner of a local grocery store. When the Edelbrock grocery store burned down in 1927, Vic had left school at age 14 to help support the family. Vic had a natural talent for mechanics. Vic's first job was at an auto repair shop where he developed his skills as an auto mechanic. When the Great Depression hit Kansas, then young Vic Edelbrock looked to the prosperous West for a new home.
A New Start for Edelbrock in California
In 1931, Vic moved to California to live with his brother. It was there that he met Katie, who became his wife in 1933. With his new brother-in-law, Vic had opened his first repair shop on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. The business quickly flourished and in 1934 he moved into his own shop on the corner of Venice and Hoover in Los Angeles. Bobby Meeks, who retired in 1993, started up with Vic at this time and became his loyal assistant. Between 1934 and the start of the war, several very important events occurred. Vic Sr.’s reputation as an expert mechanic had helped his business grow and he moved his shop three times during this period. Vic and Katie’s only child, Vic Jr., was born in 1936. In 1938, Vic Sr. purchased his first project car… a 1932 Ford Roadster. This car was a turning point in the Edelbrock history. It was Vic Sr.’s first entry into the world of “hot rods” and it inspired the design and manufacture of the first Edelbrock intake manifold.
Vic's First Purpose-Built Shop
Business flourished and in 1949, Vic moved into his very first purpose-built shop on Jefferson Blvd. It was 5,000 sq. ft. and equipped with a small machine shop, auto repair bays, engine dynamometer, a small stock room and some office space. In this new facility, Vic expanded his business by designing even more cylinder heads, more intake manifolds and even racing pistons for several different applications. |
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And history brings us to today where Edelbrock is the top name not only in cylinder heads but performance carburetors. Nopw you can purchase Edlebrock products online at Discount prices right here at BT Automotive. |
