Ed Iskenderian, July 10, 1921 – February 4, 2026

Edward Iskenderian. Or as most called him, Ed Iskenderian. More importantly, for decades, he was simply known as “Isky,” or the “Camfather,” the guy whose company made the camshafts in a large number of engines under the hoods (along with many without hoods) of hot rods from coast to coast. It was sad to learn of his passing, but after several days of contemplation, I decided a tribute was in order.

Born to Armenian immigrants in California, Isky became interested in hot rods at an early age. His interest was interrupted by World War II, in which he served as a pilot flying supply missions for the Army Air Force. After the war, his hot rodding interest resumed and he started building hot rods. In a twist that would change the hot rodding world forever, Isky grew impatient with the long wait for racing camshafts (just couldn’t get anything with a couple mouse clicks back then) and decided to make his own. We could say “and the rest is history,” but we’d be neglecting other important milestones. Isky was ahead of the curve as far as marketing, and had the foresight to advertise his business in the second issue of a start up publication, known as “Hot Rod” magazine. He was the first to promote his business with t-shirts, the first to initiate corporate sponsorship by teaming up with some guy name Garlits, and the first to offer contingency awards to racers displaying his decals. He fostered many innovative ideas as far as camshaft and lifter design through the years.

Like most everyone else involved with cars when I was growing up, Isky was my component of choice when picking the camshaft for my engine. I got a custom ground unit that I had to wait months on, but it was worth it to have a genuine Isky cam in my engine. Years later, I had the opportunity to meet the man in person at a Gasser Reunion race (brainchild of Ernest McIntyre) in 2007 attended by a lot of legends of the sport. I was amazed at how intelligent and sharp he was for his age, which was 86 at that time. I told him of the stories my powertrain professor in college would tell about the days when he raced against him, and Isky took me aside and told a number of stories of his own from those days, the people his cars raced against and how things were back then. Every sentence was so full of details and carefully explained! All with a very big smile on his face. I wish I would’ve had the means to record those stories at that time, but alas I didn’t. It was such a blessing to be able to meet him in person, to get a glimpse inside what made one of the legendary geniuses of motorsports tick. It was also a blessing to have someone so integral with the growth of motorsports with us for 104 years. Thank you for the memories, Mr. Iskenderian, and Godspeed.