Vic Edelbrock Sr.  was a pioneering figure in the American automotive performance industry, renowned for his engineering innovations and contributions to motorsports. Born in Kansas, Edelbrock moved to California in 1931, where he initially worked as an auto mechanic. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to open his own repair shop in Los Angeles in 1938, marking the beginning of the Edelbrock brand. 

During World War II, Edelbrock’s machine shop contributed to the war effort by fabricating parts in the Long Beach shipyard. After the war, he focused on developing high-performance parts for hot rods, starting with his first product, the Slingshot intake manifold for flathead Fords. His commitment to innovation and performance quickly established Edelbrock as a leader in the industry. 

In 1946, Edelbrock expanded into midget car racing, purchasing a car made by Frank Kurtis to serve both as a competitive racer and a test bench for his developing products. Edelbrock’s team, including famed drivers like Walt Faulkner, Bill Vukovich, and Rodger Ward, toured the Southern California dirt track circuit. A major milestone came on August 10, 1950, when Rodger Ward drove the Edelbrock-powered #27 car to victory at Gilmore Stadium, breaking the dominance of Offenhauser-powered midget cars. This victory was a testament to Edelbrock’s engineering prowess and innovative use of nitromethane fuel. 

Edelbrock’s engineering milestones extended beyond the racetrack. In 1955, he embraced the Chevrolet small-block engine, developing a series of high-performance parts that revolutionized the hot rod market. His 1958 achievement of extracting one horsepower per cubic inch from a 283 cid small-block Chevy was a landmark in automotive engineering. 

Under his leadership, the Edelbrock company grew rapidly, releasing popular products like the Cross Ram Manifold for Pontiac and Chrysler engines and the C-4B intake manifold for Chevrolet engines. By the time of his death in 1962, Edelbrock’s company had ten employees and annual sales of $450,000. 

Vic Edelbrock, Sr.’s legacy continued under the stewardship of his son, Vic Edelbrock, Jr., who expanded the company into a global brand synonymous with automotive performance. The company’s innovative spirit, rooted in Vic Sr.’s passion and ingenuity, continues to influence the automotive industry today. 

Edelbrock’s contributions to motorsports and automotive performance have left an indelible mark, making him a revered figure in the history of American racing and engineering.