The “Camfather” has left the building. Edward “Isky” Iskenderian, 104, passed away February 3, 2026. Family members have said his passage was peaceful, which is an anomaly for a man whose entire lifespan was built on noise, vibration and harshness.
Born July 10, 1921 as the son of Armenian immigrant parents, Isky started life in California’s centrally-located Tulare County and grew up with a need for speed, especially after the family moved south to the Los Angeles area. Even in childhood all he cared about was fast cars and making them even faster. Always a tinkerer, with an innate passion for all things mechanical and quick, as a teen Ed Iskenderian built his first hot rod, a Ford Model T and raced that car at more than 120mph in dry lakes competition.
It was the first of countless times at a racetrack, thinking about racing, building machinery to race. And it took him quite a while to get that engine in the Model T up and running, moving from the “Fronty” overhead cam conversion to adopting the flathead V8, which had larger bearings and proved stronger and more durable.
In his 20s, World War II interrupted Isky’s self-made technical education and he joined the U.S. Army Air Force, afterwards returning to Southern California and forming the company that became Isky Racing Cams, originally located in Culver City and currently in Gardena. The enterprise began with a single, self-built cam grinding machine and went on to define camshaft machining.
Cam profiles produced by Isky and his company innovated the business and helped define how racing engines were designed, constructed and sold. His company integrated manufacturing with promotion, offering contingency awards and professional backing, primarily in the drag racing community.
It was Ed Iskenderian’s curiosity that defined his ability to distill engineering puzzles and his outsized personality that brought racers to his business. The awards that followed his lengthy career, including induction to Halls of Fame including SEMA’s, the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association that made Isky their first president, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and Chevrolet’s “Legends of Performance” are only a few of the tributes he received during his extensive lifetime.
There’s no doubt that SEMA and the aftermarket industry wouldn’t have had the growth they’ve experienced over the decades without the influence of The Camfather, who became a mentor to millions, an ambassador for the industry and the sports of straight-line, oval and sports car road racing. He could – and did – regale anyone around him with his technical capabilities, his insights and his ability to make the impossible achievable.
Ed Iskenderian had a hard time slowing down and his appearances at car shows, conventions, races and shop gatherings continued into his centenarian years. He appeared at vintage drag races, at NHRA events, Nitro Revivals, at the Performance Racing Industry and SEMA shows, always carefully signing autographs, answering questions about engines, posing for photos and sharing stories that will be told for years.
Ed Iskenderian leaves behind his children Richard, Timothy and Amy, together with eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, his brother Ben – and all of us, the friends he made in his life. The global community of racers and builders is a bit smaller now, but Isky’s vision of speed, craftsmanship and passion will certainly endure. And most likely longer than the 104 years Ed Iskenderian shared with the motoring world.
Ed was a very revered father of hotrods! I remember reading his ads in Hot Rod in the 1960’s. I have a Corvette in the garage with one of his cams. RIP Ed. I hope there’s a good machine shop in the great beyond for you!
I met Ed at the old “Meltdown Drags” in Byron.,IL a few years back. What a gentleman. Easy to talk to and so gracious. RIP Ed, you’ll be missed. Condolences to his family.
I tore down an 81 Vette and backed half it. Put an Isky Blower cam in the small block and ran it at Detroit Dragway. Had the pleasure of speaking with Ed around 1991….what a great guy! My race car ran at the strip for over 3 years and then 4 years on the street. It was a solid lifter and the idle was really cool and rough. Miss ya Ed, you will be working on hot rods for another 100 years……..Ron “The Warlock”
I had several conversations with Ed over the years. but this was one was the best. I had bought one his cams for a 327, When I checked for piston to valve clearance there wasn’t enough. I called Ed with the problem he sent me a set of round Vixen cutters so I could flycut the pistons in the block using a bare head as a jig, they worked perfect. When I was done with them I offered them to a fellow racer and engine builder friend of mine named Dale Hall from Simsbury Ct. When Dale saw them he said where the hell did you get these, I told him that Ed had sent them to me because the cam he sold me was too big for my set up and I thought you would get more use from them then I would. That’s my Ed story I hope you enjoy it, Phil.
Talked With Mr ED And Norris Alot My 62 Red Vette Ran His 505 Roller Gear Drive W Rev Kit Best Cam I Got The 1st One In Florida Ran C/MS With Russ Barfield Heads He Was The Best & Easy To Talk And Work With RIP ED
I bought an ISKY 310 HYDRAULUIC and lifters in 1967. I was 18 years old. I’ll be 80 this year. Still running that same cam today. It is the only cam I ever bought. It has been in two 1955 and two 1956 Chevys. I did buy new lifters for each new build. It is now in my 55 Chevy, 355 Chevy small block, 10/1 pistons aluminum heads etc. Dynode at 510 hp. I talked to Ed at the melt down in Bryon IL a few years back, told him this story. One of his of people (all in fun) said you cheapskate you couldn’t buy another one in all these years. He started something great!
This is one a few men where it all began without them🤩 we would be forced to drive stock boring shit. God bless the gray beards. Stomp on the loud pedal. ❤️ the red man 😎
God bless Ed Iskenderian. He was a model for all of us erstwhile hot rod builders back in the day. And he showed us that individual inventiveness could pay off.
My wife and I met Ed at PRI in Florida. He was very gracious, had a nice conversation with him. And then, we took a picture together. I have that picture in my waiting room at our shop. I am looking at it as I write this. We will all see you in Hot Rod heaven when we get there Ed. And thanks for all the innovations and legacy you have left us.
In 1965, as a 16 yr old and a T TIMER Car Club hangaround, Isky visited our pits at San Fernando Dragstrip… I was lost for words and humbled in his presence. He was my hero. Since then, over the decades, he was like an uncle and friend. At 76 yrs, I am still 6’1″ and 180# Thanks to Isky and FabulousBurger in Gardena….the pigeons are also saddened. RIP DEAR FRIEND….(deepseadiver)
The Stuff that Legends are made of…. Ed will not appear at the Tracks and Shows, but his memory will live on.. Thanks for all of your effort Ed, We will never forget. And a Side note to Ms. Anne Proffit – Your comments on Ed and his Career are an outstanding Tribute to an outstanding person. Thank You Ma’am…
What a legend.
I installed am Isky 30/30 Duntov grind in my 327 years ago and loved that rumble!
Heaven has an awesome addition!