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When Ed “Isky” Iskenderian turned 100 on July 10 2021, a celebration was held in Onyx, California to acknowledge his century of living well. The state was in a the middle of a massive heat wave, most of it in the central valleys where the affair was being held. That fact lowered participation for many who were reluctant to travel to an oven, even though they wanted to fete The Camfather.
There needed to be another party, closer to Ed’s Gardena, CA home and one that would include plenty of cars and people. Bruce Meyer, founding chairman of the Petersen Museum Automotive Museum on Los Angeles’ Miracle Mile had just the solution. “Bruce Meyer’s All-American Cruise-In” on July 25th was the perfect way to honor Isky.
In addition to the honoree, Meyer put together a group of hot-rodders and racers who have all been influenced in one way or another through their relationships with Iskenderian, and encouraged hot-rod owners throughout the Southern California area to bring their cars to the Petersen to celebrate.
And so they did. Cars began arriving before 8AM and continued to arrive throughout the morning, leaving the air heavy with the scent of oil, gasoline and other fuels. From T-buckets, a front-engine dragster, a Chevrolet El Camino hand-restored by its owner, 2012 NHRA Funny Car champ Jack Beckman, to a modern Formula Drift BMW, they arrived, they feted, laughed at the stories told and admired one another’s cars - and the exhibits in the Petersen Museum, that currently includes a Formula One exhibit centered on McLaren, Ferrari and Williams recent models.
The highlight was a panel discussion of Iskenderian’s life with racer “Gentleman” Joe Schubeck, Meyer, hot-rodder Don Prieto, master engine builder Ed Pink, drag racing legends Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Roland Leong, along with the guest of honor. Author Matt Stone, the author of Iskenderian’s new biography, “Isky,” moderated the panel. Much laughter ensued and Prieto, who noted that such affairs required a gift, presented Iskenderian with a photograph of his original, tiny shop in Gardena. The current Iskenderian factory is, of course, much larger.
After the panel discussion, all were invited to enjoy LA-famous Pink’s hot dogs, rummage through the garage area to enjoy the cars and to have copies of “Isky” and Meyer’s book “Deuce,” about the 1932 Ford and its place in hot rod culture, signed by the authors. The century-old Iskenderian neatly affixed his signature - in beautifully crafted cursive - to each book as he sat under a shielded tented, which kept him out of the rather warm sun, as he conversed with new book owners.
Concurrent with Iskenderian’s celebration, it was announced that Lions Automobilia Foundation museum, which celebrates the lost Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, will open to the public with pre-purchased tickets, under a schedule that allows initial access to the museum on Saturdays. Lions Automobilia Foundation & Museum, which has been closed since January 2020 due to COVID-19, requires adherence to current pandemic protocols. Mask and temperature-check are required, the museum stated.
The Petersen continues its efforts to bring the joy of motoring to the public. “Each month, our Breakfast Club cruise-ins gather enthusiasts from every corner of Los Angeles for a morning of conversation laughter, and some truly amazing cars,” said Terry Karges, the Petersen’s executive director. He went on to note that this cruise-in starred “the man who brought the hobby to life, Ed ‘Isky’ Iskenderian himself.” It appeared no one had more fun at the gathering than the honoree.'
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