Alex Xydias, founder of the So-Cal Speed Shop, was given the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent Hot Rod & Restoration Trade Show held in the Indiana Convention Center. The annual award recognizes contributions to the business and hobby of hot rodding and restoration, Xydias is the seventh person to receive the award.
Xydias started So-Cal Speed Shop in Burbank, CA, in 1946, and he was the first to break the 200 mph barrier in his "So-Cal Steamliner" in 1950. Later in his career he served as the editor of Car Craft Magazine and publisher of the hot rod industry trade magazine Hot Rod Industry News (both owned by Petersen Publishing), Xydias was also the director of the Petersen Trade Show, a precursor to the SEMA Trade Show.
Xydias follows a distinguished line of Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award winners including Wally Parks, Carroll Shelby, George Barris, Vic Edelbrock, Andy Granatelli, and the Ford family.
Xydias’ trophy, a bronze sculpture by Steve Posson titled "Running at the Lakes," will be displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.