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Alex Xydias (born March 22, 1922 in Los Angeles) was an influential figure in the early days of the auto racing sport involving hot rods. Xydias served in World War II as radio operator and engineer on a B-17. He flew over Germany, where he was shot down and taken prisoner. In 1946, immediately after Xydias was discharged from the United States Army Air Corps, he opened the So-Cal Speed Shop in Burbank, one of the first hot rod shops in Southern California. In 1950, he drove the first streamliner powered by a Flathead Ford to go over 200 mph (320 km/h). His hot rod was named the "So-cal-Streamliner" and powered by an Edelbrock V-8 60 engine.[2] One secret to his success was a mixture of 40 percent nitromethane and not the grinding of the cam, as was commonly told. He is a member of the board of directors of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. |
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