Alex Xydias

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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.

In 1946, immediately after Xydias was discharged from the United States Army Air Corps after serving as a B-17 engineer during World War II, he opened the So-Cal Speed Shop in Burbank, one of the first hot rod shops in Southern California. In 1950, he was the first person to break the 200 mph barrier with his hot rod named the "So-cal-Streamliner", which was powered by an Edelbrock V-8 60 engine^[1]. One secret to his success was a mixture of 40 percent nitromethane and not the grinding of the cams, as was commonly told.^[2]

He is a member of the board of directors of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.