08/28/2026
This Week in Gearhead History: In August 1949, Alex Xydias took the So-Cal Speed Shop Streamliner to the first Bonneville Nationals with a new, Meeks-built Mercury V8 and set a Class C Streamliner record at 189.745 mph! Their top speed was 193.54 mph.
"Alex Xydias was the heart and soul of early Hot Rodding. Without him, this whole industry would be very different. I had the honor to meet Alex years ago when Pete Chapouris was resurrecting So Cal Speed Shop, and I had the opportunity to spend some time with that legendary belly tanker. It was sitting there in the shop when we were doing a segment on So Cal, and I thought it would be really cool for me to start the show from inside the car. Jimmy Shine, the talented builder/fabricator, was working there at the time, and encouraged me to do it. Unfortunately, my body is much larger than Alex’s and pretty soon I was stuck sideways in the cockpit. I had to take my belt off and almost lost my pants getting back out! Jimmy thought it was hilarious and we’ve been friends ever since. The point is there were no safety rules or regulations, belts, cages, or roll bars when these guys started. Just a dream, the joy of competition, and balls of steel. Thanks Alex, for what you started. We’ll make sure to keep it going… hopefully with our pants on!" - Stacey
*Story and photos from American Hot Rod Foundation
