By Nathan Bagster
When it comes to performance, there are many big names in the automotive world, but one of the big ones is Edelbrock. Gearheads that are versed in the world of small blocks, big blocks, and cubic inches (oh my) you may have heard the name once or twice. But, in case you haven’t, we’re going to go into a little bit about who they are and their history.
In The Beginning…
In 1938, a young mechanic named Vic Edelbrock Sr. had been building quite a reputation for himself. Skilled with a wrench and ripe with a passion for racing, Vic wanted to create a carburetor that exceeded the current benchmark and excelled in racing applications.
Thus, the Edelbrock company was born.
Designed for the flathead Fords that were common among hot rodders and racers at the time, Vic’s first product was a smashing success. The piece was called “The Slingshot” and it was an aluminum intake manifold that held two Stromberg 97 carburetors.
In the years that followed, Vic continued to refine his designs, including a changed perception after lending his machining skills to the war effort. Using his experiences from WW2, he began to incorporate new methods, technologies, and materials to improve the performance of his products.
The Evolution of Edelbrock
Over the decades, Edelbrock has continued to evolve with the industry and stay ahead of its competitors.
50’s
At the turn of the decade, Vic had begun to build the Edelbrock parts catalog, including the "X1" manifold, designed to increase the mixture of air flow and fuel to the engine. By ’52, many of the famous roadsters running the dry lakes of Southern California were toting hunks of metal with the Edelbrock name adorned to them. One such package would come to be known as the “Edelbrock Special” a combination of the Edelbrock 4-carb intake, Edelbrock heads, and pistons.
While this was happening, Vic continued growing the brand, adding parts from the likes of automotive legends Paul Scheifer, Ed Iskenderian, Harmon & Collins, and Ed Winfield, to name a few. He began to expand from the Ford-based products of previous years and by ’55, had cornered the Chevrolet Market.
After producing 2 smash hits, the three-carb intake manifold (that made its way onto the cover of the well-known Hot Rod magazine), and the six-carb Ram Log manifold for the street and strip, Vic made history in ’58.
He was able to make 283 HP from a 283 cid small-block Chevy, the first time anyone had reached one horsepower-per-cubic-inch. The win earned him a spot among Chrysler and Pontiac development.
‘60s
Sadly, Vic passed away in 1962 from cancer, and the reins of the company were handed down to his son. In the years after Vic’s passing, Edelbrock introduced several new products and innovations, including the Performer Series carburetors. Known for their ease of tuning, dependable performance, and adaptability to a wide variety of engines, they became a popular choice among racers and street enthusiasts alike.
6 Decades Later…
Edelbrock continues to innovate and improve the industry standard by staying ahead of the curve. Even now, with its new self-tuning E-Street EFI Fuel Injection system, the company maintains its seat at the top of the food chain.
The Importance of Edelbrock In Racing
Without a doubt, Edelbrock has played a huge role in the world of racing for nearly 100 years. From drag racers to off-road racers, and everyone in between, they have continued to corner the market with ever-evolving products and performance boosters.
They continue to serve that legacy by being instrumental in the development of new racing tech, with their designs carrying the brunt of success. From new engines to fresh and inventive fuel combinations, Edelbrock has continued to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of racing and hot rodding and is still helping to shape the sport today.