Vic Edelbrock Jr. took over as President and CEO of the company that his father started upon his untimely death in 1962. Only 26 years old, the younger Edelbrock held both of those positions until 2010 when he stepped down as President but remained as chairman of the board of directors until his passing.
Taking over the company with just ten employees, Vic Jr., grew the company into a major brand in the aftermarket automotive industry. His awareness of the industry vaulted him into positions like President of SEMA from 1971 to 1974, during a period when the government crackdown on vehicle emissions threatened to kill the aftermarket automotive industry. He guided the organization and his business through the tough times ensuring the hobby would survive for automotive enthusiasts.
Vic not only served as president of SEMA, he was on the board of directors from 1967 to 1989. He was an avid flyer and automotive racer, often driving at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
He was 80 years old. We expect to have more information coming shortly.
Our sister magazine was fortunate to sit down with Vic Jr., for a one on one interview in 2012. You can read that interview here: We Sit Down With The Legendary Vic Edelbrock Jr.