The camshaft manufacturer known as hot rodding’s “Camfather” is Ed Iskenderian, founder of Isky Racing Cams.
Iskenderian began grinding performance camshafts in Southern California after World War II, when racers struggled to obtain specialized parts. He adapted a used cylindrical grinder and built a cam-grinding setup, turning a practical solution for his own cars into a major performance business.
His camshafts became influential in dry-lakes racing, drag racing, stock cars, and other forms of motorsport. Iskenderian also pioneered coordinated cam-and-valve-spring kits and several valve-train technologies, making performance upgrades easier for ordinary enthusiasts. The nickname “Camfather” reflects both his engineering influence and his role in popularizing racing cams.
He is sometimes confused with other early speed-equipment figures such as Wally Parks, Dean Moon, or Vic Edelbrock. Iskenderian’s separate legacy includes helping establish SEMA in 1963 and serving as the organization’s first president.