Vic Edelbrock Jr. passes at 80

Vic Edelbrock Jr., a second generation giant of the aftermarket automotive parts industry, passed away on Friday at the age of 80 after complications from a cold, the company that bears his name announced.

"It's with deep sadness that we announce the untimely death of our visionary and leader Vic Edelbrock Jr.," read a statement on the company website. "Vic passed away this evening from complications following a recent cold. His passing was peaceful and in the company of his closest friends and family. The Edelbrock Fun Team sends their deepest condolences to his family and will always hold him in our hearts."

Edelbrock Jr. led the company's business after the death of his father in 1962, and took over the aftermarket performance parts company that bears his name after the untimely passing of his father, Vic Edelbrock Sr., who orginally founded it as an auto repair shop in Los Angeles in the early 1930s. After building a 1932 Ford Roadster project car, Edelbrock became a key player in the hot rod industry with the design and manufacture of the first Edelbrock intake manifold. Under Edebrock Jr.'s direction, the company grew into one of the largest performance parts entities in the world.