WHEELS IN MOTION

PETE CHAPOURIS . October 13, 2022 . All Feature Vehicles

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SO-CAL Arizona 40th Anniversary

We’ve been attending quite a few open houses lately, but this one has special meaning because 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of SO-CAL Speed Shop Arizona, aka Vintage Ford & Chevy Parts of Arizona. My wife Carol and I made the trek for the celebration on Saturday, Oct. 18 along with 500 of the faithful, and several hundred hot rods that jammed the SO-CAL AZ parking lots and surrounding neighborhood. Throughout the years the business has seen every manner of car enthusiast walk through its doors, from first-time tinkerers to some of the most respected legends in the collector car world—and the open house was no different.

Going back a few years, owner Frank Streff developed his love of cars at 14, mowing yards and doing odd jobs to earn enough cash to purchase his first car, a ’29 A square cab Ford pickup. When he turned 18 Frank was hired to work the parts counter at Vintage Ford Parts of Arizona, and in 1990 he realized the American dream and became the sole owner of the company.

Here’s a great shot of Frank and Mary’s SO-CAL Speed Shop Hiboy and F-100 pickup truck just before the gates opened for the open house.

In 1998, after Alex Xydias and I reestablished SO-CAL Speed Shop and were looking for a few good men (and women) to expand into SO-CAL stores, Frank and his wife Mary were invited to Pomona to talk business. It was a perfect fit. They soon became SO-CAL Speed Shop Arizona, with the new bigger store, SO-CAL AZ was fondly referred to by Alex as the “flagship” of the company. It was even featured on the cover of 2001 Hot Rod & Performance Buyer’s Guide as the retail store of the year.

The store has taken on a second life with the widely successful monthly Second Saturday event, now in its 10th year. Every second Saturday of the month at 6 a.m. the store opens its doors and parking lot for a car show, shoebox swap meet and free coffee and donuts, which is now an absolute must-attend event.

This shot of the store perfectly illustrates the old adage: if we don’t have it, you don’t need it.

Among other things, Frank and Mary promote educational seminars and how-to workshops with companies like Vintage Air, Classic Instruments, Ride Tech and Dakota Digital. The Streffs believe it’s important to add value to product sales with complimentary events such as these, and they take pride in having a knowledgeable staff tied to great customer service.

Congratulations to Frank and Mary, their dedicated staff, customers, friends and family who have made “40 Years of FLAT OUT SO-CAL AZ” possible!

This column is dedicated to the life and times of SO-CAL’s dear friend and Arizona hot rodder Don Stevens.