Hello everyone, welcome to the latest addition to the SO-CAL Speed Shop family- let us proudly introduce the SO-CAL Speed Shop Los Angeles! This new hot rod emporium has long been the dream of new SO-CAL L.A. President Jim Aust. That name is probably familiar to many of you from his editorial work in such magazines as Rod & Custom, The Rodder’s Journal, Street Rodder, Hop Up, the Goodguys Gazette, Sport Truck and Custom & Classic Trucks over the last decade. Jim’s work in those magazines always reflected his deep passion for the varied topics ranging from technical pieces and vehicle features to in-depth history pieces involving the sport of hot rodding and customizing.

Jim Aust’s deep love of hot rodding history is what cemented the relationship with the SO-CAL Speed Shop originally founded in 1946 by Alex Xydias and reborn by another great rodding legend Pete Chapouris. The original SO-CAL Speed Shop was first born out of a need Alex Xydias recognized for rodders to buy the parts required to build and maintain their hot rods in one location rather than running from shop to shop gather items from early pioneers like Vic Edelbrock and Ed Iskenderian. That same need was addressed by Pete Chapouris when he re-established the SO-CAL Speed Shop name in 1999.

Using the blueprint written by his idols, Jim Aust extends the SO-CAL tradition by utilizing his extensive knowledge of hot rods and all things automotive and setting up a much needed retail outlet to serve the needs of fellow hot rodders- and today those needs are greater than any other time in history! Jim’s own personal automotive background goes as deep as his DNA being a third generation Southern California hot rodder. Raised attending swap meets, car shows and spending many hours in the garage restoring and rebuilding cars alongside his father Pat Aust, Jim was a walking encyclopedia of automotive trivia even before leaving grade school, often being called upon for advice from others many times his own age. All his life Jim has studied every piece of automotive literature he could get his hands on, but his favorite has always been hot rod related- especially material from before he was even born in 1966. After time spent with a career in the Aerospace industry a position at Petersen Publishing utilizing Jim’s knowledge gained through his over 10,000 piece magazine collection was inevitable. Just as his journalistic hero Gray Baskerville had told Jim when he asked about starting a hot rod writing career, “It just happens” as “Ol’ Dad” had wisely informed him.

A start in the industry at Sport Truck magazine eventually led to writing opportunities for Jim with The Rodder’s Journal. That work caught the attention of Gary Meadors at the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association which began a three year road trip for Jim cris-crossing the country to all of their events as editor of their magazine. Eventually Rod & Custom Magazine came calling and Jim did not need to be asked twice to join the magazine he first fell in love with as a kid. During his time in the Senior Editor’s chair (the same position previously filled by his hero Gray Baskerville). Jim enjoyed one of the best times of his adult life while at Rod & Custom as well as making many of the contacts that would eventually be invaluable in the formation of his own dream of a hot rod emporium- in this case the SO-CAL Speed Shop Los Angeles.

With the full support and encouragement of all the people at SO-CAL Speed Shop headquarters including Pete Chapouris and Alex Xydias, Jim Aust looks forward to continuing the SO-CAL legend well into the future to assist and inspire the current and next generations of hot rodders.