Nick Arias, the founder of Arias Pistons, passed away on January 2, 2017.

Arias was, in his own words, crazy about cars from a young age.

"Some of us outgrew it, but a lot of us didn’t," Arias said in a biography posted on his website. "Trying to figure out how to make an engine work better is just as much fun today as it was when I first started working on street rod engines in my garage 70-plus years ago."

Arias began his hot-rodding career following World War II, and proudly brags about attending the first organized drag race in Goleta, Ca., back in 1949.

"Loud engines, fast cars and competition from all over…it was a young Hot-Rodder’s dream," Arias admitted.

Arias worked at Wayne Manufacturing, a company located close to Venolia pistons, a place he credits for teaching him the intricacies of engines, pistons, cylinder heads and combustion chamber design.

Arias served in the Korean War, and after years of being involved in more hot rodding launched Arias Pistons in 1969. By 1972, he introduced what was then considered a state-of-the-art Hemi-head conversion for the Big-Block Chevy.

Most recently, Arias was presented with the Lifetime Achievement for Manufacturing Award at the 2000 California Hot Rod Reunion. Five years later, he was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.

"You would think I’d be taking it easy, but I’m still hard at work, trying to put a lifetime of hard-earned knowledge and hands-on practical experience to use developing and building performance components - now available from my new company Nick Arias Jr. Racing Components," Arias said. "I don’t know about being the 'Legend behind the Legends,' but my life story is all about making great engines, pistons and speed components that I am proud to stand behind."

We couldn't have said it any better Nick, rest in peace buddy, you have earned it.