Shannons Club is sad to report that Pete Chapouris, co-founder of Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts and most recently President of So-Cal Speed Shop, has passed away Jan 6 due to complications from a stroke. He died peacefully in the hospital surrounded by his wife Carol, daughter Nicole and son Pete IV.
Pete a San Gabriel Valley, California, native grew up around fast cars, influenced in no small part by his father, who had a series of customised hot rods.
Working for Clayton Manufacturing building dynamometers in the late-1960s, he fabricated a series of hot rods for himself including a 1934 lakes coupe that caught the attention of Rod & Custom staffer Gray Baskerville.
Gary was following the build of another 1934 coupe by former R&C staffer Jake Jacobs. The pair was featured on the cover of R&C, while Pete’s flamed coupe became the star of the movie The California Kid starring Martin Sheen.
It wasn’t long before the two went into business starting Pete and Jakes Hot Rod Repair, building customer cars and also a project car for HOT ROD magazine.
With Jake’s ability to create parts for Model As and Early Ford cars, and Pete’s business and marketing savvy, Pete and Jakes became synonymous for state-of-the-art hot rods and parts in the mid-1970s from their shop in Temple City.
They went on to build a series of projects to help promote their component lines. By 1987 they sold their business. Pete went on to the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA), helping to form the Street Rod Equipment Association.
From there Pete teamed up with Bob Bauder to again build cars, and then broke away to form what became So Cal Speed Shop (after putting the idea to So Cal founder Alex Xydias).
This became a highly successful business, resulting in numerous franchises throughout the country as well as extensive So Cal merchandise.
Pete leaves behind his wife of 50 years Carol, daughter Nicole, son Peter IV, and five grandkids. His influence on the Hot Rod scene can't be over stated and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Shannons were very fortunate to work with Pete Chapouris and Jimmy Shine during the filming of a special TV commercial featuring a local build of his So Cal Roadster. In dealing with Pete we found him to be a thorough gentleman and very personable.
Along with Jimmy, Pete helped to create one of our best and most memorable Shannons commercials, which we hope is just a small part of the wonderful legacy he has left behind.
We are very saddened by this news and would like to extend our sincere condolences to his wife Carol, his family and friends, including Jimmy, as well as the broader Hot Rodder scene.
