Longtime magneto guru Don Zig will take his final ride down the dragstrip this weekend at Famoso Raceway during the California Hot Rod Reunion. Zig passed away last May, but many of his friends and customers will be at the reunion where his wife of 35 years, Carmen Price, will place some of his ashes next to Zig’s tree in the famed Grove. The ashes are also expected go for a drive during competition. There is some debate as to whether such a tribute is legal, so the vehicle and time will remain a close secret for but a few insiders. But it’s certainly a fitting closure that pays respects to a passionate drag racer and well-respected technician who served the racing community for many years.

Owner of Don Zig Magnetos, Zig was born with another name but his friends and associates have always known him by that moniker. He was 81 years old when he passed away. The business will continue operating with longtime manager Joe Anderson running the Los Angeles-based shop.

Zig served in the Army during the Korean War. Prompted by officials from Howards Cams, Zig interviewed at Hunt Magnetos where he ended up working for eight years. His next job was at Arias; there, he often talked by phone with a lady ordering pistons for a Northern California shop. An avid hot rodder, she later moved to Southern Cal and attended the races. One night at OCIR she met Zig for first time.

“And we’ve been together ever since,” says Carmen.

Zig never manufactured magnetos; instead, he serviced, repaired and customized popular brands such as Vertex and Mallory. He often made replacement parts that the original manufacturers stopped producing. Later, he developed his own coils.

Don Zig next to his tree in the Grove at Famoso Raceway.

“He really knew how to make them work,” says Carmen.

Don Zig magnetos were campaigned by some of the most popular and influential racers, including Kenny Bernstein, Whit Bazemore and Al Teague in addition to working with leading engine builders like Ron Shaver. He was inducted into the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame as Manufacturer of the Year in 2007. He was noted for not only his expertise with magnetos but also his reliable and quick service.

“He would get a mag from a racer on Sunday night after the race or Monday morning, fix it by Tuesday and have it at their hotel room by Thursday,” remembers Carmen.

Also active in drag racing, Zig started with a G/Gas Willys coupe in the ’60s. One of his better known cars with an Anglia with a straight-6 Buick called the “Straight Ape.” In the ’70s he campaigned a BB/FC funny car called “Hawkeye” with Bob Liligard and Frank Harris handling the driving chores. Helping Zig in the pits was partner Richard Dietz. The money from the sale of “Hawkeye” helped Zig launch his business in 1980 after leaving Arias.