Albert Champion

[woody 73]

Albert was born in Paris on April the 5th, 1878 and he died on Oct. the 26th, 1927; he is buried at the Pe're Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. He was 49 years old when he died and legend has it the man who beat him up in a fist fight over a love affair died some six months later also from another beating, some would say poetic justice...

The History of this man is so rich on the web please be sure and look over a few of the links and read about his life and the AC Spark plugs Company that he started.

Now for a special note, (may I burn in hot motor oil) but...I am not sure if the following spark plug tool is vintage or not.
I wish I could tell you it is at least 50 years old but I have know clue as to its age? If anyone thinks this post story belongs in the general tool section just have a Mod put it there.

The links:

http://www.ntbp.com/sparkplug/enghistory.htm

https://www.thoughtco.com/inventors-of-the-spark-plug-4074529

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Champion_(cyclist)

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2006/01/Albert-Champion/1281809.html

http://www.mycitymag.com/a-spark-of-brilliance-the-flamboyant-albert-champion/

http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/albert-c-champion/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-GG...m=113356080488&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

 

[3baygarage]

Very nice Woody, thank you for sharing his history. From cyclist to spark plugs!

You crack me up as always too.

Here is my small contribution, an AC branded 3/8 drive “Reechet”. For those who don’t know, it doesn't ratchet, but operates by turning the bottom of the handle either by hand, with another 3/8 tool, or maybe even a cross bar via the hole. It may have had some good days turning spark plugs, who knows. Somewhere I have a different AC branded 3/8 drive ratchet which has two flex joints and a removable drive plug. Interesting tools.

 

[Lonnies Performance]

That style plug gap tool has been around for nearly 50 years (if not longer) as I played with one as a kid & still have it.

 

[woody 73]

3 bay that is a very nice tool, I would have loved to write a story on that one but I only work on tool stories provided I own the tool in question.

Still a very nice tool good job finding that one.

 

[woody 73]

That style plug gap tool has been around for nearly 50 years (if not longer) as I played with one as a kid & still have it.

That is what I am afraid of, had I been the one to buy it first hand then I could have given a solid date; since I picked it up at a garage sale all bets were off the table as to finding a date for it.

 

[4xdog]

Indeed, Woody -- AC was a man who made an impact. That's a nifty spark plug gauge. I've not run across that one before.

My 1962 Triumph TR3B uses its original AC fuel pump still, now with ethanol-resistant diaphragm. I figure it'll last another 50+ years, too.

 

[notlob]

Thanks Woody! Even though I worked in the auto parts industry for a number of years (ancient history), I was not aware "Champion" was the name of the company's founder, nor did I know where the "AC" of AC spark plugs and AC/Delco originated.

Gettin' smarter every day...

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks Woody! Even though I worked in the auto parts industry for a number of years (ancient history), I was not aware "Champion" was the name of the company's founder, nor did I know where the "AC" of AC spark plugs and AC/Delco originated.

Gettin' smarter every day...

Same here on the last name. Who would have ever thought it?

 

[v8garage]

Thanks Woody! Even though I worked in the auto parts industry for a number of years (ancient history), I was not aware "Champion" was the name of the company's founder, nor did I know where the "AC" of AC spark plugs and AC/Delco originated.

Gettin' smarter every day...

He also founded Champion Spark Plug Company in 1905. In 1908 he opened a new business called Champion Ignition Company, name changed to AC Spark Plug Company in 1922 due to trademark lawsuit.

 

[PartsGuy]

Delco refers to Dayton Engineering Laboratory COmpany, founded in part by Charles Kettering, an amazeballs engineer who also gave us the electric starter, leaded fuel, and the electric cash register. His biography, "Boss Kettering", was a great read (i'm a nerd with almost as many auto books as tools.....)

 

[J.A.F.E.]

That particular gapper has been around since about the 70's possibly earlier.

It is a later style of this one which is gauged to about 0.042 and this one is from the 60's for sure.



The one like you show is later and includes larger gaps which came in around the time of the smog era and gauges to about 0.095 so to date it an old general service Chiltons or Motor manual would show about when plug gaps opened up to the larger range. I don't have one handy but I'd start looking about 72 or 73.

 

[WagonHo!]

Really cool thread, thanks Woody and all the contributors.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Woody,

An AC spark plug with an unfortunate water stain may seem like an odd work of art for framing, so I hope you and the others will indulge me in a brief explanation for why I have something like that to share on your Albert Champion thread that is likely to border on sentimental.

My dad did that with an airbrush in 1939 during his first and only year at the Cleveland Institute of Art when he was as a young man training to be an illustrator. My grandparents couldn't afford it after that (he was 1 of 10) so he dropped out of school to join the Merchant Marines, shipping out on the Great Lakes, Mississippi, St Lawrence and open seas, including WWII. In 1943 he switched over to the Navy, piloting a Destroyer ****** in the Pacific. He never went back to art school. But he never gave up art. He even illustrated the masthead for his ship's self-published newspaper, filled with raunchy humor and scuttlebutt. (I have posted some of those before in a Free Parking thread on WWII, linked
here.) Between my brothers and I we have over 500 paintings (mainly watercolors), pastels, and pencil sketches. Mainly the great outdoors, but portraits, too, including the first three of my five children (he died over 20 years ago now, and my last two children sadly never having the pleasure of meeting him). And dancers. He loved to paint people dancing.

The AC spark plug is one in a series of studies I can only guess that he did as practice in art school for what would have been a life in the advertising trade. All of the subjects are commercial products. All the old ads were done with an airbrush in those days - which is just amazing to think about, creating something so vividly detailed and realistic with a triggered nozzle, a hose, and an air tank. Maybe it's just because he was my pop, but when I found them, after he died, haphazardly stored in some folders underneath his Keuffel & Esser drafting table, I had to frame them. Like many in his generation, he didn't talk about the war with us, and he didn't think of showing us his art school work from 1939, either. They may all be inanimate objects, but they dance for me.

See Pic 2 for a few more examples.

And again, please excuse the long personal anecdote.

 

[woody 73]

your Dad was a very good Artist, I could not have done that good in 100 lifetimes, he was someone to be proud of; thank you for sharing that story.

 

[four.cycle]

Looks like he mastered the medium. The measuring cup is outstanding, with the gleaming metal finish.
I only dabbled in airbrush in high school. Tricky medium to work with.
Great stuff, Private Lugnutz

 

[leg17]

Awesome stuff Lugz

 

[coljar]

Very nice Woody, thank you for sharing his history. From cyclist to spark plugs!

You crack me up as always too.

Here is my small contribution, an AC branded 3/8 drive “Reechet”. For those who don’t know, it doesn't ratchet, but operates by turning the bottom of the handle either by hand, with another 3/8 tool, or maybe even a cross bar via the hole. It may have had some good days turning spark plugs, who knows. Somewhere I have a different AC branded 3/8 drive ratchet which has two flex joints and a removable drive plug. Interesting tools.

I have one of those that is only marked Reechet that I use occasionally. It was my grandfather's.

 

[WWShop]

Thank you, Woody and Lugnutz for awesome history (never knew the Champion history) and some amazing artwork. Would really like to see more.

 

[Nutria]

Thread revival! The Champion Spark Plug Mine is visible (with binoculars) from my house. Andalusite was mined for the spark plug insulators. Lots of interesting stuff here:

White Mountains - Jeffrey Mine aka Champion Sparkplug Mine

White Mountains - Jeffrey Mine aka Champion Sparkplug Mine

www.mtnmouse.com

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Thread revival! The Champion Spark Plug Mine is visible (with binoculars) from my house. Andalusite was mined for the spark plug insulators. Lots of interesting stuff here:

White Mountains - Jeffrey Mine aka Champion Sparkplug Mine

White Mountains - Jeffrey Mine aka Champion Sparkplug Mine

www.mtnmouse.com

Very very cool Nutria. This will take a few days for me to catch up on and the above topics. Thanks men.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Woody,

An AC spark plug with an unfortunate water stain may seem like an odd work of art for framing, so I hope you and the others will indulge me in a brief explanation for why I have something like that to share on your Albert Champion thread that is likely to border on sentimental.

My dad did that with an airbrush in 1939 during his first and only year at the Cleveland Institute of Art when he was as a young man training to be an illustrator. My grandparents couldn't afford it after that (he was 1 of 10) so he dropped out of school to join the Merchant Marines, shipping out on the Great Lakes, Mississippi, St Lawrence and open seas, including WWII. In 1943 he switched over to the Navy, piloting a Destroyer ****** in the Pacific. He never went back to art school. But he never gave up art. He even illustrated the masthead for his ship's self-published newspaper, filled with raunchy humor and scuttlebutt. (I have posted some of those before in a Free Parking thread on WWII, linked
here.) Between my brothers and I we have over 500 paintings (mainly watercolors), pastels, and pencil sketches. Mainly the great outdoors, but portraits, too, including the first three of my five children (he died over 20 years ago now, and my last two children sadly never having the pleasure of meeting him). And dancers. He loved to paint people dancing.

The AC spark plug is one in a series of studies I can only guess that he did as practice in art school for what would have been a life in the advertising trade. All of the subjects are commercial products. All the old ads were done with an airbrush in those days - which is just amazing to think about, creating something so vividly detailed and realistic with a triggered nozzle, a hose, and an air tank. Maybe it's just because he was my pop, but when I found them, after he died, haphazardly stored in some folders underneath his Keuffel & Esser drafting table, I had to frame them. Like many in his generation, he didn't talk about the war with us, and he didn't think of showing us his art school work from 1939, either. They may all be inanimate objects, but they dance for me.

See Pic 2 for a few more examples.

And again, please excuse the long personal anecdote.

Wow Lugs. That is so valuable to your life and your kids. No one could put a value on having something like those. You are a lucky man to have a father with that talent. It is sad that he did not get to express his thoughts on his life. Thanks.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Albert was born in Paris on April the 5th, 1878 and he died on Oct. the 26th, 1927; he is buried at the Pe're Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. He was 49 years old when he died and legend has it the man who beat him up in a fist fight over a love affair died some six months later also from another beating, some would say poetic justice...

The History of this man is so rich on the web please be sure and look over a few of the links and read about his life and the AC Spark plugs Company that he started.

Now for a special note, (may I burn in hot motor oil) but...I am not sure if the following spark plug tool is vintage or not.
I wish I could tell you it is at least 50 years old but I have know clue as to its age? If anyone thinks this post story belongs in the general tool section just have a Mod put it there.

The links:

http://www.ntbp.com/sparkplug/enghistory.htm

https://www.thoughtco.com/inventors-of-the-spark-plug-4074529

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Champion_(cyclist)

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2006/01/Albert-Champion/1281809.html

http://www.mycitymag.com/a-spark-of-brilliance-the-flamboyant-albert-champion/

http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/albert-c-champion/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-GG-14-AC-Spark-Plug-Gap-Gauge-Spark-Plug-Key-Chain/113356080488?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=1&asc=20131231084308&meid=84788e21390e4ced892590232d1fc266&pid=100010&rk=1&rkt=2&sd=192698199848&itm=113356080488&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

Wow. Thanks again Woody. I will be here for a few days catching up on some fine history.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is so valuable to your life and your kids. No one could put a value on having something like those. You are a lucky man to have a father with that talent.

Thanks. Agreed.

It is sad that he did not get to express his thoughts on his life.

He never had any trouble expressing his thoughts on life! I'm assuming you meant expressing himself professionally, as an artist/illustrator, which is mainly true. (He was hired by a friend, neighbor, and the owner of a large construction company to design a sign for a ski area he built outside of town, in the Poconos, then called Little Gap, now Blue Mountain. And small things like that for people who knew of his talent from being in our house.) But he was a prolific amateur artist.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Woody,

An AC spark plug with an unfortunate water stain may seem like an odd work of art for framing, so I hope you and the others will indulge me in a brief explanation for why I have something like that to share on your Albert Champion thread that is likely to border on sentimental.

My dad did that with an airbrush in 1939 during his first and only year at the Cleveland Institute of Art when he was as a young man training to be an illustrator. My grandparents couldn't afford it after that (he was 1 of 10) so he dropped out of school to join the Merchant Marines, shipping out on the Great Lakes, Mississippi, St Lawrence and open seas, including WWII. In 1943 he switched over to the Navy, piloting a Destroyer ****** in the Pacific. He never went back to art school. But he never gave up art. He even illustrated the masthead for his ship's self-published newspaper, filled with raunchy humor and scuttlebutt. (I have posted some of those before in a Free Parking thread on WWII, linked
here.) Between my brothers and I we have over 500 paintings (mainly watercolors), pastels, and pencil sketches. Mainly the great outdoors, but portraits, too, including the first three of my five children (he died over 20 years ago now, and my last two children sadly never having the pleasure of meeting him). And dancers. He loved to paint people dancing.

The AC spark plug is one in a series of studies I can only guess that he did as practice in art school for what would have been a life in the advertising trade. All of the subjects are commercial products. All the old ads were done with an airbrush in those days - which is just amazing to think about, creating something so vividly detailed and realistic with a triggered nozzle, a hose, and an air tank. Maybe it's just because he was my pop, but when I found them, after he died, haphazardly stored in some folders underneath his Keuffel & Esser drafting table, I had to frame them. Like many in his generation, he didn't talk about the war with us, and he didn't think of showing us his art school work from 1939, either. They may all be inanimate objects, but they dance for me.

See Pic 2 for a few more examples.

And again, please excuse the long personal anecdote.

I still have a long way to go. But were these available for your dad back in 1939? I know Dons party garage has a few but I have not researched them yet. Did your dad use a air compressor back then? He has a gift. I know he is gone but I still rely on preset tense on a man with such a gift. He still has it.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

As a young boy, I believe the first part of any repair on a big or small engine that my dad taught me was the spark plug. I could not tell you how many times I have taken out and cleaned and checked and replaced. I would be rich if I got a dollar for every spark plug that I removed over the years. From around 1965 until yesterday. I have dug out a few objects, but I will be showing some of the old plugs and engines that relied on Champion over the years. Great thread.

 

[Stubby1743]

 

[Nutria]

The Plugometer! What'll they think of next?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Did your dad use a air compressor back then?

Nope. Just a tank. No need for a lot of pressure or capacity for this fine level of work. The illustrations are small. 8-1/2" x 11". I won't spam the thread, but here is another example.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

As a young boy, I believe the first part of any repair on a big or small engine that my dad taught me was the spark plug. I could not tell you how many times I have taken out and cleaned and checked and replaced. I would be rich if I got a dollar for every spark plug that I removed over the years. From around 1965 until yesterday. I have dug out a few objects, but I will be showing some of the old plugs and engines that relied on Champion over the years. Great thread.

I haven't even started on what I have from Champion.