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Some History on Champion:
France dominated the spark plug market in the early 1900s, supplying gasoline engine manufacturers with only a limited line of plug configurations. They were also known to be quite costly and had substandard quality.Albert Champion was born in France in 1878. In 1889, a renowned bicycle and motorcycle racer, Champion came to America to compete in a series of races. He had brought several bicycles and motorcycles, but found parts very hard to find in the United States. As a result, Champion made his own. To help pay bills and cover expenses, Champion began making spark plugs and sold them to friends. Champion's love of motors slowly turned towards automobiles and he later returned to France to open a shop that manufactured spark plugs and magnetos. In 1900, Champion returned to America after being hired by Charles Metz to race bicycles and motorcycles for the Waltham Manufacturing Company. In 1904, Champion moved to Flint, Michigan where he founded Champion Ignition Company for the manufacturing of spark plugs. With the help of investors, Champion was able to turn his racing hobby into a successful business. Unfortunately, problems with the investors soon lead to a break up. Champion soon found himself without a company. The investors continued to manufacture the spark plugs under the Champion name, but Champion himself was out of a job. In 1908 with the backing of the Buick Motor Co., Champion began a new company called the AC Spark Plug Company. Albert Champion was appointed president. In 1916 Alfred P. Sloan formed United Motors Corp. and eventually acquired Buick and AC Spark Plug. On October 27, 1927, Champion died of a heart attack. General Motors purchased the remaining stock held by Champion's estate and took over the AC company.


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Got it I was thinking Tba stood for something else I'm just all confused today sorry for that


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Dennis Leith / Always looking for unusual Gilmore Oil Company items and Automobilia Displays
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Some great Champion items there Dennis! I wish I had something to contribute...


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Champion shipping box, 3 1/2' long x 14" high x 12" side.

003.JPG
large wooden shipping box for #3 plugs.

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Couple items I have

champ.JPG Swapmeet_365.JPG
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see me at Mason Dixon Gas, Spring Carlisle M114-115, and Hershey C4E-35.
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Game and blotter

DSCN9753.JPG DSCN9755.JPG DSCN9757.JPG
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Dennis Leith / Always looking for unusual Gilmore Oil Company items and Automobilia Displays
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One plug is a J-8 & the other is J-9. When I first saw it I couldn't help wonder how it worked...lmao...then I realized its probably a display piece. Both are Champion plugs...not welded or glued.

champ1.jpg champ2.jpg champ3.jpg champ4.jpg
Last edited by rustynuts; Sun Jan 20 2013 07:51 PM.
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Here are some photos of Champion items in my collection and a few from a good friends..

The first are two counter display boxes.. These are not shipping boxes, they were most likely used in a large window display..

The large marquee sign is made from masonite.. It had a large blank spot for a clock when we got it but no clock.. Not sure what was there originally but the Chevy time fits great..

Ill post a few more as soon as i can get some photos of other items..

Enjoy, Keith

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Here are a few more... Enjoy

og15.jpg og16.jpg
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Some excellent items everyone!!!!


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I thought this sign was pretty common and would have been posted by now.

Champion.JPG

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Great Champion stuff, guys! Thanks for sharing with us.

Here is a ceramic Champion spark plug table lamp that sits on my computer desk. I understand it once had an advertising lamp shade on it when new. That was gone when I got it years ago. One of my favorite things in my collection.

champion-lamp.jpg
Champion figural spark plug table lamp


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My 2 Champion signs.

Champ1.jpg Champ2.jpg
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Here is my only Champion piece.

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Early Oil and Auto Cans, Kenyon Tire Signs or Displays, Stutz Motor Car Company Items.

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i like it even though it's not perfect

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champion cabinet behind the rest of the junk......

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Only Champion piece that i have is a NOS box of aviation plugs.

Champion aircraft.jpg

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Great items 57tbird thanks for your efforts. Kind of funny working in a parts store at 15 in the afternoons. Many would not let you cross reference from Champion to AC. It was one or the other or nothing. I find humor in it now,learning that Albert started both companies.


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Here are a few more Champion items... The fist is an early tin litho from the 20's.. The counted display was posted earlier but this one has the rare topper, its a metal frame with a thin cardboard insert.. The insert has advertising on both sides.. The last item is a large, almost 30"x40", thermometer.

Enjoy' Keith

ch1.jpg ch2.jpg ch3.jpg ch4.jpg
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Nice stuff Keith Thanks for sharing...I appreciate everyones contributions


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This is what I have. Don

A champion  therm f.jpg
Last edited by Oldgas; Thu Jan 31 2013 10:48 AM. Reason: edit to conform with guidelines
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