Flint in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Albert Champion

The Name Behind the Spark Plug

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

1. Albert Champion Marker

Inscription. The Frenchman first came to the United States in 1904 as an international champion bicycle racer, and became involved with automobiles. In Boston in 1905, Albert Champion partnered with early Buick dealer Frank Stranahan in founding the Albert Champion Company to manufacture porcelain spark plugs. In 1908, Champion was persuaded by Billy Durant to move to Flint to start a new company to make spark plugs, the Champion Ignition Company, which was later renamed AC Spark Plug, using his initials. As automotive companies were gathered within General Motors, AC Spark Plug's production soared. After Champion died in 1927, General Motors continued making spark plugs in Flint until the last production in 2006.

You Auto Know
Both Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart used AC spark plugs in their aircraft when crossing the Atlantic.

Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 43° 0.995′ N, 83° 41.46′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. It is at the intersection of Saginaw Street and East Kearsley Street, on the right when traveling

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north on Saginaw Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 E Kearsley St, Flint MI 48502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Louis Chevrolet (a few steps from this marker); Automotive Pioneers (a few steps from this marker); William C. Durant (a few steps from this marker); David Dunbar Buick (a few steps from this marker); William "Billy" Durant (a few steps from this marker); David Buick (a few steps from this marker); Charles Stewart Mott (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Charles Stewart Mott (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

2. Albert Champion Marker

Albert Champion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

3. Albert Champion

Inset photo (Top center) Albert Champion, about 1925.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 616 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 23, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.