Holley Performance Products
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Holley Performance Products is an automotive performance company based out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Holley, when based in Michigan, was one of the major producers of carburetors, being supplied as standard equipment on many Detroit-built automobiles.
Latterly they manufactured carburetors for V8 street and racing applications such as the Holley "double pumper". Holley-style carburetors have powered every NASCAR Sprint Cup team and every NHRA Pro–Stock champion for four decades, these series clinging to the carburetor long after the manufacturers had switched to fuel-injection. Holley's product range has expanded to include fuel injection, performance fuel pumps, intake manifolds, cylinder heads & engine dress–up products for street performance, race and marine applications. Among the company's owned divisions are brand names such as Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS), FlowTech, and Hooker Headers.
History
Holley began in Bradford, Pennsylvania in 1896 when brothers George (1878-1963) and Earl Holley started a company to produce a small one-cylinder three-wheeled vehicle they dubbed the "Runabout", with a top speed of 30 mph. At the eve of the era of motorcars, the brothers decided to start the Holley Motor Company, and produced one model: "The Holley bothers built their first marketable automobile in 1902. They called it the Holley Motorette and it sold for $550. More than 600 were produced." [1]
As a result of the Motorette Henry Ford commissioned the brothers to produce a carburetor for his Model T. "The carburetor they built for Ford was an immediate success and the brothers founded Holley Carburetor Co., which became one of Ford's biggest suppliers." [2] Additionally, the carburetor, nicknamed the "Iron Pot", was also used on Ford rival Oldsmobile's vehicles. By 1907, the company had moved to Detroit, Michigan and became The Holley Brothers Company. The brothers then concentrated on the manufacturing of carburetors and ignition systems. [1]
In 1913 George Holley made a tour of Germany to study manufacturing methods, accompanied by Henry M. Leland, when it was said that a Holley carburetor: "was on more than one-half of the automobiles sent out from American factories this year." [3]
In 1952 Holley closed a plant at Portland, Michigan, and moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky. [4]
In 1968 the Plain Dealer reported: "Colt Industries Inc. has acquired Holley Carburetor Co., of Warren, Michigan, following approval by directors of both companies. Holley Carburetor which makes auto ignition systems and aviation fuel controls, employs about 3,000 at four facilities in three states." [5] At this time the corporate, engineering and sales headquarters were in Warren, with plants in Bowling Green, Kentucky; Paris, Tennessee and Clare, Michigan. [6] Holley was said to have a turnover of $40 million in 1967. At the time of the sale the company was primarily owned by members of the Holley family. [7]
Bankruptcy
As of February 12, 2008, Holley has filed for Bankruptcy. [8] The 2008 Bankruptcy led Holley to transfer its equity to holders of $95 million in second-lien debt.
As of September 28, 2009, Holley has filed for Bankruptcy Chapter 11 protection.[9]
See also
References
- ^ New York Times, June 28, 1963, Page 24.
- ^ Plain Dealer, December 7, 1958, Page 25.
- ^ Oregonian, July 13, 1913, Section 4, Page 4.
- ^ Plain Dealer, March 12, 1953, Page 13.
- ^ Plain Dealer, February 11, 1968, Page 50.
- ^ Colt Industries Annual Report, 1967, Page 3.
- ^ Wall Street Journal, February 7, 1968, Page 21.
- ^ bloomberg.com: "Holley, Specialty Car-Parts Maker, Files Bankruptcy"
- ^ "UPDATE 1-Auto-parts maker Holley files for bankruptcy"
External links
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South Warren High School has a Bowling Green address but is south of the city limits. | ||
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