Most writing experts tell you rewriting and editing is a huge part of writing. I’m finding that out. Along the way, pain. Several stories I like are ending up on the cutting room floor. Here is one.
In Boston to create a new Buick regional sales office, Billy heard a man with a thick French accent show up unannounced, wanting to see him. “My name is Albert Champion (which he pronounced shom-pee-yon).”
“Aren’t you the French racing driver? I’ve heard about you.” Buick had a factory racing team and Billy followed their events closely. ‘Wild’ Bob Burman was the lead driver, but they also had a few foreign drivers, French or Swiss, Billy wasn’t sure.
“Yes, yes, but I race no longer. Now I make business. And I want to talk to you about that business.”
Never one to refuse that siren call, Billy listened. Champion produced a gadget. Billy looked at it and shook his head. “Thank you, but we have no need of those.” However, the salesman in him didn’t want to discourage such lovely boldness. “What else do you make?”
“We sell magnetos and spark plugs.”
“We don’t use magnetos, but the spark plugs interest me. When can you bring me a sample?” Buick paid 35 cents per spark plug, so Billy was all ears for a more affordable alternative.
“Give me half an hour.” Twenty minutes later the athletic Shom-pe-yon was back, proudly carrying a little demonstration set which showed how the plug fired.
“Hmm… interesting, “Billy said. “This could work. Do you have a factory?”
“No, just a shop. Why?”
“I’d like to see it. Our Buick engines have an overhead valve design and run at a higher compression than most others. A good spark plug is essential to get the most power out of those engines.”
“Why not come now?”
Words like those made music to Billy’s ears. On the way, Billy asked him if he could make his spark plugs for 20 cents a piece. With the typical French shrug and turned-down mouth corners, Champion replied, “Of course.” Champion had no idea he was singing from Billy’s songbook.
They toured the modest shop, part of a warehouse third floor. As they walked around, Billy asked him about his history.
“I came to America to race bicycles. I won all the championships I wanted, so I went back to France. There I saw automobiles and became a race car driver.”
“A good one, too,” Billy replied. “That’s where I heard about you.”
“Thank you. Then someone decided to sponsor me and we started the Albert Champion Company.”
“Why don’t I buy the company and move you to Flint? You can develop the perfect plug, then we’ll build a plant and buy all you can make.”
Champion’s head spun. “You are serious?”
“Very. How many partners do you have?”
“Only one, Mr. Stranaham.”
“Okay, tell him I’ll buy him out. Then you can come back with me. I leave in three days.”
The following day, Champion showed up at the new Buick sales office, dejected. “Mr. Stranaham says we we can buy all the tools and patents, but he owns the name. He trademarked it and won’t sell it.”
“Oh, I’m not interested in the name, I’m only interested in the spark plugs.”
Champion’s face became animated and he waved his arms. “I am very interested in the name. It is my name!”
Animation, however, wasn’t on Billy’s music sheet. “What difference does a name make until you’ve established it with good products? Let’s just go with your initials: A.C.”
Champion was torn: name or fortune?
Fortune prevailed. The A.C. Spark Plug Company was incorporated in Flint, Champion received his stock, and Buick saved big money on spark plugs much better than anything they had before.
I know that I’m a difficult person to talk with. I guess that’s all because of the anxiety I suffer. Anyway, on https://healthforeverplus.com/xanax-alprazolam-1mg/, I was very pleased with the serenity, and concentration, and desire to help of their support specialists. They answered all my questions, some even twice, and offered me the Xanax. Thanks a lot.
Champion joined Ransom E. Olds as the only people in automobile history with two companies named after them: one with his name and the other with his initials. His old partner continued to make spark plugs, and that is how the two biggest spark plug companies, Champion and AC, are actually named for the same person.
Who knew? 🙂