This is a history of Echlin/Accel. It says Accel was started in the 70s but doesn't give a specific date.
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/compa...n-inc-history/
In the mid 70s, I was manager of a small speed shop in greater Boston area (Speed Shack). One of our distributors (Brian Peavey of PV Speed) sponsored an outing for us and a number of other retailers. We toured Moroso and Echlin/Accel and Echlin even sprung for a nice luncheon.