MSD Acquires Accel Group Companies

[SSGT Mustang]

After my experience with Accel this summer when buying an almost $900 data logger, I can't imagine that any other company could do a worse job of product quality assurance or most importantly customer support.

Two times they sent me incomplete systems, and the customer "support" people gave me and the retailer a hassle about returning them. One "support" person basically told me that it's "normal" to get incomplete systems because they employ so many people and do so much business. He didn't seem to care one bit, and wouldn't even look into the situation and try to fix it.

All I can say is never again.

[ss wannabee]

Anybody know how long Accel's been around? I'm gonna say since late 1960's
and was created by the Echlin Co. How's my memory?

[Bob Don]

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.

[Jack Parris]

My memory may be fading with age but I seem to remember that MSD was a spin off of ACCEL many years ago. Looking at the Echlin history, Automotive Controls Corp was a principal subsidiary of Echlin. Automotive Controls Corp is the name on my MSD box.

Sounds like it has gone full circle.

Or maybe not, just looked at it again and it is Autotronics Controls Corp. so disregard this post.

[Greenlight]

I don't think MSD was ever associated with Accel or Echlin.

MSD, actually "Autotronic Controls Corporation", was originally an Aerospace contract company. They were working with General Dynamics to develop a lean burn internal combustion engine (in the range of 22:1 A/F ratio). One major problem was that the mixture was too lean to ignite. During the course of development the engineers there came up with a multiple spark capacitive discharge ignition system, which continued to spark for 20 or so degrees of crank rotation. This "multiple continuous spark" was enough to ignite the lean mixture.

They decided to market it to the high performance auto industry and the rest is history.

[Rusty Gillis]

I was the first one to get an Accel distributor for my Super Stock 428 CJ Mustang around 1970 - 1971.

[Bobby Fazio]

I get letters in the mail every few months about MSD bankruptcy but somehow they still advertise contingency that they don't pay and acquire companies. I think I need more business classes..

As far as Accel, they are nonexistent when it comes to DFI customer support, wonder if that will change at all.