Curtiss Motorcycle Co.: Difference between revisions
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On the weekend that Katrina hit New Orleans, Chambers was in Bahrain accepting a $1 million cash investment from that nation's crown prince. The storm destroyed Confederate's office and factory. Subsequently the company was recruited to Birmingham on the strength of the state's emerging automotive industry and the availability of the [[Barber Motorsports Park]]'s race course and motorcycle collection. [[George Barber]] was active in discussions with Chambers. At the time the relocation was announced, Confederate expected to invest $10 million into a new plant which would employ as many as 100. | On the weekend that Katrina hit New Orleans, Chambers was in Bahrain accepting a $1 million cash investment from that nation's crown prince. The storm destroyed Confederate's office and factory. Subsequently the company was recruited to Birmingham on the strength of the state's emerging automotive industry and the availability of the [[Barber Motorsports Park]]'s race course and motorcycle collection. [[George Barber]] was active in discussions with Chambers. At the time the relocation was announced, Confederate expected to invest $10 million into a new plant which would employ as many as 100. | ||
In early [[2009]] the company acquired the publicly-traded French Peak Resources Inc. in a reverse-merger. That company, which was formed to exploit copper resources in British Columbia, will now focus solely on the development of Confederate's motorcycle business. | In early [[2009]] the company acquired the publicly-traded French Peak Resources Inc. in a reverse-merger. That company, which was formed to exploit copper resources in British Columbia, will now focus solely on the development of Confederate's motorcycle business. Among the possibilities being discussed is the introduction of an "entry level" model. | ||
==Products== | ==Products== | ||
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* Goodman, Sherri C. (April 1, 2007) "Katrina winds blow in a Hellcat." ''Birmingham News'' | * Goodman, Sherri C. (April 1, 2007) "Katrina winds blow in a Hellcat." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Goodman, Sherri C. (August 12, 2007) "Uneasy rider keeps rolling." ''Birmingham News'' | * Goodman, Sherri C. (August 12, 2007) "Uneasy rider keeps rolling." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Hubbard, Russell (February | * Hubbard, Russell (February 20, 2009) "Birmingham, Alabama-based Confederate Motorcycles may offer cheaper model." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 12:46, 20 February 2009
Confederate Motors, Inc. is a boutique motorcycle design and manufacturing company that relocated from New Orleans to 2222 5th Avenue South in Birmingham following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The company was founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 2, 1991 by former trial lawyer Matt Chambers. The company's design department is headed by Ed Jacobs. Other designers include Brian Case, Henry Rhodes, J. T. Nesbitt and Myles Peters.
The company struggled early on, filing for bankruptcy in 2002
On the weekend that Katrina hit New Orleans, Chambers was in Bahrain accepting a $1 million cash investment from that nation's crown prince. The storm destroyed Confederate's office and factory. Subsequently the company was recruited to Birmingham on the strength of the state's emerging automotive industry and the availability of the Barber Motorsports Park's race course and motorcycle collection. George Barber was active in discussions with Chambers. At the time the relocation was announced, Confederate expected to invest $10 million into a new plant which would employ as many as 100.
In early 2009 the company acquired the publicly-traded French Peak Resources Inc. in a reverse-merger. That company, which was formed to exploit copper resources in British Columbia, will now focus solely on the development of Confederate's motorcycle business. Among the possibilities being discussed is the introduction of an "entry level" model.
Products
- F131 Hellcat (140-150 horsepower v-twin)
- G1 model: 500 produced through 2001
- G2 model: 150 produced between 2003 and 2007 at the rate of one per week.
- G2 "Combat" model: limited edition of 150
- B120 Wraith (125 horsepower radial twin), 250 produced at the rate of two per week beginning in 2007.
- C120 Renaissance Fighter (129 c.i. radial twin), limited edition of 45 sold through Neiman-Marcus 2008 Christmas Book
- "Renovatio" (135 horspower v-twin), in development for production in 2010
References
- "Mean Machines" (July 13, 2006) Black & White "Urban Living 2006" special advertising section
- Goodman, Sherri C. (April 1, 2007) "Katrina winds blow in a Hellcat." Birmingham News
- Goodman, Sherri C. (August 12, 2007) "Uneasy rider keeps rolling." Birmingham News
- Hubbard, Russell (February 20, 2009) "Birmingham, Alabama-based Confederate Motorcycles may offer cheaper model." Birmingham News
External links
- Confederate Motorcycles website