I met Matt Graves several years ago at the Car Craft Summer Nationals while standing by the grill and pouring drinks. To say we were fast friends would be like saying french fries like salt. Matt’s job at that point was working for Cherry Bomb, the brand that he brought back to life after decades of stagnant existence. After 17 years at Maremont/Cherry Bomb, Matt has made the leap over to American Powertrain, and we can’t be happier for him. Since joining American Powertrain in July, Matt and the gang have made some cool changes and more are on their way! (For more information on Matt Graves, check out the announcement at the bottom of this blog item.) If you want to talk to Matt on the BangShift forums, he’s now Mad Matt.
Not only do they have a new logo, a new website in the works, and plans for a busy show and race schedule in 2012, but American Powertrain is also hammering out new products like mad men. Watch for more announcements soon as we try out some of AP’s killer parts on our own projects.
The latest from American Powertrain is a killer new aluminum crossmember for custom applications. They work for virtually any transmission, and are super easy to use. Check the out below.
X-Factor Universal Stretch Transmission Cross Member for Street Rods and Customs
The
X-Factor Stretch cross member from American Powertrain takes the guess
work out of street rod and custom cross member fitment for almost any
transmission.
The Stretch cross member spans 26-32″ inside the frame rails and can
be bolted or welded in place, providing a wide range of fitment
possibilities with excellent clearance for large diameter exhaust tubes.
Made in the USA using a patent pending process, X-Factor Stretch
cross members are made from hot pressed T-6061 aluminum, making them
incredibly light and exceedingly strong; perfect for street or track
applications. The unique end supports are constructed of low carbon
steel.
All stock parts are powder coated in metallic aluminum and come with
the aluminum center section, steel end supports and grade-8 hardware .
Applications include classic 4-speeds, modern 5 and 6-speeds, plus all
vintage and late model automatics.
All X-Factor cross members come with a lifetime warranty against
breakage, and American Powertrain’s exclusive Customer First 24-Hour
tech support.
American Powertrain, a TREMEC Elite Distributor located in
Cookeville, TN, manufacturers and sells ProFit modern overdrive
transmission systems, Science Friction clutches and flywheels, Hydramax
hydraulic clutch systems, X-Factor Cross Members and thousands of
powertrain accessories for muscle, sports, street rod and race cars.
Visit them on the web at www.americanpowertrain and www.xfactorcrossmembers.com or call 931.646.4836.
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American Powertrain announces the hire of Matt Graves
American
Powertrain, a tier one Elite distributor of TREMEC transmissions and
well-known manufacturer of the innovative ProFit transmission
installation systems has announced the hire of Matt Graves in the
position of Marketing and Commercial Sales Manager.
Matt Graves began his automotive career with Maremont, makers of
Cherry Bomb, in 1994 working in the manufacturing plant. In 1996 he
became an engineering design tech and was moved up to become a major
factor in company product development. He was in fact responsible for
designing the premier Cherry Bomb Vortex muffler, their highest
performance muffler in the line up. When previous company owners were
ready to allow Cherry Bomb’s patent & copyright to lapse, Matt was
directly responsible for convincing them to renew what Matt understood
as one of the industry’s most cherished iconic brands. In 2005 Ken &
Paul Banks owners of IMCO exhaust made the purchase of Cherry Bomb,
mainly to revitalize the brand, and put Matt in charge of the re-launch,
including all aspects of consumer events, trade shows and product brand
development and marketing. Matt has made the transition from exhaust to
transmissions and is now the marketing and commercial sales manager for
American Powertrain. Matt brings 17 years of experience to help
American Powertrain go to the next level.
“Working for American Powertrain is a great opportunity, their
business has been very successful. I am excited to see were we can take
it going forward.” Graves says of his new role. Gray G. Fredrick,
Co-Owner and CEO at American Powertrain, says “We feel lucky to have
added Matt to our team. His marketing, networking and commercial sales
skills are well known throughout the industry. Matt will surely play a
vital role in taking this company to the next level.”
American Powertrain is the premier one stop shop for modern 5 and 6
speed swaps for customs and muscle cars. American Powertrain’s full
product offering includes patent pending HYDRAMAX hydraulic systems,
with model specific fitment for almost any car and transmission
combination, and their Science Friction line of top shelf performance
clutches and flywheels including the 845ft-lb rated Street Slayer single
disc clutch and the progressive engagement Atomic Twin for GM, Ford and
Mopar. Stock flywheels in billet steel or billet aluminum are on the
shelf, while custom and one-off flywheels are made to order for the
wildest V8 projects. In addition, American Powertrain offers world-class
driveshafts in DOM Steel, Aluminum, Chromoly and even Carbon Fiber with
cryo hardened u-joints and yokes. They are also the fourth largest
distributor of QuickTime Scattershields and adaptive bell housings.
The company is not all about powertrain accessories either. They
offer performance upgraded transmissions for street and strip duty
including the 950ft-lb rated TKO based 600Extreme 5-speed and the
1100ft-lb rated Magnum based 6Xtreme 6-speed, both fully synchronized or
face plated for unlimited rpm shifting. Improved editions of the T5,
T45, T56 and 3650 are also available. American Powertrain is located in
Cookeville, TN. Visit them on the web atwww.AmericanPowertrain.com or call 931.646.4836.
I had the awesome opportunity to work with Mad Matt as he relaunched the Cherry Bomb brand. Can’t wait to see what his experience will bring to the American Powertrain brand! I chose their ProFit 430 5 speed when building my ground up resto ’57 Chevy wagon, and let me tell you, it makes her an extreme pleasure to drive!