Quote:
Originally posted by Lynn Eades
Can some one fill us in a bit on the Kelsey-Hayes company. Was it a subsidiary of Ford or G.M.?
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Neither, it was an independant specialist manufacturer, much like Budd. Kelsey-Hayes had an "alignment" with Ford (dating from the time the original Kelsey Wheel Co supplied the wheels for the Model T), but was free to supply to other vehicle and implement builders. Holley (Carburettors) and Warner (Gearboxes) were two similarly independant companies in the Ford camp. The Hayes and Hayes was a Brake and Clutch subsidiary spun-off in the late 40's. Ford CMP (indeed all Ford Truck and Bus) clutch pressure plates were also a Kelsey-Hayes item.
A quick Google search produced this:
"The Kelsey Wheel Company was formed in 1909 in Detroit, MI. Initially, the company specialized in wooden wheels for early automobiles but its product line expanded to include wire wheels and braking systems. In 1927, Kelsey Wheel merged with Hayes Wheel Co. to form Kelsey-Hayes Co. Since the 1950s, with manufacturing plants in the US and Canada, Kelsey-Hayes has been developing a wide range of automobile parts such as the anti-lock braking system, disc brakes and steel wheels. Kelsey-Hayes changed its name to VarityKelsey-Hayes in 1989 after being acquired by Varity Corp., and Varity was in turn acquired by TRW in 1999"