Motorcycles: Confederate Motor Company

Confederate Motor Company is an American motorcycle manufacturer based in Birmingham, Alabama and is owned by Birmingham Speed of America.

The company makes two models, the F131 Hellcat and the B120 Wraith, with plans for a third.

History
Confederate Motor Company, Inc. was founded in 1991 by trial lawyer Matthew Chambers with an idea to create unique motorcycles. In 1992 the company opened a shop in San Francisco and in 1993 moved to a prototype shop in New Orleans. Its first motorcycle was produced on November 11, 1994.

In August 2005 Hurricane Katrina caused severe damage to the factory, interrupting production. Confederate Motors moved its corporate headquarters and assembly operations to a warehouse in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, resuming production in early 2006. The company was reorganized under a holding company named Birmingham Speed of America but Confederate remains the consumer brand. On May 3, 2006, Tom Cruise rode into New York City on one of Confederate's first Birmingham-made motorcycles for the premiere of Mission Impossible III.

In May 2006, the company announced a $5 million expansion of its factory to begin production of a third model, intended to be more affordable. The plant will expand from just 12 people to as many as 75 employees.

Motorcycle models
F131 Hellcat Retail: $67,500
B120 Wraith Retail: $55,000

Notable customers
Buyers of Confederate Motorcycles include Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Bruce Springsteen, and at least one crown prince. [citation needed]

Birmingham Speed of America
Birmingham Speed of America is a motor vehicle manufacturing company.

History
The company was founded in 1991 using the name Confederate Motor Company by trial lawyer Matthew Chambers with an idea to create unique motorcycles. In 1992 the company opened a shop in San Francisco and moved in 1993 to New Orleans.

The company was renamed in August 2005 to Birmingham Speed of America during the move of Confederate Motor Company to downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The company was forced to move as a result of damage to the factory, interrupting production. Confederate Motor Company became the manufacturing division with Confederate becoming the brand.

Original Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_Motorcycles