Fifty years ago, A-1 Automatic Transmissions was founded, and the highly respected manufacturer of racing transmissions and torque converters is looking forward to the future by moving into a new 15,000-square-foot facility. Marv “2-Speed” Ripes, the company founder, best known for popularizing the use of the Powerglide transmission in drag racing, is still active in the technical side of the company while day-to-day operations are being captained by veteran racer Alan Bowdish and his son, Adam.

The move to larger quarters was accelerated when a fire damaged the firm’s transmission shop in 2009, luckily sparing converter operations, which were in an adjacent building. Now everything is under one roof at 2826 Kauffman Ave. in Vancouver, Wash. A-1’s phone number remains the same: 360-574-9966.

In announcing the move, Alan Bowdish commented, “Despite the hardships we endured because of the fire, we were able to maintain our momentum. We’re pleased that Jimmy DeFrank won the NHRA Lucas points championship in Super Stock with our converter and Mike Ferderer came within one round of taking top honors in Super Gas with one of our transmission and converter packages. We’re entering 2010 with great anticipation and a fully equipped shop — complete with a transmission dyno — ready to provide for our customers.”

For more information, log on to www.A-1perf.com or call 360-574-9966.