American Autowire Ignition

American Autowire: Decades of Automotive Electrical Excellence

Few names in the automotive electrical world carry as much weight as American Autowire. Founded in 1987 by co-owners Michael Manning and Frank Colonna, the company began as a two-man operation in a New Jersey basement — born out of a simple need: a wiring harness to convert a first-gen Camaro to console gauges. What started as a passion project sold at car swap meets grew into one of the most respected wiring harness manufacturers in the country, now operating out of a 38,000-square-foot facility in Bellmawr, NJ with over 100 employees.

From the very beginning, American Autowire set out to solve a problem that every restorer and hot rodder knows well: factory wiring that's decades old, brittle, and undersized for modern accessories. Today, the company offers five distinct product lines — including the Factory Fit OEM reproduction series, the Classic Update modified restoration series, and their Power Plus, Builder, and Highway universal street rod systems — covering everything from factory-correct GM restorations to fully custom builds.

Product Lines Built for Every Build Style

Whether you're chasing show-winning originality or building a fire-breathing restomod, American Autowire has a solution engineered for your specific project. Their body wiring harnesses form the backbone of most builds, offering vehicle-specific kits for a wide range of classic GM, Ford, Mopar, and other popular platforms. For builders tackling powertrain swaps or upgrading their ignition system, the brand's engine wiring harnesses provide the clean, reliable electrical foundation that modern engines demand.

Completing the full electrical picture, American Autowire's chassis wiring harnesses tie together the underbody circuits — from fuel pump wiring to brake lighting — in a way that's both factory-clean and upgrade-ready. And because a clean install requires the right tools, American Autowire also offers a professional-grade crimping tool designed to work seamlessly with their terminals and connectors. For builders adding auxiliary lighting to their project, the brand rounds out its lineup with a dedicated light wiring kit that takes the guesswork out of running relays and circuits for headlights, fog lights, and more.

Quality You Can Count On

Every American Autowire product is hand-built in the United States and must pass a thorough inspection before it leaves the facility. The company prizes innovation and end-user feedback, continually refining its catalog based on what builders actually need in the shop. With dedicated technical support, clear installation documentation, and a team of genuine car enthusiasts behind the brand, American Autowire has earned the trust of restorers, hot rodders, and professional builders alike.