MICHIGAN’S BEST-KEPT SECRET

The huge company behind many of the motor industry’s most exciting concept cars is opening its doors for the first time – at its new M1 Concourse facility

THERE IS A COMPANY IN MICHIGAN that – while you might not have heard of it – over the past 40-plus years has been a part of some of the most important developments in the automotive world.

This firm builds some of the wildest and most advanced concepts and prototypes in the car business and aviation market, in addition to projects within the themed-attraction and entertainment industries. Within its walls are a world-class paint and finishing center, interior trim shop, engine-build rooms, composite shop, CNC-machining center, design and engineering department, lighting department and more. None of these facilities has been widely available to anyone outside the automotive industry – until now.

The company is Prefix Corporation, and this year it opens its Performance Center at M1 Concourse, which will be available to private garage owners, M1 Motorsports Club members and event goers. As we write this, construction has begun, with completion expected by mid2023. The project has been overseen by Prefix vice president Jhan Dolphin, who is as excited as we are over the plans for the Center.

“We can’t wait! When I first approached M1 with the idea of having a performance facility on site, it was really important that they understood that Prefix isn’t your typical automotive shop,” says Jhan. “The projects that we are so fortunate to be part of mean that we have the facilities, equipment and expertise required to build new vehicle designs from the ground up.

“We felt that it would be amazing to allow the private garage owners and visitors at M1 Concourse to have access to a company and resources like ours, that they normally wouldn’t even know about. Prefix isn’t open to the public; in fact, the confidential nature of the multi-million-dollar full-scale concepts that we create, and other projects, means that most people don’t even know we exist.”

Jhan isn’t overstating Prefix’s importance; with more than 300 employees and two large Michigan-based facilities, it has a range of departments and specialized capabilities that provide industry clients with a one-stop shop of services and expertise.

Within that, the Performance division of Prefix builds race motors, works with OEMs on engine and drivetrain development, and specializes in high-end restorations, including luxury interiors and show-car paint finishes.

“The Performance Center at M1 was created to give garage owners easy on-site access to some of the basic services they need: brake jobs, changing wheels and tires, oil changes, etc,” says Jhan. “We’ll have three work bays with a couple of lifts, and a nice selection of required equipment. The idea is to be able to do basic maintenance and provide services for the garage owners there, as well as the groups that rent the facility and others who visit.

“But in addition to those trackside services, they will have access to specialists at our corporate headquarters in Rochester Hills. Imagine someone who owns a vintage sports car or exotic, and has a ripped seat. Our interior-trim department can handle that. Or someone who has damage to their paint or just wants a completely new color. Our world-class paint team is perfect for that.”

The Prefix paint facility in Auburn Hills is recognized throughout the industry as a location that handles challenging projects that others wouldn’t touch, including the

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT production paint for the Dodge Viper, Ford GT, two-tone Maybachs for Mercedes, and the upcoming $300,000-plus Celestiq for Cadillac.

From concepts, prototypes and development models to high-end craftsmanship, Prefix is a respected leader in the automotive industry. None of its facilities has been widely available to anyone outside that ‘closed shop’ – until now.

These paint and finishing experts will be available for advice and/or consulting on paint repair, full custom finishes, stripes and graphics, plus professional detailing. M1 client vehicles can be transported to Prefix’s corporate facilities, where the work will be performed.

The way Prefix will work at M1 Concourse is that the Performance Center will handle the basics Jhan outlines. It’ll also be able to carry out tech inspections to ensure cars heading out onto the track will be safe to do so. And –this is the most exciting part – the Center’s team will be equipped to make performanceupgrade recommendations and install, say, uprated brakes, superchargers, air-intake and exhaust systems, and suspension components.

In addition, a fuel partner has been added for on-site fueling, and a Prefix Pro-Shop within the Center will offer a selection of safety kit, performance products and automotive-related merchandise. This will be another exciting attraction, with videos, products and information that gives visitors a glimpse behind the scenes at Prefix and its position within the industry.

If more involved work is needed, Prefix will operate a concierge service for M1 clients that covers restorations, restomods, paint striping and detailing, custom interior trim and bespoke fabrication, all carried out at the company’s Rochester Hills headquarters.

BELOW Customers who are looking for something unique can take advantage of Prefix’s world-class trim department.

With each job, experts will fully evaluate the project and determine the steps required to, as Prefix puts it, “provide the car owner with a finished vehicle beyond their expectations”.

Many of the most attention-getting concepts will have been upholstered by the Prefix trim department, which will also be available to consult one-on-one with garage owners who are looking for something unique. And the Prefix engineers will be accessible for fabrication jobs, too.

Final word from Jhan: “A few have asked me what’s in it for Prefix, why would Prefix do this? Over the past couple of years, we’ve been impressed with what the M1 Concourse management has been able to accomplish, in creating a place that exudes all things automotive. They’ve created an automotive hub right in historic Pontiac that brings people from around the globe to enjoy the wonderful world of cars. It is exactly the kind of place that we are proud to associate our brand with.” Thanks to Prefix at www.prefix.com.