JASPER, IN -- In celebration of its 65-year anniversary, Jasper Engines and Transmissions is holding open house events at its 36 (and soon to be 38) branch locations across the country.

In 1942, Alvin C. Ruxer founded Jasper Engines & Transmissions in his Ruxer Ford agency out of necessity due to the lack of parts for automobiles during the WW II-era production reductions and rations. Production of Jasper remanufactured engines began in only a 12’ by 20’ shop space.

Today, with various production facilities across the nation, the Jasper, IN-based company remanufactures gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, differentials, performance and alternate fuel engines and even marine products like engines, stern drives, outboard lower units and powerheads. In 2006, the company began building the transmissions and differentials for Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, as well as for the NASCAR Busch Series entry of Rusty Wallace, which is now being driven by his son Steve. Engines for each of these cars are built by Penske Jasper Engines.

As part of its 65th Anniversary celebrations, Jasper has designed a mobile marketing trailer, christened the “Jasper Rolling Showcase.” The “Showcase” consists of a 28’ stacker trailer pulled by an 18’ tandem axle box truck. The trailer houses the Jasper Powered NASCAR NEXTEL Cup show car and a Jasper Powered V-8 theme painted trike along with NASCAR racing simulator games. The truck is fully stocked with product displays, a portable generator and a 5-ton capacity heat pump to provide inviting temperatures to those who gather under the 540-square-foot tent that attaches to the trailer during set-up. Rob Dodd, the operator of the Jasper Rolling Showcase, will even see that visitors receive a souvenir Kodak digital print of themselves in front of the trike or car.

Remaining cities and dates for the customer open house events are:

Detroit, MI May 16,

Boston, MA May 24

Denver, CO June 4

Phoenix, AZ June 7

Ontario, CA June 11

Seattle, WA June 14

Bellingham, WA June 15

St. Paul, MN June 25

Chattanooga, TN July 9

Memphis, TN July 12

Buffalo, NY July 24

Fairfield, NY July 30

Philadelphia, PA August 1

Cincinnati, OH August 8

Hammond, LA August 16

Dallas, TX August 29

Houston, TX August 27

Knoxville, TN September 10

Nashville, TN September 12

Jasper Open House, IN September 15

Grand Rapids, MI September 20

Pittsburgh, PA September 24

Baltimore, MD September 27

Richmond, VA October 2

Columbia, SC October 4

Greensboro, NC October 8

South Charleston, WV October 10

Chicago, IL October 15

Milwaukee, WI October 16

Atlanta, GA October 24

Orlando, FL November 1

Miami, FL November 7