Thread: Total Performance out of business?????

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If you go to the GoodGuys web site, there's a story about the sale/relocation to Speedway. Story states that they'll continue with the catalog (?) and parts from Total. D

I emailed them lastnight and this what what was in the email:

Call our Florida Store for parts.
386-437-9996


I am sure there are alot of resources to find parts, it just was nice to find a "specialist" in buckets.


Dennis

Here's the article from Goodguys..........

Speedway Motors, Inc. of Lincoln, Nebraska, has acquired the street rod-related assets of Total Performance, Inc. of Wallingford, Connecticut. The purchase unites two of the oldest, most respected names in street rodding and creates a stronger company that will better serve its customers.

Speedway Motors is known as America’s Oldest Speed Shop and is one of the largest manufacturers and retailers of specialty street rod and racing products. The company is highly regarded for its outstanding product selection, excellent customer service and industry-leading fast delivery.

Total Performance, founded in 1971, is widely recognized for manufacturing high-quality fiberglass T-bucket bodies, frames and kits, as well as a wide variety of related street rod components. The company’s extensive line of more than 3,500 products will continue to be marketed through its 148-page specialty catalog. All Total Performance operations will be consolidated into Speedway Motors’ facilities in Lincoln.

“Speedy” Bill Smith, founder and President of Speedway Motors, said the acquisition greatly benefits customers of both companies.

“Speedway Motors customers can now choose from an even greater selection of high-quality street rod components – especially T-bucket parts,” Smith said. “Total Performance customers will experience better service and quicker delivery times thanks to streamlined manufacturing processes and greater inventory capacity.”
Mickey Lauria, founder of Total Performance, said, “Speedway Motors’ reputation for high quality products and industry-leading service is well deserved.” Lauria will serve as a consultant to Speedway Motors during the transition.
Smith said the transaction closed earlier this month and that a smooth, seamless transition is expected. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

I have tried to reply to this post and it said my post had to be approved by a moderator, any idea why?

Typical as a new member on many forums... It's a technique to assure the forums are not loaded up by spam bots...

Well, thanks for all the info. I did order something from TP online so I will see if it shows up. For now I just will continue on taking it back apart and start over.


Dennis

Speedway told me today that they will be selling TP parts in one month

I called Speedway today and was told they will be sellins TP parts in about one month

I did order some parts through TP's website and I received email saying they will fill the order but it may take some time because of the closing of TP. Hopefully it will work out ok and parts will be available through Speedway.



Dennis

There always was some business relationship between Speedway and TP, even if it was just that they sold each other parts. For example, the chrome Corvair steering arm that we had snap in half was bought from Speedway, but it was sold to them by TP. Speedway was a little upset when that happened because they immediately pulled the arms from inventory and stopped selling them, but TP refused to make any changes, and continued on selling the same arm.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

...For example, the chrome Corvair steering arm that we had snap in half was bought from Speedway, but it was sold to them by TP. Speedway was a little upset when that happened because they immediately pulled the arms from inventory and stopped selling them, but TP refused to make any changes, and continued on selling the same arm.

Don

I remember that... It makes we wonder about the spindles I bought from TP... hope they don't follow suit!

I think you will be ok. For the most part Mickey carried some pretty good stuff. He knew his market and focused on it and stayed away from trying to branch out into too many areas that might not work for him. I do think they were experiencing cash flow problems at times though, as they would sometimes be able to ship you some of your order but "their vendors were backordered" on some others. That seemed to be happening more frequently in the past couple of years. No sin in that, most small businesses experience those lean times when vendors ask you to clean up some old bills before new orders are filled.

However, I did notice a decline in the quality of a couple of the items he was carrying lately............most notably the bodies. They have always been on the thin side, but the 2 or 3 he had stacked at Turkey Run were about as bad as I have seen anywhere. Huge parting lines, and seams where the various panels fit together. I walked up and looked at them and was pretty shocked. You always get those vendors at swap meets who are selling T bodies that they popped out in their home garages or small shops, and they look like they will take a ton of work to get them 1/2 way decent. That was the impression I got from seeing the ones he had on display at Daytona..........very cheaply made.

He does seem to have a fairly good product with the King T he is selling. Not a bad little track type T, and as with all the stuff he sold, you can buy every little piece to complete the car.

Don

Speedway is hiring more help because of the buyout. Lots of help wanted ads in the paper.