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

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I just posted this on another forum and thought maybe some of you might be interested too.

Just read on another forum that some big changes have taken place at Total Performance. Some say Speedway bought out TP and is closing the locations, and some say Mickey is now using the KING T name and has moved to Florida. It seems the rumors might be true because some say they talked to Brian and he is looking for work,and another guy posted that he is the company who did all their fiberglass molding and he was ordered to stop production. Supposedly the Conn location is gone.


Anyone know more about what is going on???


Don

Don, you do know that Mickey has another TP shop in Florida, it's on Hwy 1 a few miles north of I-95 in Ormond Beach area. He also has a smaller 'store front' at the Destination Daytona Harley dealer at I-95 & Hwy 1. Here's a few pics we took one year at Biketoberfest.

Mike

Could be he's ready to retire, wind down, whatever you want to call it. It would be interesting if he consolidates around the King T since he doesn't build that one anyway. He remarkets that one from Superior Glassworks in Portland Or. http://www.superiorglassworks.com/19...-Roadster.html But then, if he sold his proprietary stuff to Speedy Bill that would be logical since he doesn't own the rights and hardware for the King T.

If this is retirement, then it is the second time he has tried it - 10/12 years ago when I still had mine, he turned the company over to his daughter Lisa. She could not really do it so Mickey again took over the company as the principle leader/CEO/owner, etc. If this company disappears, even if Speedway assumes sale, it will be the end of an era that put many of us in street rods at a reasonable price for a reasonable car. My car, #1317, was built 1987-9, and driven until 2001 by me, now enjoyed by another

That is what I am thinking Bob, he has done this for so many years he might want to retire or semi-retire and move down here. I only briefly stopped by his booth at Turkey Run this year, Don needed a mirror, and I had a strange feeling about his setup for some reason. He was featuring more of those track cars than anything, but he did have two bare bodies sitting there for sale. That in itself was odd because he normally only had room in the trailer for bodies that were presold and just being delivered at the show (I bought one that way one year). I wondered if sales were off because he actually brought two to sell.

But what struck me the most was the quality of those bodies. They looked very cheap IMO. There were huge parting lines in various places, and it seemed to me he was using a new supplier who was popping them out as cheap as possible. His bodies have always been a little on the thin side, but these were very much like the ones you see that crop up at most large car shows, where someone starts making T bodies in their garage and tries to sell them. It just seemed to be a major departure from what they had carried in the past.

Things are goofy right now businesswise, Mickey has been around the block a few times, maybe he figured it was time to fold em.

Don

I saw this posted over on the HAMB. According to the person who posted it, Speedway bought TP out and was closing stores. Reported that Mickey was retiring. He is already in Florida, don't know the fate of his business there.

I never built one of his units, thought about it many times, but never did. But he always had good quality stuff. Can't always say the same about Speedway.

Where is/was the CT store located? I remember our paper del guy at work talking about this place a few months ago. He was thinking about doing a Rod. Think they were in the Wallingford area he said? I see him a few times a week and I'll ask him.

Yep, Wallingford. Here is where it was located, as written on their website:

Total Performance moved to this 7500 square foot facility in 1990. Our showroom is filled with parts to complete your dream Hot Rod from'23T's to '34 Coupes.


Over 75% of the components in stock are produced right here in our Wallingford, CT plant, and products from outside vendors are carefully inspected to meet our strict quality standards.



Directions:

From Interstate 91, use exit 13 to Route 5, turn right and go north on Route 5 for about 1 mile to South Orchard Street. Total Performance is on your right at the intersection.


Don

I'll talk to him this week and see if he can swing by there and see what's up. He lives close by to them. Bummer to hear.

Just called and got in touch with a "ANNIE??? Forgot the name already due to the shock of the faclilty closing. The CT operation is SHUT DOWN. Speedway did buy into TP and Mickey is running KING T in FLA. The CT facility is closed and slowly being emptied out.

...and another - time and age does it again :cry::cry:

So Mickey semi-retired and went to Florida to work on some other toys???? Always thought he was an intelligent man, guess this proves it!!!!! Conneticut in the winter vs. Florida in the winter????? Hmmm. not a real tough decision!!! I doubt Mickey is a kid anymore either!!!

Hate to see one of the bastions of the T world closing down, but heck, guess I don't blame the man for doing it!!! My very first ever "store bought" T package came out of the Conneticut shop many moons ago.... if I should ever want another, Speedy Bill's place in Lincoln is a whole lot closer.... Just wondering if the ever increasing freight charges became an issue, too????

I'd like to stop at the FL shop on my way to vacation in July. I have driven past it on I-95 and didn't even know it on my way to Orlando. If they are still open in July I'm stopping.

Hello all,
First off I am new here and thanks for letting me join.

I am kind of sad hearing that TP closed and I just bought a TP kit. I purchased the kit that came from a tech school that never completed it, heck, they never started it. It was outside for 2 winters (frame).

Are parts going to be available for TP kits now?

Dennis

Originally Posted by McDenny's

Hello all,
First off I am new here and thanks for letting me join.

I am kind of sad hearing that TP closed and I just bought a TP kit. I purchased the kit that came from a tech school that never completed it, heck, they never started it. It was outside for 2 winters (frame).

Are parts going to be available for TP kits now?

Dennis

Don't worry if you can't find TP parts as their components are nothing spectacular. I have no idea what you need but for sure we here. including many that have built one of their cars, can help with suggestions. Also, if you can find one of their construction "manuals" as most parts are shown with drawings.