Total Performance out of business?????

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:CRY:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i8...d/Bucket23.jpg

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

Quote:

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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

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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.

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

Quote:

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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

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

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.