Speedway Motors

I was wondering what that gold bronze rainbow colored stuff is that they make certain things out of? That stuff looks shady to me? But I do buy from speedway only when I have too?

 

Kellys Hot Rod Speed-

You kidding me? I don't care who that was directed at but that's the most ridiculous thing I have read in a long time on here. Yeah I get getting the best deal on parts, but for you to basically say its ok for a big company to steal from the small company that strives to make the parts like they traditionally were made is ridiculous. If ya got a problem with someone that's another issue but to make yourself sound like an ignorant field donkey... Well that's your choice. Shows your real colors.



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Thanks for that info, Ryan.

 

I'm no businessman, but doesn't some of that violate any patent laws or copyright laws? Like I'm assuming the artwork is copyrighted or something similar

 

Im sorry if you felt I attached you...that was not really my intention..But because of your position here I think you should be held at a higher level...It just appears to me the alliance vendors get a pass on poor products and bad customer service and you seem to refer to them as friends..ps are strombergs now made in the USA??

 

This is probably going to turn to shit fast. But without people getting emotional we could have an interesting debate here.

I just re-read Kellys post. What struck me was the value for money comment. I suspect that Clive's carburetor may well be better value for money than Speedway's.

Value doesn't always equal cheap.

Time to declare "I buy from Speedway"

 

Ryan.
Although I agree with you that “buying American” is of utmost importance, your rant against Speedway is energy spent on the wrong problem.
Companies like Hotrod works are so poorly run that they insure their own failure. Guys that actively build cars can’t wait months for parts…oh, sure, there are a few old timers on here that have months to wait for parts and will always support them. Many of us need to keep the parts coming to get the build done in a reasonable time. Maybe their problem is supply based, but that doesn’t excuse them from not communicating with customers via phone or e-mail. I have ordered from them and had to return an item. They kept my money for over 60 days before crediting my charge.
As for the Stromberg 97’s at 450.00 a piece… you can thank your buddy for nothing! That’s a gold chainers product. All my local rod buddies laugh over the thought of spending $1350.00 for trips on the flatty! I did order a linkage with return springs from them. Must say, it’s the best I’ve ever used, but I had to wait 8 weeks for it to arrive. Guess what, Speedway will probably jump on that next and deliver it in 2 days.
It’s nice that you have a forum to support your friends but they could learn a few things from Speedway in the way of customer needs and service.
Incidental, are not those 97's made in England?

 

They are the walmart of the hotrod industry.

I like that they are an option and have ordered from them. Museum is on the bucket list.

 

Good on you Ryan for speaking up. Expect to be sued now.

How bout Fenton Headers? Speedway pretty much picked up the name due to a lack of a trademark, sent a cease and desist to Patricks, and now produce the headers in China. And they are terrible, terrible, terrible. If you can still find some Patrick's made headers, they are great.

I've got more...

Sad part is, I still buy from Speedway on some stuff simply because I don't have any options.

 

I agree with that statement, I try to shop locally or in state if possible. The industry has changed so that "Mom & Pop" speed shops can't or have a hard time competing. Speedway has obviously adapted to survive, that being said they have some questionable practices and products. It's up to us as customers to decide what we want to buy/support. If I cheap out and buy Chinese knowingly I won't complain about the quality anywhere..I screwed up and screwed myself. There's something to the "You get what you pay for." Saying.


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I looked at the speedway 9super7 fairly hard for a while. I had a original 97 professionally rebuilt, it just was not working. Went through everything, ignition, vacuum, etc. Even sent it back to rebuilder, it came back with the same problem (hey, not everyone is perfect 100% of the time). Was getting quite feedup with it and dumping money into the carb. Researched online the speedway carb. (not just the hamb, I googled it and read tons on a bunch of sites) reviews were all over the place. I think the thing that bugged me the most and made me hesitate on pushing the button on it has already been stated. That and buying a whole new carb.

My last ditch effort on the carb was a local race carb rebuilder. I knew about him but he mostly did race track holley 4 & big 2 barrels and wasn't sure he did the 97s, which he had only done a few. His price was fair so I thought okay one more try. Glad I did. Looks & runs, perfect.

I picked up speedways water pumps for my flathead a while back. I didn't do my research and found out they will leak after a while. Well they did. I believe they have fixed this issue since. Now I send my pumps to skip, no complaints.

*** My point is to do some research. It's free and it'll save you money no matter whom you buy from.

I won't lie, I still buy stuff from speedway. Just bought a full engine gasket set from them.

 

Good old capitalism and all of her ugly faces. I'm sure the courts can settle who is right and wrong. Myself at least, always puts and effort in supporting mom and pop shops. However, I have spent thousands on Speedway and the company's roots are pure American hot rod. Plus, they have real hot rod tech support. I'm sure they are guilty of carrying some China junk but want mega company isn't.... We all have an obligation to be smart consumers. I really hope what Ryan said isn't true cause taking from the lil' guy ain't right.... Thanks for the info guys.


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I like hearing all sides of the discussion. Big problem in all industries in our great country with companies stealing ideas and taking them to china. Not easy to slam the brakes on a freight train and turn it around and thats what we have with the companies that do the thieving of designs. I buy from speedy bill because I know it will ship that day. I don't always know what is copied and what is made in america until I open the box. I recently got robbed on freight charge from an iowa based popular company for a three pound box and when I brought it to the vendor's attention they acted like I was a baby about it. Next time I will use speedy bill and there you have it, the vicious cycle of made in china thriving again.

 

I did once buy their brand of fuel pump.... It was loud and obviously not as good as the name brand. They took it back without problems. As result, I don't always just buy the "cheaper" products...


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Couldn't agree with you more, but it is also the responsibility of those innovators to work at manufacturing, marketing and distributing their product in a timely and affordable manner...the business side of this is a very important part of success. "That's what it costs...take it or leave it" attitude that many small suppliers have is what Speedway thrives on!
Supporting these guys requires more than "character"... it takes a lot of cash!

 

Made in the USA, Made in England it's just the same, or is the "Special Relationship" a one way road only. England has manufacturing costs at least as high as the US, probably higher so they're not competing unfairly.

I'd prefer to run one good, Made in England, Stromberg 97 than have three cheap Chinese copies on my manifold.

If Speedway want to make a product available to the masses they should buy the design rights. I wouldn't buy a product if I knew it had been stolen so a list of fakes would be a great help.

Ed

 

I fixed my issue 3 yrs ago and stopped buying from them.

 

Amen! Thanks for taking a stand against their tactics

 

Have to say it's nice to see some buy American stuff coming from the HAMB. I buy stuff from Speedway, and have learned to ask where it comes from. Always felt kind of out of place when posting Buy American sentiments on here, really glad to see things turn around. Have gotten emails from Speedway asking what I thought, and that old Bill reads every one...he must have a pretty big garbage can, for all the good it did. Plus I hate idea thieves, product bootleggers, and one way international traders. on top of that, there is always some goon who sez, "where do you think your computer was made?" OK, I'm done.

 

I buy from Speedway.... a lot. First, the cost is usually lower. Second, it's usually the same product that a small guy sells, but it's cheaper. I do a LOT of research before I pull out my money. Maybe, I've been lucky, but I've never gotten a bad product from Speedway. Even the "Made in China" stuff worked as it should. I've had one part shipped that wasn't right, but the box was mislabeled and the parts puller probably didn't catch it. Speedway swapped it out with no issues and sent me a freight sticker for the return.

I also buy from the little guy, when I can. Sometimes at a money loss, but I felt like tossing the guy some business. One two occasions dealing with the little guy, I was sent a part that had been redesigned and wasn't told and a couple other parts that were wrong and the response was basically, 'Well, can't you find a way to make it work." When I drop my hard earned money for a part or service, I'm not looking to "find a way to make it work." I want it right and as advertised.

What I'm getting to is, there are a few small "Made in USA" businesses that need to get their shit together. You can research the HAMB and find Speedway screw ups, but you can also find a LOT more of USA businesses that take forever to ship, don't ship the right product, no customer support, take forever to refund on a bad part or don't ship a damn thing and keep the money. In fact, those "Made in USA" small guys that screw up consistently are the bulk of bad product reviews on here.

So, if the small business fells like he's getting screwed, maybe they need to stop doing a lot of the screwing. And this goes for a LOT of small businesses. more than folks will admit. No one can talk shit about China, if they don't give a rats ass about what they are putting out.

It's a two way street. Do your research, then buy. But don't assume the "Made in USA" is a golden ticket, because a lot of times, it isn't.

 

I know I am new to this whole forum. Speedway is always my first choice and here is why. While deployed I was ordering parts and having them sent to a friend. Well one part was damaged badly don't know who's fault it was my friends or Speedway. They took the part back 4 months after it was ordered no questions asked. They even help my mom out when she calls to get me something. I will take Speedway over just about any other parts retailer.

As for my dealings with Alliance Members I will never support them again. The two I have done business with I will never do it again. They take payment from me no problem. Then it is hurry up and wait for the product. Then all the lies and passing of fault on the shipper or their distributor. Sorry but if you take my hard earned money I expect something in return. If you don't have it in stock then do not advertise that you have it.

 

Something the little guy lacks over the mongo corporations is a team of corporate lawyers.


Hey we all have light bulds and edision was labled for being awesome but do you know how he got to be so big and powerful?

Does speedy bill even run speedway anymore or is it run by a group of people with the sole interest of big pay checks and mega profits?

 

It is not that I won't do business with any of them. It is the fact that I will stay loyal to a company that has treated me right. The first company you mentioned is one of the two that did me wrong. As to being an Alliance Member I have no want to be one. Just my personal preference. As to you smelling some thing I don't have an answer for that.