Folks Of Interest So Cal Speed Shop closing it's doors.

I just saw over on the Flat Spot on facebook that So Cal Speed Shop is closing and will be under a new name. I don't have any details but apparently So Cal Speed Shop was another victim of Covid 19.

 

That sucks, but glad to hear they will reopen under a new name.

 

Web site is still up

https://www.est1946.com/

From the website:

SO-CAL Speed Shop Locations
Please note that all locations are individually owned and operated.

Does this ownership / name change affect all 7 locations? Or just one?

 

Check out Roadster Supply 714-583-4118 Ask for Ray. Website roadstersupply.com It's owned by the man that ran the ordering and shipping for So-Cal Pomona. Selling the same parts and a lot more. I've bought 100's of parts for my customer chassis with no problems.

 

Sad. Another part of our history moving to the dumpster.

 

see that the Pomona, CA walk-in store closed - still filling online orders

 

Damn shame to see that iconic brand close down but also glad that at least some of the products will continue to be available

 

New website, Roadster Supply Company

https://www.roadstersupply.com/


Phil

 

Looks like same string different yoyo. If you ever Google "SoCal" or SCTA you get so many listings that you aren't hunting for that you have to refine your search. That may be a bit of it along with new folks running it.
At any rate I like their parts and hope they stay around no matter what they change the name to.
I can see stores that don't do a big mail order volume being hit hard right now and the rent and utilities go on no matter how many parts you sell.

 

It would be interesting to know who owns the SoCal Speed Shop trade name now. Alex maintained the state registration paperwork from the 3/3/46 start date. That was the key to using an iconic name. The passing of Pete was a blow to the operation. Throw in the covid-19 and SoCal joins a list of companies that have gone under.

 

As mentioned their website is still up and operational and nowhere does it state the store is permanently closed.

 

I was recently told by a So-Cal associate that Alex still retains the rights to the name. As to the closing the same person said they were wrapping up operations and cleaning out the building. I don't think they've been answering the phone?

 

I thought Pete Chapouris bought the company years ago.

 

Surprising. Based on my observation, the classic car / hot rod market is BOOMING due to COVID19 and the fact that a lot of people are staying home and working on their cars.

 

What happened to Jimmy Shine?

 

Shine has had his own shop for a couple of years.

 

He has his own shop -
https://www.shinespeedshop.com/projects

 

If some of the So-Cal guys have opened a very similar shop under a different name it sounds like the cost to retain the So-Cal name may be the issue.

 

Here's the thing...
I just talked So-Cal Speed Shop in Pomona.
So-Cal Speed Shop is not closing completely. We will still be able to do on line ordering but the physical location will be closed to walk-in customers.

 

That makes sense, Dave. Thanks.

 

We've seen some sh*t, haven't we?
There was a gaggle of hot rods ('32 roadsters and some 'Ts, 7 or 8, driving south on 99, out of Modesto last Thursday.
ALL the drivers and their lady friends had masks on...

 

I half expected to read that Ecklers bought them out. They did just about every other old car parts supplier.

 

Ecklers is now owned by Mac's.

 

other way around, eckler's bought mac out

 

To be clear : Eckler's bought Mac's Auto Parts. Mac Van Pelt (Van Pelt Sales) remains as one of the premier suppliers to the flathead world. There is some confusion between the two, which there absolutely should not be.

 

Sorry to hear this.

 

What a shame to lose such a high caliber build shop and parts source, have never seen a brick/mortar store that went strictly online do any good.
At least I got to attend one of their Fathers Day open house shindigs during LAR's.
It was a hoot.

 

At least the Hoffman group didn't buy it!