Passing The TorchIn the heyday of Ford V-8 Flathead hot rodding, four out of five dry lakes records were held with Navarro heads and manifolds. Just recently the legendary Barney Navarro announced that after 60-plus years of research, development, and manufacturing of cylinder heads and intake manifolds for Flatheads, he's decided to pass the torch to Mike Herman of H&H Flatheads Forever to continue the manufacturing of the legendary Navarro Racing Equipment Co.
After careful thought, Barney and his wife, Donna, have decided that Mike Herman at H&H Flatheads was the best choice for the continuation of the Navarro Racing Equipment. H&H has been building Flatheads and four-bangers since the mid-'60s and has always been a family business-headed up by Mike Herman on the V-8 Flatheads, Max Herman III on the four-bangers, Lauren Herman as the office manager, and Max Herman Jr. as the adviser and R&D department.
H&H Flatheads plans to continue producing the highest quality Navarro parts and to reintroduce the 1949-53 heads and dual-carb intake manifolds that have not been made in over 40 years. For more information, contact H&H Flatheads Forever, 4451 Ramsdell Ave. Dept SRM, La Crescenta, CA 91214; call (818) 248-2347; or visit www.flatheads-forever.com.
Total Performance Turns 35After 35 years in the street rodding industry and being one of the first to invest in this wonderful sport, Total Performance has decided to celebrate its birthday by continuing to lead. Total Performance grew from just one full-time employee back in '71 to producing its 1,000th T-bucket (not to mention countless Model As and Deuces constructed, or the repairs and upgrades of literally thousands of cars) in the '80s. Total Performance is proud to say they've been here to see the industry materialize from the beginning.
Today Total Performance is located in a 7,800 square-foot facility and employs 22 individuals, which consist of sales, shipping/receiving, machine shop, welding/fabrication, fiberglass assembly, and fit/finish departments, as well as assembly/subassembly departments for its sister companies, Cool-Flex Fluid Transfer Hoses, and Inglese Induction Systems Ltd.
Total Performance has shown its leadership and innovation in the industry for over 35 years. From the beginning, they've always catered to the street rod enthusiast of all levels. From designing cars with different styles to suit all tastes to vehicles that are easier to enter and exit, as well as build and afford, to products that increase the safety of operation, Total Performance has been there on the forefront.
This year is just the beginning of the "new" Total Performance. Soon Total Performance will have a new adventure into the street rod market by opening the first-ever retail store devoted exclusively to the sale and promotion of nothing but street rod parts at the World's Largest Harley-Davidson Dealership know as "Destination Daytona." The 24-7 display of hot rods and Harley's will attract millions of car and bike enthusiasts from around the world, making them aware of the street rod industry and allowing those who have never been to an event of this magnitude to touch, feel, smell, and of course purchase the car of their dreams.
For more information, contact Total Performance Inc., 400 S. Orchard St., Dept. SRM, Wallingford, CT 06492; call (203) 265-5667; or visit www.tperformance.com.