The "Tangerine T"

Total Peformance, Inc. of Wallingford, CT presents the newest look for the entry level vehicle. This new kit is designed with the beginner in mind. Looking at this work of art, you will see ideas that are different from what you have seen in the past. Carbon Fiber, polished stainless steel chassis, wings and flares, paint which tears from the body, Carson style hard top, Air ride suspension, LS1 Corvette engine and aluminum rearend, and a sound system controlled by the speed of the vehicle.

Although this car can be built right from the Total Performance catalog, we'd like to tell you a little bit about all the parts it took to build this car.

Starting with the body, which was designed and developed in 1995 to make entry and exit of the T-Bucket easier, we developed this smooth and sleek-looking body by lowering the sides by 3 inches and raising the back by 3 inches, giving the body the look of the early style bodies of the 60's.

Using the optional dash and cluster gauge panel, we gave the interior that late model car look. The seat insert we designed to give the driver and passenger more comfort as well as a better line of site of the road ahead. The chassis, although polished stainless steel built by the METAL SHOP of North Branford, CT, is a duplicate of the standard chassis built and constructed by Total and has all the same dimensions as the standard car.

The front suspension contains an ALL-ROD front axle, commonly used as an option with the T-Bucket, using a 46 inch narrow axle with the hefty 2 inch tube and 5 inch drop. Wilwood disc brakes adorn the Total Performance chrome spindles with 360 degree caliper mounting brackets and the newly designed front fender mounting. Carbon Fiber 5 inch wide front fenders cover the 135 X 15 tires mounted on the unique Colorado Custom 15 X 5 billet aluminum rims.

Looking at the awesome LS1 1999 Corvette engine gives the effect that it nested itself into the chassis and has always been there. The artwork of the engine and 4L60E is the work of STREET AND PERFORMANCE fo Mena, Ark. With some help from Painless Wiring of Fort Worth, TX, the engine comes to life and runs as smooth as it looks.

Going to the rear of the car we see the flip-style "Fat Bob" 14 inch wide fenders and the winged pickup bed cover accenting again the Colorado Custom 20" billet wheels surrounded by Nitto 31 1/2" tall rear tires. Still at the back of the car we find that it is equipped with the newest in the line of Air Ride Technologies of Jasper, IN. The SHOCKWAVE FOR SMOOTHER RIDE AND PROVEN TO BE A BOLT IN RETROFIT FOR ALL EXISTING Total T-Buckets. The LED tail lights and third brake light are from Lampert Products of Knoxville, TN. We can't help but gaze at the beauty of the Currie Enterprise of Tusin, CA polished 9 inch aluminum rear end, with its polished 3rd member equipped with a 3.89 gear ratio.

Sound in this car is presented by CUSTOM AUTOSOUND, MFG. of Anaheim, CA. Its carbon fiber look and remote control gives sound never experienced in an open car. Its hide-a-way dash mounted radio is perfect for this tiny car. The subwoofer is mounted under the driver's seat, and the 6 CD changer under the passengers seat. The amps and radio are secured in the pickup bed, along with the polished stainless steel fuel tank.

The main attraction of the car is of course the stunning body profile and its creative paint scheme. The House of Color's "Candy Tangerine" color covers most of the body, but the carbon fiber wrap around the front and sides is accented by the ripping graphic paint from PAINTHEAD designs of Seymour, CT.

The Carson style top has been covered, and headliner installed, by Fairfield Upholstery of Fairfield, CT.

The striking beauty if this car tells the story of Total Performance. The first T that Mickey Lauria of Total Performance built in 1966, was named the "Tangerine T" and painted the same as this new car. The way the paint rips from the car symbolizes the NEW GENERATION of street rods to come, and future of emission-legal engines is defined in the use of the LS1 Corvette engine. Look ahead...the future is here!