South San Francisco, CA March 15, 2019
Another local iconic business favorite appears to be the latest victim to the building explosion as Gotelli Speed Shop announced today they would be closing their doors because they lost their lease. In the recent past we have lost long time favorite businesses including South City Car Wash, Galli’s Bakery, BACA’s Machine Shop, Clearlight Trophies, Oyster Point Marina, etc, and today’s news brings about another sense of disquiet to long time residents. It feels as though our past is being erased one business at a time, and replaced with ever taller buildings as high density makes it’s mark through out what was once a small town.
Gotelli’s opened their shop on May 1, 1962 and has been the go to place for decades with continued satisfaction and repeat loyal customers who are now left wondering what will happen next. They have not yet secured another facility and have said they will update this information on their Facebook page when they know.
Ted posed for this Christmas photo last year on their Facebook page, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Over 450 loyal fans returned the sentiment to Ted and the Gotelli family
Their 50th Anniversary was a milestone and celebrated accordingly.
The memories Ted and his family have created in the lives of so many will continue, and everyone is invited to their last day, March 30th, as they say they will have something special planned between 10am – 2pm.
The property at 321 El Camino Real (PN013145150) does not have any current plans for redevelopment per the City’s construction website link and no permits appear to have been filed either. We will continue to monitor both Gotelli’s next step, and what will be replacing this historic and much loved shop.
Share your memories and photos with us either in comment or email to News@EverythingSouthCity.com
Andy Saunders, one of Gotelli’s best customers, shared this photo on the Gotelli’s FB pg
Stu Harmon snapped this photo of Ted during the Holidays last year.
Great memories – from Gotelli’s FB pg.
UPDATE: Thanks to John K for sharing this link (Hot Rod) with more photos and stories about the Gotelli family and Speed Shop.
So saddened to hear, I grew up on this place. Now that I have a classic car hobby there are no local dealers now. Have you found another location?
I have a 71 pinto that I was told built by a Bob Townes. I hoping to get some info on it.
Car is blue with yellow and orange flames. Any info would be awesome. It has a Gotelli speed shop license plate frame that is how I located you. Thanks and good luck at new location.
Frank Ketlers on Spruce in S.S.F. He had a machine shop and sold performance auto parts.
Oh man !! I was shocked when the building was skinned alive. I remember Ted’s Dad Gotelli Sr. well . These guys are History makers . Well I Hope you all get back on track. You are the last of great ones on the peninsula . Glad Ted signed my shirt for me . Looking forward to see when you reopen. Godspeed Ted jr- Spencer Simon (SLRHN)
Thank God they’re not closed for good. Good luck finding another place…. In South city!!!! Or Daly city?
gotelli speed shop did not close, it moved to san bruno due to giant rent increase, I dont think there are any plans to build anything else there
Seems like all good things in S.S.F. Our disappearing. Once again Gottelli”s is the latest to go. When will So.S. F. City Council help keep Shops like Gottellis from closing. I understand that we need to update the area. But how about preserving some local small businesses! What is all this building of low income properties. Don’t mind some but it seems we are consumed with this. How about building more attractions for the children in are community and saving small businesses!!! Then we also have had the eye sore of Spruce and El Camino Real what is happening to our city! How about bringing in some great restaurants!
NEW LOCATION
721 Camino Plaza
San Bruno, CA 94066
HOURS Tues-Friday 10-5 Sat 10-2
Closed Sunday-Monday
Hi Ted this is Pete
you have seen me coming in there for over 30 years.
I hope you find someplace to move and open up again soon.
Pete
Ted, Whenever I wanted to take a scroll down memory lane I’d take a visit to your speed shop. It would bring me back to my impressable years when life was good. Life of the Great Highway, Brotherhood, Fremont Dragstrip, Champion 1/8 mile strip and all the other good things associated with that era. Whereevrr you go and do, take good care of yourself buddy.
So sorry to hear this Ted.
I’ve been shopping there since the early 1960s.
In fact I bought a 365hp 327 short block from “Gotelli’s” in 1966 [$250], how can you beat that?
I installed it in my folk’s 57 Chevy, lived in Daly City.
I’ve been driving my 1930 Ford pickup [Blown sbc 4-speed, chopped,channeled, fenderless] for 50 years as of last month
thanks to you and those great speed parts.
What memories, going to track at HMB or Fremont, then back to your speed shop to make our cars go even faster.
This place is a piece of history, our gearhead history, I won’t soon forget it.
I still wear my Gotelli’s jacket and smock.
Fast cars, rock-n-rock and women in any order you like, the shop took care of the fast cars portion.
Thanks for the memories Ted, I wish you luck,
Mick Coyne
Hey Ted, sorry to hear this. I was a regular from 1965 until the early 1980’s. Still come by occasionally just to see what is new. Sorry that you could not get the polo shirts in by the holidays. Hope you find a place to re-open the BEST speed shop in Northern California.
Ted going to miss rubbing the pups ear on the counter I’m sure your going to find another place and maybe even better fit for the business
God Bless Mark
Going to miss Gary Ryans burn out poster when you walk in ,
Hey Ted this is a voice from the past I heard about your shop that’s sucks and I’m just being polite I do say though I have to thank you for some of the best memories laughs and hangovers thank you Old man gotelli that’ll never forget and I wanna thank you for sponsoring my car hope you find a new shop soon thanks again for the great memories
Wow,sad news as a kid going to Ssf high school and loving hot rods and drooling at gotellis. Man I used to walk out with a smile. I think me and my buddy was buying stuff every other week there. MikrIt is a true icon. Going to as many local car meets I do know hot rods are still very much alive and so I hope you can find a new location and make it bigger and better and start a new icon.
I remember you guys while I was at Moffett 65-67. Used to go to Fremont if not on duty. I like businesses that weather the storms and push foward. Like my family”s business. We have been in business since 1852. Really something to be proud of. This is a 4-story wooden building that was built in 1815. The same family has owned this. Wakefield, RI 02879.
Truly a shock ! Where will i go to find a smile welcoming me when i walk in,I hope you find a place in s.s.f.
Is there anything that we can do to keep this from happening?
known these guys for 40 years. Hope they find another location to carry on. Great people…………..lots of history!!!!! Be Bleessed! Mark Pettersen/Pettersen Motorsports
I have been coming here for over twenty years when in the Bay. Have seen the shop through a couple facelifts and Ted is my constant. I hope the shop lives on as it’s a part of Bay Area and Racing history. This breaks my heart.
I’m sorry to see Gotelie’s closing. I used to go to Gotelie’s, or Champion Speed Shop, in the mid 60’s to the late 70’s, for my custom parts. Later years, it was for goodies for my Jeep, or to just look around at what was new.
What’s called, “progress”, sometimes sucks !
My best wishes to Ted and his crew and I hope that he will find something soon.
Thank you for this wonderful write up. We truly appreciate your kind words at this sad time.
Ted Gotelli
Ted – thanks for all of the years.
If it’s any consolation; you’re the last man standing of a great tradition of bay area speed shops.
A moment of silence for: Vic Hubbard, HPD, Goodies Speed Shop, and Gotelli’s. You were from a better time
Awww. Gonna miss your friendly smile and wealth of information. Good luck Ted and the crew.The Chevelle and Challenger wouldn’t have been what they became without you.❤Pam Gradney
Ted, this is Doug with the Blue 69 Vette!
I cannot believe this is happening! I just heard about your losing your lease after all these years. I remember the first time I walked into your families Speed Shop! I had just enough money (I was 13 and it was 1962) to buy a decal of the Clay Smith Smokin Woodpecker. I’ve been coming to your shop ever since! Since I live in Mar in County now, it’s been tough to get down to So. City to see you guys. I’ll be there Saturday morning early! Your friend Doug Thomsen
PS. I hope you find another building,and the landlord isn’t a greedy bastard! Lol!
SEEYA!!
I’m so disappointed that the city of South San Francisco is losing another icon with the closure of Gotelli’s speed shop. What is going on in our city. No theaters,no pee wee golf no Gallis bakery. Nothing in this city for our kids! These tall buildings are ridiculous. How about the small business owners who is supporting them. City Concil really needs to wake up.
Put veteran so city people in charge…instead of people from A different country all together
So sad, it’s been a fixture for as long as I can remember. Does Brizio Street rods have a place maybe for them on the side of one of their buildings. One stop shop does it all. Keep me posted. Although I had to move north I miss my home town.
remember when there was champion speed shop on old mission road , owned by the brizio family, and Gotelli speed shop on el camino owned by the Gotelli family
This is BULLSHIT!!! Wat is this fuckn world comn to with all this greed for more money raising prices on everything this is going on every where…..in this greater bay area only!, well now I hope who ever owns that land is happy with their GREEDY decision,cuz now that land is just gonna sit there and not ever make any money cuz who in their right mind every day average down to earth people can afford that? None! To my Gotelli’s speed shop friends worry not my good people just look on the bright side things really do happen for a reason trust me and that means God all mighty has a better plan for u!!, this won’t stop me from shopping at my favorite place, So Mr. Ted sir keep ur head up I’ll keep u in my prayers just want u to kno sir bad things like this doesn’t happen to good people good Lord above just won’t let it happen so this could b a blessing in disguise go where you’re not my friend! Things will get better just wait & c.may God Always Bless u & ur Family and always watch over U! I do plan on seeing once you get situated till then you have a very good day and a nice weekend thank you for everything you’ve done for people including me that motor is a monster and all things to you don’t know you personally but felt like family when I was in there with your son’s as we discussed what kind of motor to build and I love you for that cuz I’m very very happy with what you put together with me I will never forget it do you guys take care you guys are good people,good luck and will c u soon we must think it believe it & the rest will follow think positive!
My uncle Jim sent me this link yesterday and I almost cried… This is such bullshit! Gotelli Speed Shop should be considered a LANDMARK. I thought Gotelli owned the building and/or land? South San Francisco should be ashamed of themselves for letting this happen! I’m so frustrated right now with this type of shit going on…. I’m pissed at the city and a little pissed at Gotelli Speed Shop! People from all over the Bay Area would come to this place, I live in the Sunnyvale area and I would travel to the best speed shop! Just after I thought this week couldn’t get any weirder for me… Is there anything that we can do to keep this from happening?
My uncle Jim sent me this link yesterday and I almost cried… This is such bullshit! Gotelli Speed Shop should be considered a LANDMARK. I thought Gotelli owned the building and/or land? South San Francisco should be ashamed of themselves for letting this happen! I’m so frustrated right now with this type of shit going on…. I’m pissed at the city and a little pissed at Gotelli Speed Shop! People from all over the Bay Area would come to this place, I live in the Sunnyvale area and I would travel to the best speed shop! Just after I thought this week couldn’t get any weirder for me… Is there anything that we can do to keep this from happening?
This quality shops reputation will always be in my heart and others who shopped here with confidence and getting the best service from teddy and his staff , since the early 70s.
Really was amazing how they assisted me in the high perf.modifications to my 1969 RT Charger , from the ignition to the exhaust systems..Best of luck to the Gotelli family and staff..
Thank God they’re not closed for good. Good luck finding another place…. In South city!!!! Or Daly city?
GOD BLESS