HomeCar CultureCommentary‘Mickey Thompson: The Lost Story of the Original Speed King’

‘Mickey Thompson: The Lost Story of the Original Speed King’

Like a ghost from the past, the original speed king tells his story in his own words

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The name Mickey Thompson has mythical status. It’s a name that inspired so many to go fast. His name remains on many speed goodies to this day.

For many, the name also was shrouded in mystery when Thompson and his wife were gunned down in their San Gabriel, California driveway in 1988. A former business partner, Michael Goodwin, was convicted of a murder-for-hire plot in 2001 and is serving two consecutive life terms.

But past all the mystery, Thompson’s life was one of accomplishment in both racing and business. Whether at Bonneville, Indianapolis, Daytona, Baja or Pomona, the Speed King saw success after success. Many books have been written about the legend, but none might capture the essence of the man as Mickey Thompson: The Lost Story of the Original Speed King. After all, it’s Thompson who tells the stories.

Thompson in the cockpit of the twin-Chrysler

In the early 1970s, journalist Tom Madigan was summoned by Thompson to work on an autobiographical book. Strangely, while Madigan was paid for his time and efforts, Thompson never did anything with the draft. Madigan passed away in March 2019, age 80. It was his final wish that the book be published.

An act of kindness to car nuts everywhere, his wish is now in the hands of a public that can hear Thompson’s firsthand stories and the insight of the author as he sat with the subject.

The Twin-Chrysler Streamliner

Like having a séance in the workshop, Thompson’s stories take us from his humble beginnings during the Great Depression to his first cars and interest in racing, tinkering, ingenuity and business. It really is a wonderful walk through the infancy of Southern California hot rodding. The stories from Lion’s Dragstrip to Bonneville, then onto Indianapolis. The foreword is written by So-Cal Speed Shop founder, Alex Xydias.

Thompson chose his stories well. The reader’s mind is given vivid imagery. But the book also has more than 150 photographs that run the gamut of the early years and the growing legend.

The stories are as inspiring to today’s car culture as they are to the history buff. We see new would-be Mickey Thompsons springing up in drifting, tuner culture and in the grassroots of motorsport – and this could be the guidebook.

5/5 stars

Author: Tom Madigan
Published 12/10/19
Hardback, 240 Pages, 8.5” x 10”
150 Color and B&W photos
ISBN: 9780760365991
Publisher: Quarto/Motorbooks
$50.00

Tom Stahler
Tom Stahler
Tom Stahler is the Managing Editor of the ClassicCars.com Journal. Tom has a lifelong love of cars and motor racing – beginning with the 1968 USRRC race at Road America, in a stroller, at eight months of age. His words, photos and broadcasts can can be found on a myriad of media. He has won the Motor Press Guild’s Dean Batchelor Award and a Gold Medal in the International Automotive Media Awards.

1 COMMENT

  1. When I was in the Navy and stationed in Long Beach Ca Mickey had a shop on Long Beach Blvd. I used to go to his shop just for something to do on my time away from the ship . When he was there he was always very pleasant to me and since I had a Pont. he was always letting me have a used part or two for free!

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