TORRINGTON – Two area men are returning to their roots to fill a need in the community. Friday, Tony Goulart and Aric Wantoch officially opened the doors at Pioneer Performance Automotive & Equipment in Torrington.

The full-service shop, located at 6619 U.S. Highway 85 – or the former location of Goshen Diesel Service – will run the full gamut of automotive and equipment repair needs, including gas and diesel, oil changes, alignments, tires, air-conditioning, engine performance diagnostics, electrical, suspension, powertrains, and more.

“Engine performance, suspension systems, transmission, in-cab entertainment systems – we have the equipment to diagnose and repair all those major electronic systems,” Goulart said. “With tire-pressure monitoring systems – it’s great thing to have, but it’s a common thing to fail on vehicles – we can take care of that. One thing I’d really like to mention, on the DPF (diesel particulate filter) systems, we’re going to be equipped to diagnose, service, repair and maintain those systems – they can be problematic.”

“In our name, Automotive and Equipment, we will also be able to service light industrial ag equipment, including forklifts, light tractors, ATVs,” Wantoch added.

Thursday morning, the pair worked to organize the shop and test all-new equipment, including lifts, tire equipment, an alignment machine, brake service equipment, and the latest in diagnostic scanners, ahead of their official opening day and ribbon cutting Friday. The dream to go into business together began when Goulart and Wantoch met driving livestock trucks.

“It’s where we both originally came from,” Goulart said of the automotive industry. He previously worked as a ground equipment mechanic for United Airlines, as well as earning an associate’s degree in automotive tech and is Ford-certified through Ford’s Automotive Training Program. Wantoch worked for Pep Boys, an automotive aftermarket retail and service chain, for 15 years. “Both of us had spent several years in the trucking industry – it was a difficult life on both of us. We spent a lot of time talking about our days in the shop … this was a good opportunity to team up and get back into the industry.

“(Wantoch) has a broad range of experience on all makes and models, and I have experience with Ford and some of the unique equipment you don’t see except on airlines,” Goulart continued. “The two of us coming together, we kind of fill each others’ gaps.”

The shop is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“It gives people a little bit more opportunity to get in … that extra few hours makes a big difference for people to get in to get vehicles repaired,” Wantoch said.

On Saturdays, the shop will feature walk-in oil changes. The pair also plans to offer 24/7 roadside assistance for incidents that do not require a tow truck.

“We want to thank David Cronk, owner of Goshen Diesel – he leased us this building and has been extraordinarily helpful and supportive of this business,” Goulart said. “Marly’s Signs (and Designs) in town did our sign … my father-in-law, Ron Moniz, designed and built our counters and dividers. Jill Bryan helped us get our furniture.”

Pioneer Performance Automotive & Equipment may be reached at (307) 340-1813. The shop also has an Instagram page, and will have a Facebook page in the near future.

Goulart and Wantoch are currently taking appointments.