About Full Tilt Automotive and Performance

Full Tilt Automotive is your one-stop shop for car repair and automotive performance. We help our clients with everything from an oil change to full classic car restomod. 

Our clients range from single moms who work two jobs, to Mercedes owners who are out of warranty, to weekend warriors who race at the track, to car collectors that own 53 cars. Each of these clients trust us and they recommend us to their friends and family because we treat them like their our only client.

What makes us different is simple. Each picture you see on our website is of a car that we worked on. These aren’t stock images or pictures of cars from the internet. These are true high performance vehicles that we intimately know, understand and repair on a daily basis. These clients trust us with their vehicles and you can too!

Full Tilt Automotive and Performance Team

At Full Tilt Automotive and Performance, we get the job done right the first time!

Jonathan Longworth

Jon founded Full Tilt Automotive and Performance after working for Bert Smith BMW, Thrifty Car Sales, and Firestone Automotive. He was qualified to serve as the Lead Technician at each of these jobs because he graduated at the top of his class from Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in 2007. UTI is well known for preparing their students to build performance cars, perform maintenance and excel at repair. While at UTI, Jon passed each of the 10 ASE Certifications, making him a Master Technician upon graduation.  

Jonathan took everything he learned at UTI and each of his other positions to start Full Tilt, and give people in the Tampa Bay Area an honest mechanic they can trust.

Jon’s Rides: 2020 Tahoe, 2016 Tundra, ’83 Chevrolet D100, ’82 Malibu Wagon, ’81 Camaro and a ’54 Bel-Air

 

Jeff Dicken II

Jeff is our Shop Forman and his automotive journey started at the age of 8 where he helped his dad swap a new Buick 455 engine into his ’72 Riviera. He later worked at BMR Suspension where he fabricated tubular suspension, mig welding, powdercoating, and set up jigs. At BMR he met a private collector and took a position restoring and maintaining his fleet of classic muscle cars. While there, his proudest achievements were rebuild a ’68 Corvette engine and completely diassemble and reesembling a 1957 Bel Air for a complete restoration.

In 2014 Jeff was intorduced to Jon by a mutual friend. Jeff started helping Jon with engines a few days a week, and then Jeff became a full time employee two months later.

Jeff’s Rides:  ’89 IROC Z28 Camaro, ’90 IROC Camaro, and a ’80 Z28 Camaro

Jamie Kaspar

Jamie is a veteran car guy with more than 25 years of hands on experience making engines come to life. Before joining Full Tilt, Jamie owned two different high performance shops in Ohio. In one he sold Custom Choppers that he built from scratch for discerning customers. In the other he built custom motors from 55 to current – 10-15 units at a time. These platforms made it possible for him to build custom engines upwards of 1000 HP, his product was so reliable he sold them throughout Ohio and shipped many nationwide.

Thankfully he came to Tampa for the warm weather, where he can keep your engine running for years.

Jamie’s Rides:  2022 Bronco, 2016 F-150, ’98 Mustang, ’97 Mustang, ’84 TransAm, ’00 Honda Ace Tour Motorcycle, ’99 Custom Chopper and a ’66 Harley Sportster

Sean Josephs 

Sean is our Marketing Director and Customer Retention Specialist. Sean’s passion for cars staarted when he was 15 years old. At the time our owner Jonathan Longworth was 16 years old and when he used to work on his Dodge Dakota, Sean would hand Jon tools and water. Sean doesn’t touch cars at Full Tilt Automotive and Performance. He touches computers and telephones to keep in contact with owners.

Sean holds a Bachelors Degreee from the University of South Florida in Public and Cultural Communications. Where he learned how to write compelling website content, marketing and perfect the art of experiential marketing. At Full Tilt Automotive and Performance, this means he cannot touch cars.

Sean’s Rides:  2004 Solara, ’00 MK1 TT

Providing Expert & Honest Service Since 2014

Our History

Full Tilt Automotive was started in 2014 by Jonathan Longworth. He branched started this business after serving 3 years as a Lead Mechanic for Bert Smith BMW and and 5 years at Firestone Complete Auto Care. Starting Full Tilt Automotive was a perfect fit because Jonathan has always enjoyed working on all types of cars. Some shops discriminate, but whether they’re new cars, old cars, race cars, performance cars, exotics or restomods – Full Tilt Automotive loves all cars! 

Our Services

When it comes to cars, we do everything except upholstery and body work. We build cars from the ground up and we stand behind our work. Whether you need an oil change, convert drum brakes, a full engine rebuild, electrical system replacement or anything else – we can help!  

Happy Customers

“Full Tilt Automotive is by far one of the best places to take a car. My engine was repaired and now my car runs like new. There has been no return for that problem. They are now my go to place for tires and regular maintenance. Keep up the good job. Thanks!”

– Carrol M.

“I had full tilt install a complete rotating assembly, into my 1971 440 engine block including; crank bearings and crank, install rings to pistons and pistons with connecting rods to crank. Installed the camshaft and timing chain. Lubricated entire assembly. The engine ran perfect.”

– Greg D.

706 N. Wabash Ave, Lakeland, FL 33815

Tour Our Shop Today

Call us today