R.I.P. I too never knew who did the Bat Mobile or the Monkee's GTO, but loved them just the same. Godspeed
Holy shit! I haven't been on in a while so i missed this thread.....Man what a bummer! I always said that when i got a Merc, I would like to have Dick chop it... This really sucks!
Talked to his son online somewhere else,and this has some info about a cruise for Dick Dean.. I guess the word is out and snowballing all over the net now. Were having a Final Cruise for him on Aug. 2nd here in Hemet. Its Kool to see all the things people are saying about my Pops. Glad to hear from folks that know of his work and how Kustomizing wouldnt be the same with out some of his tricks of the trade. - Johnny Dean
That is so sad. Rest in peace friend. Someone will have a pretty cool Custom up there. I gotta tell a quick story about Dick. I met him in Paso Robles in 1999. I had driven there in my chopped and sectioned '51 Ford. Among other troubles - the hood flew open not once, but twice. The second time caving in the roof on top of my head with the peaked and leaded old hood. George Barris brought two guys up to me and told me that they wanted to fix my roof if it was OK, I knew George from meeting him over the years but not the other two, though I recognized the short fellow from somewhere. I looked at him a little funny, then he introduced them as Dick Dean and Bill Hines. Upon hearing the names, I said heck yes. Dick took off his shoes, got on his back in the car and proceeded to kick out the roof guided by Bill who told him just where to kick. Absolutely awesome. the three of them were so gracious and just absolutely gentlemen in every way. I was so blown away that those men would even be concerned about my car or me. I think I have pictures somewhere, will post when I find 'em. I had called him later when I found a Crosley Hot Shot that he had owned at one time just to verify that he had built and raced it - same deal - like he had known me forever - happy to help in any way he could. Dick will always be snapshotted in my mind in the car, in white socks kicking the heck outta my roof, and being an all around wonderful and awesome person. Mr. Dean - you will be missed.
that is so sad. another great tallent lost. a message to all. pay attention to the older guys, be it car guys, wwII and all vets, black smiths, or garbage men, they all have a full life time of knowledge, and a lot of good stories. my prayers are with his family. and my hope is to the future of customizers and hot rodders. godspeed.
Rick, and All, I want you all to know how much your thoughts mean to his family. We're reading each and every comment. I really appreciate reading the stories and annecdotes, but even the simple expressions of condolences are touching. I'm his oldest kid, Kurt. He and Mom raised six of us - and your sense of Dad's humor and kindness is right on. We had some very cool custom toys growing up -not to mention getting to watch him build cars. He once told me that the 60s were his favorite decade, which may surprise many of you who know him for his chops. He'd been customizing for so long that it's hard to paint him into just one frame. I remember him skinning dragsters in the garage - beautiful aluminum sculptures to reduce wind drag. Then he did cars with/for Barris and Jeffries for TV and movies. He got into shortening VW pans and adding fiberglass dune buggy bodies - remember the Myers Manx? At the end of the decade he designed his own car - the gull winged Shalako. That car made the cover of seven national car magazines and a shot in Playboy. In the early 70s he expanded the Shalako line and experimented with the Top Cat and Dot Rod. He hit the big leagues for a little while designing the Bricklin and a little-known car called the Titan. My brother Keith, "Kid Dean" (the one who got the talent to customize cars) should fill in the details from this point. Keith worked with Dad for many, many years and took over his Hemet shop when Dad retired. It's called South End Customs, in honor of my Dad's first shop in Wyandotte, Michigan (south of Detroit). I hope to meet you on August 2 at the Tribute. I added a portrait that Tom Daniel did of my dad in 1968. I've gotta ask Tom about how that came about. I think it's my favorite of him.
very sad to hear about the legend dick dean fortunately i have a piece of his legacy to live on with me my 1973 shala-vette
Hi Keith,so sorry to hear about your dad, I was at his retirerment party and have to say that you and your family are great people, My wife and I flew there from texas.just to meet all of you. It will always be one of the best birthday presants I ever had. I wrote to your dad for years. I couldnt believe he was so real,and down to earth when i finally got to meet him. He always was bragging about you and what your working on, we will praying for you all pete and wanda
Thank you all for the Great words and memories. Some of you may have known him as Dick Dean, The Sultan of Chop, The Ghost Builder, One of the Greats in Kustomizing or Mr. Dean, the name list goes on and on .... I just knew him as "DAD". His favorite song was "My Way" sung by Frank Sinatra because that's how he lived and that's how he died .... by his own rules! You gave me 40 years of Fun Times and Hard Lessons .... But Most of all you made me Proud to say "I'm Johnny Dean!" Love Ya' and Miss Ya' Pop!
Hi, my name is Jennifer Day and I'm Dick Dean's daugher. To Bad Bob, Jammysangle is my sister's name on this sight although her real name is Kim. Unfortunately, she passed away in March. Her passing broke my dad's heart, but I find comfort in knowing they are together again in the Kingdom of Heaven. I want to thank you all for your kind words. My mom and I are reading these messages and it warms our hearts knowing my dad was beloved by so many people. My mom and dad would have been married 54 years this November. As one of my brothers already posted, they had 6 children - 4 boys and 2 girls. Although my mom misses him terribly, she finds comfort in reading all of these wonderful stories, so keep them coming! Thanks again.
My name is Elizabeth Herrington, Dick Dean's granddaughter. Reading all of these stories from everyone on here has really touched me. My mother passed away in March, and now I know that her and grandpa are up in heaven joking around just like they did here on earth all the time. Grandpa Dean was always a guiding light in my life and I know my whole family is going to miss him.
oh crap i just saw this dammit another one gone impossible to replace, we are losing all these great minds who think so far out of the box. some people don't like my cars because they are imports but i follow the same mind set as these guys and do my own thing,never following any trends or doing something because others do. i followed his work and i was a huge fan. and am still a huge fan of all these older guys. i think it would make him happy to know young guys were inspired by him to do things the way they wanted and not play follow the leader,like so many do today.
It's tough to lose a great icon of our Hot Rod heritage. It is sad to know that his creative mind has been laid to rest here on earth and that we won't get to see his next great creation. Yet, here is man that I did not know personally but I do know of his talent and from many of the post, I've learned of his wit, humor and gracious kindness to others. Like most of us, we grew up with Mr. Dean's creations on TV/movies, at car shows and in many Hot Rodding magazines all these years. He was graced with a God given talent and Mr. Dean shared his visions with us all. And through his creations he made us smile, gasp, laugh and he gave us plenty of inspiration just to sit back and look at what he did and be in awe. I can't help but think that God used Mr. Dean to brighten our world and to inspire us to follow our dreams and to use our own talents to the best of our ability. What I said before, "that we won't get to see his next great creation", scratch that. From what I've seen here on the HAMB and from others in the Hot Rodding industry whether they be Illustrators, Painters, Strippers, Body Men, Welders, Fabricators, Mechanics, Web Designers, Hot Rodding Publications and the list goes on. Mr. Dean's next great creation is safely ingrained in all that have gazed upon his work or where fortunate to have known him. He lives on in the future generations of Hot Rodders to create beyond "normal" boundaries. I've seen that kind of talent, creativeness and willingness to share here on the HAMB and Hot Rodding in general. It's great to see! Thank you Mr. Dean for wonderful childhood memories and inspiration. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us. I can only imagine that a man of his talents was was pulled away from his family more than once to meet his work commitments. God Bless
Hey Johnny,I going to see if some of my boys can make it out to Hemet,but if we can't,we're going to do something in his memory soon man...PM me and I'll see how the idea sits with you and your family...You're dad along with Barris,Winfield,Hines,and even my grandfather's work with cars is what inspired me and got me hooked on old american steel...Customs,Hot Rods,and everything in between man...Your family has one hell of a history,and it would be awesome to hear some of the stories you all have to tell....Hope to hear from you soon Johnny..
Our hearts go out to all of your family right now. He was definitely one of the GREATS and he's left a legacy that you can be so inspired by and proud of. He was looked up by so many and paved the way for so many of the builders of today. He's legendary. My dad was so saddened by the news of his passing. He was at the shop grinding a car when he got the call and he decided to wrap it up for the day when he heard the news. Today I picked him up for breakfast and he was telling me about some of the customs back in the day that the Dick Dean created and some of his favorites. He also shared some great stories....they both happen to be at Starbirds Hall of Fame Museum and were invited to a yacht for a dinner. My dad and Frank Jr. (who normally isn't a big drinker) and Dick Dean all sat together and Dick Dean proceeded to help get JR. plastered...and they all shared some good laughs & had a really great time on that trip. On another trip when they both happen to travel to Pigeon Forge TN at the same time and met up they once again shared laughs and joked around at that show. My fathers says he deems it an honor to have known him over the years and been in the Hall of Fames with him. He was a great man to all he came in contact with and was an innovative builder who will be remembered and respected by many for years to come. Sincere Regards, Frank De Rosa & Family
You are one lucky SOB you got to have both Dick Dean AND Bill Hines help you. I'm still amazed that Bill is still going at his age. he wears me out when he talks about how much work he still does.
You don't see cool cars like that on TV these days. They're all computer generated! I would love to see a picture of the "Dot Rod". Thanks for the memories!
wow! 3 members of the family on this thread! thats wonderful! Mr. dean was a true hero, and when he talked my ear off on the phone, i was just blown away! he didn't need to talk to this young hayseed to that extent, but did it gladly, twice! even sent an Xmas card to me that winter! thats is true character showing right there~! GOD BLESS to your family and all his friends!
Wow I am bummed to say I never got the privilege of meeting Mr. Dean but he definitely helped push me in this direction I hated the Monkees loved tha car and couldnt get enough of Adam Wests Batmobile watching the reruns every summer with my grandpa at their house. I am really glad to have seen him and Gene and Bill and the rest on that monster garage I have had it on my DVR since and watch it all the time. Thanks Jesse for making that happen and Thanks Mr. Dean you will be missed!
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