I got this from Mrs. Franco this morning: Katie here. The passing of Dick Dean is so hard for me. I've known Dick since I was a little girl. He was a very special man and never really received the acholades that he deserved. He built for George Barris, Dean Jefferies and a couple of others. He chopped my Dad's merc when I was a kid and laid out the scallops on it too. I found some websites for you in case you wanted to put anything on the HAMB and needed some info on him. Thanks Katie http://www.hotrodhotline.com/feature/special/ddean/ http://www.1966batmobile.com/ddean.htm http://www.tv.com/monster-garage/old-school-54-chevy/episode/310468/summary.html
Another of the old masters gone. I am really sorry to hear that as he was definitely one of my heros, alot because he did some really great work and also as was stated he really was an unsung hero without the accolades he should have recieved. RIP Dick.
One of my favorite customizers ever. Master of the chassis swap. RIP Dick, your cars will live on forever. Pat.
Dick was one of the great one and personally was a giver of friendship and knowlege. Dick and Gene Winfield have always been the top of my list. I'll find my Joy in the memories, because there are no replacements for Men like Dick Dean Jim Arnold
Dick was the best of his time. Sorry to read of his passing. I always wanted my own Silver Bullet Jet!
This just..Giant loss...All time great....Dick Dean was the most masterful merc builder ever.Even with all the magazine exposure ,I always felt there could never be enough credit givin to him. He was like the Beatles when it came to chopping mercs!Along the way there hedto be at least 20 of em that you thought were perfect even if there were 20 that ya didnt like!And I dont think I ever saw one that didnt look good!R.I,P.!
Is that the guy from here in the San Fernando Valley? Or am I thinking of someone else? Either way, RIP
I saved alot of magazine articles over the years of Dick showing us mortals how it's done. R.I.P.Mr Dean.
"Dick Dean the choppin king!".......damn this sucks,he's one guy I really wanted to meet.Well he's in great company now........R.I.P. Mr.Dean
Guys like this had so much influence on so many of us growing up. As a kid I had no idea who built the Batmobile or the Green Hornet car but they were some of the initial custom car influences on many of us. Such a bummer so many of these guys whose influence simply can not ever be measured are leaving us. Dick Dean being among the top of any list.
whatta drag...my mom lives up there and I always told myself I was gonna stop by his shop and check it out but didn't...the hobby loses another great one...been a tough year or so for the hobby...Wally Parks, Dick Dean, Little John, Boyd, and my friend John Pickle just to name a few...
Got to meet him at Paso in 99. Sat with us on the steps of the Paso inn, spoke about and answered questions on old customs and who had built what for others that took the credit. When will someone do a book on him and the vast amount of custom work he performed.
we grew up getting the car bug from these guys...how much do we owe them????? When will they get the True Credit ? Got to be a Museum or something to Preserve the genius. Got to be one heck of a reunion going on up there !
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