Maannn! I was going through a bunch of REALLY old Rod&Custom mags and found an article about Dick Dean putting a 51 Merc on a 72 Pontiac LeMans frame! And now he's gone.........all too soon. R.I.P. Condolences to his loved ones.
Wow, the world has lost a great guy... I didn't know Dick Dean personally, but my Father and I bought a prestine 50' Merc top from him and spoke with him on several occasions when we bought our 51'. You couldn't find a nicer guy to talk to... RIP Dick Dean
Thank You Dick Dean for doing what you did in the Custom Car world. All the Best and soon we'll all be driving Chopped Customs! Ken
Met him in the early 80,s . showed a bunch of limeys round his shop. A really nice fellow ,his son also....R.I.P. Mr Dean
I feel fortunate to have had the chance to meet him and talk with hime several times. A true gentleman, as well as a craftsman, and an artist! RIP Dick Dean!
Dick was one of the few kustomizers that I trully respected, he did some amazing work over the years, and was a pleasure to deal with. He will be sorely missed. RIP Dick. Chopper
Another hard blow to the subculture world of custom auto's. Peace to family and freind's and the many fan's of the man's work.........
I met Dick and son Keith (we called him Kid Dean back then) in the 70's when they did a chop for me. We talked about the Dot Rod that he had conceived during the first gas crisis of the 70's - a Datsun pickup chassis with a 32 body! I last talked to him at the GNRS last year and he remembered that conversation, and my chop, from 30 years ago. Godspeed my friend
I hate this part of getting older, watching the masters start to leave. Cruz on Dick see ya on the main drag. Respects.
It has been a rough year with the passing of many hot rod legends. Dick was one of the best choppers there ever was. Godspeed
I remember having a "raingutter or no raingutter" debate,with him. He was so funny,the way he described his take on things. He told me he preferred removing them,unless the customer wanted them on. He was so specific with the things he considered "traditional". That's why many of his Mercs have the same details.
I want to thank all who wrote in. I'm going to copy them for my mom, so she can read each one. So you know, He went down for his afternoon nap and passed in his sleep. I was with him the night before and " of course" talked about cars and the next car show. I have done alot with my dad, but I will never know all the things he knew.
Dick was a hero in the car world, I got to meet him at a young age and he left a imperssion I'll never forget. I only wish we had more like him. This is a great loss for anyone who loves kustoms. The kustom car community has lost one of the best. He will be truly missed. My sypathy to the Dean family. Eric Sandoval SO-CAL Seed shop Pomona ca.
So glad to hear he passed peacefully in his sleep. A full and respected lifetime and pass in your sleep. Bench racing was the thing he was best at. Will be missed for sure.
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