(Words and video by Dawn Mazi-Hovsepian) – A little over a month ago, I received a text message stating that several mutual friendswere going to collaborate on a paint scheme for a 1972 Vega nostalgia funny car. Steve Crook and Mark Stipich, co-owners of S & M Auto Body (www.sandmautobody.us) in Eastlake, Ohio, were going to apply the paint, and longtime family friend Dan DeLaney, aka Dan the Sign Man (www.dansignman.com) of Tonawanda, New York, was going to handle the layout and hand lettering for the team. Crook, Stipich and Brian Korelec presented Dan with a concept of what they wanted done, as well as their color choice for the car. DeLaney roughed out a ‘napkin sketch’ of his interpretation and received instant approval to roll with it.
(Editor’s note: The level of awesome contained in Support Your Local Sign Painter is difficult to explain. Dawn was at the shop for more than a week watching this whole thing come together and that’s just one of the reasons this video is so incredible. We see every detail, we learn about why Dan DeLaney still stands as one of the best lettering guys in the country, and we see a nice funny car body get transformed into something that goes well beyond art for us. Dawn’s drag strip videos have always been fantastic but this one vaults her into another realm. The interview sections are great, watching the car get transformed by sped up time lapse photography is amazing, and seeing the guys lay their eyes on the completed car for the first time is the big payoff. They, like us, were speechless when they first saw it. This is a window into a world that few have ever seen. We’re eternally grateful for Dawn giving us the jump on this one! – Brian)
I was so thoroughly impressed with Dan’s sketch and respect for the car’s era, that I sent a text message back to him saying, “Having a crazy idea of doing a time lapse video of you doing your thing. Other than wraps on stock cars and the like, no one has done this before.”
Within minutes of that initial message, I had pitched the idea to Lohnes and began making plans with Dan to spend a week at his shop. My only request for Dan was to not tell anyone on the team that I was going to be there to record the entire process, and that no photo progress updates were to be shared with them until the guys picked up the body. I planned on having cameras set up in the shop to capture their initial reactions to the finished piece. This was going to be uber-fun.
DeLaney went the extra mile and made a day trip to Eastlake in mid-April to help layout the design on the body. Crook and Stipich took it from there and had the body painted and delivered to Dan’s shop by May 2nd. From then on, Dan graciously allowed me to shadow him with video cameras rolling for eight days, following every methodical and detailed brush stroke from start to finish. While DeLaney worked his magic, we reminisced over the days when we looked forward to getting magazines that featured the newest rolling works of art by the hands of rock star sign painters like Tom Stratton, Kenny Youngblood, Glen Weisgerber, and Nat Quick to name a few. Each individual’s unique style fueled DeLaney’s passion and appreciation for the industry that he’s been able to make a living at for nearly 40 years. Believe it or not, for all the cars that DeLaney has lettered in that time, this was his first Vega funny car body to hand letter and it was deeply personal to him to get it right. It was a throwback to his teen years when he dreamed of owning a paint shop like Don Kirby’s in Bellflower, CA, a time when funny car bodies would be lined up on 55 gallon drums outside awaiting their own pair of magic hands.
With the exception of pinstripe details, which were expertly handled by Terry Buczak, DeLaney knocked out a stunning hand lettered tribute to an era of drag racing that is burned into the memory banks of purists far and wide. It’s more than right, Dan. It’s hitting on all eight.
Living in the buffalo area, Ive seen a lot of Dan’s work. He IS the man…
What a shame this beautiful work ended up on a Chevy!
I love the video though – that’s what a ton of crystal meth and a two hour deadline looks like!
But all due respect to a true artist who enjoys his calling and gives pleasure to others when they gaze upon his mighty works.
You can’t get craftsmanship like that with a vinyl wrap.
“You can’t get craftsmanship like that with a vinyl wrap.”
Amen! Vinyl letters too. They look too perfect because they are. The slight imperfection (or waver) of hand lettering is what gives it that cool (i.e., better) look vs. perfectly cut vinyl letters that lack that “cool” look.
Great work Dan and Dawn!
Man that was great, It’s good to see somebody keeping the ” Old School ” alive. Miss those days!!
“Old school” is Cool School!
WOULD BE A TOTAL SHAME TO WASTE THE PAINT AND SKILL ON A FORD OR DODGE OR SOME FORIEGN CRAP.
Hey Pat, I’d hate to break this news to you but under many vintage funny cars and modern ones sits a engine called a CHRYSLER HEMI or an engine based off of it.
That is true art! What an amazing talent! Vinyl has no soul.
Doesn’t matter what make of car they letter, its timeless!
The man obviously loves what he does and does a great job doing it…
Thank you Kit….livin’ my dream…..
Fantastic to see . Just love the kick and thrill from a job like this .
Absolutely Brilliant. Vinyl wrapped my car because i ran outta balls. After watching this, i’m doin it in paint…
Had to watch this video three time’s to make sure I didn’t miss anything,Dan’s artistic abilities are second to none,I hope to come back as his shop dog just to watch him work..lol Frank Mazi
You are always welcomed at my shop Frank Mazi. Front row seat and no invitation needed..I sure spent enuff time in yours watching you “work”. Hope I made you proud…..was great being involved in not only Dawn’s video but the project of adding my twist on the project for all involved…it was a blast…..”Send it !”
I am getting so sick and tired of all you brand hating MORONS out there that I may just stop checking this site.We are talking about a man’s talent and passion here and all you idiots can think of to comment on is Chevy this, Ford that, Mopar something else… If that’s your only contribution, shut the F@$# UP!
Being a striper/sign painter myself, I miss the old days when quality meant something. Dan did a fantastic job on the Vega. Props to Dawn for having the desire to document this project. And last but not least the kustom painters Steve and Mark.
Thanks BS for the article.
I totally agree with 3nine6…..besides you dummies it’s not really a Chevy – it’s a fiberglass recreation!
Awesome work Dan as usual…nice piece Dawn well done!
Great job Dawn and Dan !