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Cal-look/High Performance => Cal-look => Topic started by: Rick Meredith on January 20, 2008, 20:04:47 pm



Title: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 20, 2008, 20:04:47 pm
Thanks to Stephan and Brian Plummer we  finally have a picture of Mark Dean's '67.

For me personally, this car was one of the biggest influences in how I perceive Cal-Look. It was built in the late '70s. The color was a Datsun/Nissan color but I can't remember the name of it. Everything on the car was color coded. It looked like the whole car was dipped in a vat of paint.

Stephan sent me 2 scans of the car from the original magazine article. I did the best I could to stitch the the scans together but there is obviously a section missing. I also tweaked the color to match what I remember the color to be.l


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: speedwell on January 20, 2008, 20:18:18 pm
cool car never seen before   :o mark was in the dkk , but no stickers on the windows ???


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 20, 2008, 20:22:16 pm
Such a COOL car! You know, I couldn't sleep this morning; so I decided to go through some French magazines I bought 25 years ago, and scan a few pictures. I will post one picture every day.

Here is the first picture. It was published in "Rod et Custom Magazine" back in August 1983. The article was about Bug-In 30. I have no idea who the owner might be, but I love the stance of that car, with fat slicks in the back.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 20, 2008, 20:22:54 pm
cool car never seen before   :o mark was in the dkk , but no stickers on the windows ???

Yes.. not sure why there are no stickers. This might have been taken after he sold it.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: beetletom on January 20, 2008, 20:30:44 pm
whoa i love it!!!!

looks like a colour coded 80's looker

way ahead of its time then ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Bill Schwimmer on January 20, 2008, 20:47:53 pm
Thanks Stephan, Rick and Brian,
  That photo was taken after it left Mark's hands, when Mark built it there were no bumpers,no T bars, nothing. I cannot remember if John Dobson  ( 1st owner after Mark D.) or Dave Zink who bought it from John added the bumpers. The photos probably came from Eric Geisert who was good friends w/ Dave Z.  I was pretty good friends w/ John D. & I worked on it a few times. The assembly & finish on it were awesome. My brother Randy repainted the nose when Dave Z. had it to clear up a bit of road rash. Dave Z. later traded it for a 356 cab sometime in the mid 80's I think it ended up in the San Diego area & I have not seen it since.  It took me a while to remember the plate on it  FASNLOW I am pretty sure thats what it was. Maybe Brian or Rick would verify.  Thanks for the memories    Bill


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 20, 2008, 20:59:45 pm
[...] The photos probably came from Eric Geisert who was good friends w/ Dave Z.  [...]

Actually, the pics were taken by Pat Behar, a French photographer. He went to become a famous motorsport photographer back in the '80s and '90s. (He even received a highly-regarded "Best Motorsport Picture of the Year" award for one of his Formula 1 pictures). He now works for the FIA and is in charge of Press Credentials at Formula 1 races.

By the way, thanks for your help with the "half pictures", Rick!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 20, 2008, 21:15:45 pm
Thanks Stephan, Rick and Brian,
  That photo was taken after it left Mark's hands, when Mark built it there were no bumpers,no T bars, nothing. I cannot remember if John Dobson  ( 1st owner after Mark D.) or Dave Zink who bought it from John added the bumpers. The photos probably came from Eric Geisert who was good friends w/ Dave Z.  I was pretty good friends w/ John D. & I worked on it a few times. The assembly & finish on it were awesome. My brother Randy repainted the nose when Dave Z. had it to clear up a bit of road rash. Dave Z. later traded it for a 356 cab sometime in the mid 80's I think it ended up in the San Diego area & I have not seen it since.  It took me a while to remember the plate on it  FASNLOW I am pretty sure thats what it was. Maybe Brian or Rick would verify.  Thanks for the memories    Bill

FASNLOW sounds right.

Hey Bill... remember the night we drove over to John's in my '67. We were working on the car late into the night. For some reason I can't remember I wasn't drinking. We got into a beer fight soaking each other down with beer. I remember driving first to your place to drop you off then home at like 2 in the morning soaked in beer and fearing that I was gonna get pulled over soaked in beer, totally sober and having to talk my way out of a DUI.  ;D ;D ;D

"No Officer I haven't had any beer"
"Yes I realize I'm soaked in beer."
"No I haven't had anything to drink."
"I'm sure Officer."

 ;D ;D ;D ;D


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 20, 2008, 21:16:24 pm
[...] The photos probably came from Eric Geisert who was good friends w/ Dave Z.  [...]

Actually, the pics were taken by Pat Behar, a French photographer. He went to become a famous motorsport photographer back in the '80s and '90s. (He even received a highly-regarded "Best Motorsport Picture of the Year" award for one of his Formula 1 pictures). He now works for the FIA and is in charge of Press Credentials at Formula 1 races.

By the way, thanks for your help with the "half pictures", Rick!

Anytime Stephan!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: nicolas on January 20, 2008, 21:29:41 pm
wauw, this car is awsome.
my guess it is right there with Bill's late looker and Dumper. am i close? there is something about making such a car that seems so right to me. i especially like this treatment on late models, but this 67 looks really good as well. in a way it is the 'most single colour' you can do on a callook, for me at least. more and you end up with some 80's custom look. and just not too much to see it is still business. if i could own a bug and restore it i hope it would come out like this one. any idea about engine specs? races?

thanks

this made my day.

 ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: danny gabbard on January 20, 2008, 21:43:39 pm
hey rick and bill,I can see the beer drinking. but the working? come on tell the real story.ha. HA. hope every thing is good . by fo now


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Bill Schwimmer on January 20, 2008, 21:53:03 pm
Thanks Stephan, Rick and Brian,
  That photo was taken after it left Mark's hands, when Mark built it there were no bumpers,no T bars, nothing. I cannot remember if John Dobson  ( 1st owner after Mark D.) or Dave Zink who bought it from John added the bumpers. The photos probably came from Eric Geisert who was good friends w/ Dave Z.  I was pretty good friends w/ John D. & I worked on it a few times. The assembly & finish on it were awesome. My brother Randy repainted the nose when Dave Z. had it to clear up a bit of road rash. Dave Z. later traded it for a 356 cab sometime in the mid 80's I think it ended up in the San Diego area & I have not seen it since.  It took me a while to remember the plate on it  FASNLOW I am pretty sure thats what it was. Maybe Brian or Rick would verify.  Thanks for the memories    Bill

FASNLOW sounds right.

  I remember another time @ John's house we were drinking a bunch o beer & I must have fallen asleep or something & I woke up the next morning I did'nt quite remember where I was but there was a Doberman Pinscher standing on my chest.  that was a little interesting.

Hey Bill... remember the night we drove over to John's in my '67. We were working on the car late into the night. For some reason I can't remember I wasn't drinking. We got into a beer fight soaking each other down with beer. I remember driving first to your place to drop you off then home at like 2 in the morning soaked in beer and fearing that I was gonna get pulled over soaked in beer, totally sober and having to talk my way out of a DUI.  ;D ;D ;D

"No Officer I haven't had any beer"
"Yes I realize I'm soaked in beer."
"No I haven't had anything to drink."
"I'm sure Officer."

 ;D ;D ;D ;D


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: LuftsickTero on January 20, 2008, 22:22:32 pm
Thanks to Stephan and Brian Plummer we  finally have a picture of Mark Dean's '67.

That is super nice, I like the stance from that period too.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: DKKBRIAN on January 21, 2008, 00:14:53 am
GOOD JOB RICK! YOUR RIGHT BILL. JOHN AND I INSTALLED THE BUMPERS AT MY DADS SHOP. HE WAS REALLY SCARED CUTTING FOR THE BRACKETS. LOTS OF GREAT MEMORIES IN THAT CAR. THAT CAR WAS BUILT VERY SOLID AND FAST FOR THE TIME. THANKS AGAIN STEPHAN AND RICK! ANY MORE PICS???


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 21, 2008, 00:32:56 am
Such a COOL car! You know, I couldn't sleep this morning; so I decided to go through some French magazines I bought 25 years ago, and scan a few pictures. I will post one picture every day.

Here is the first picture. It was published in "Rod et Custom Magazine" back in August 1983. The article was about Bug-In 30. I have no idea who the owner might be, but I love the stance of that car, with fat slicks in the back.

Looks like the fenders have been widen to me.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Jon on January 21, 2008, 14:18:48 pm
Wow thats almost what I would call a "missing link" between the early seventies lookers, and the pastel lookers of the eighties...  this style is coming back sometime in the future.
I have to say it makes me feel like a 15 year old again ;-)

It looks NICE!!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 21, 2008, 17:55:34 pm
Picture of the week #2: Joe Hullett’s Ghia at Orange County International Raceway. Check out the license plate...
From a Special Issue of Rod et Custom, dated 1984.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: speedwell on January 21, 2008, 18:01:54 pm
cool car  8)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 22, 2008, 17:38:38 pm
Picture of the week #3: Todd Riley's '57 Oval. Car was featured in a special issue of Nitro back in '85, but I've never seen it anywhere else. This was my favorite VW at the time - I like the combination of Porsche hubcaps, dechromed body, etc. Ran 14s with a 1776cc.



Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 23, 2008, 17:00:34 pm
Lisa Maxwell's '53 Split. She belonged to DKK. Engine was a 1776 with 42DCNFs and dual Fourtuned muffler.
Picture from Rod et Custom, June '82. Not sure where the picture was taken; but the car show featured other cars, including pick up trucks and low riders! Maybe Bill or Rick will know...


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 23, 2008, 17:40:01 pm
Lisa Maxwell's '53 Split. She belonged to DKK. Engine was a 1776 with 42DCNFs and dual Fourtuned muffler.
Picture from Rod et Custom, June '82. Not sure where the picture was taken; but the car show featured other cars, including pick up trucks and low riders! Maybe Bill or Rick will know...

I THINK it was a show we did in Southgate. Lots of low rider clubs and we were the only VW club. We were a little nervous about winning Most Rep Club.  ;)

That may be An early incarnation of Bill's late model in the background.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: bathing ape on January 23, 2008, 17:42:16 pm
Picture of the week #3: Todd Riley's '57 Oval. Car was featured in a special issue of Nitro back in '85, but I've never seen it anywhere else. This was my favorite VW at the time - I like the combination of Porsche hubcaps, dechromed body, etc. Ran 14s with a 1776cc.


also in colin burnhams book aircooled vws ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Jim Ratto on January 23, 2008, 18:03:47 pm
Lisa Maxwell's '53 Split. She belonged to DKK. Engine was a 1776 with 42DCNFs and dual Fourtuned muffler.
Picture from Rod et Custom, June '82. Not sure where the picture was taken; but the car show featured other cars, including pick up trucks and low riders! Maybe Bill or Rick will know...

from the pics it looks like there were tons of people, cars, every day was sunny, cars gleaming....  was everyday a car show? ;D


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 23, 2008, 18:09:33 pm
I THINK it was a show we did in Southgate. Lots of low rider clubs and we were the only VW club. We were a little nervous about winning Most Rep Club.  ;)

That may be An early incarnation of Bill's late model in the background.
Yes, that's Bill's old '70 Bug in the background and it looks like Steve Wilkerson's '58 next to it.

also in colin burnhams book aircooled vws ;)
I forgot about that one! Same pictures, by Jacky Morel, the man behind Super VW Mag.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 23, 2008, 18:19:18 pm
I THINK it was a show we did in Southgate. Lots of low rider clubs and we were the only VW club. We were a little nervous about winning Most Rep Club.  ;)

That may be An early incarnation of Bill's late model in the background.
Yes, that's Bill's old '70 Bug in the background and it looks like Steve Wilkerson's '58 next to it.



It was thinking that it might be Tod Fuller's daily driver as it was a more pale blue than Steve's car but it could be either.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: team97 on January 23, 2008, 18:57:44 pm
I THINK it was a show we did in Southgate. Lots of low rider clubs and we were the only VW club. We were a little nervous about winning Most Rep Club.  ;)

That may be An early incarnation of Bill's late model in the background.
Yes, that's Bill's old '70 Bug in the background and it looks like Steve Wilkerson's '58 next to it.



Rick the Southgate show was the Azalea Festival, from what I remember it was held in a park wasn't it? Glenn

It was thinking that it might be Tod Fuller's daily driver as it was a more pale blue than Steve's car but it could be either.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 23, 2008, 19:00:50 pm
Yes you're right but I see to remember some large buildings next to the park. Maybe a High School??


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: speedwell on January 23, 2008, 22:20:58 pm
Lisa Maxwell's '53 Split. She belonged to DKK. Engine was a 1776 with 42DCNFs and dual Fourtuned muffler.
Picture from Rod et Custom, June '82. Not sure where the picture was taken; but the car show featured other cars, including pick up trucks and low riders! Maybe Bill or Rick will know...
cool picture of rainbow 53 stephan  ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Bill Schwimmer on January 24, 2008, 01:00:06 am
I am pretty sure that is the Azalea Fest. I think that is Steve's car next to mine.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Lemonade on January 24, 2008, 07:31:27 am
Didn't Mark's car have polished Empi  5-spokes before the Porsche alloys? ???

Kevan


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 24, 2008, 17:18:52 pm
From Nitro (Special VW Issue, 1985), Sacramento Bugorama 12. I always loved the feel of this picture (by Jacky Morel), which also appeared in Colin Burnham's book. Check out the lettering in the back. I had no idea who Dyno Don was at the time and didn't know who the owner of the car was either.
When I recently looked at the license plate, it certainly seemed familiar. Sure enough, it's the same plate as Dominick Luppino's current 10-second street car. Turns out the blue car in the first pic is Dom's 2nd Dragon Slayer, a '67 that ran 11s and was featured in VWTrends in 1985.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 24, 2008, 18:02:03 pm
Didn't Mark's car have polished Empi  5-spokes before the Porsche alloys? ???

Kevan

I only saw it with the Alloys on it but it was pretty much in it's final form then.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 25, 2008, 16:48:51 pm
Another pic for the DKK guys... That's Dan Meiser's [spelling?] late-model Bug, which belonged to DKK. Pic is taken from Rod et Custom Magazine (June 1982). This was the very first "real" article about the California Look in France. It explained how to build such a car - this is where it all started for me. I absolutely love this car & may build a tribute some day.
All cars featured in the 2-page article belonged to DKK. Note Low Riders in the background.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: speedwell on January 25, 2008, 16:53:40 pm
pm send steph  ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 25, 2008, 19:03:35 pm
Another pic for the DKK guys... That's Dan Meiser's [spelling?] late-model Bug, which belonged to DKK. Pic is taken from Rod et Custom Magazine (June 1982). This was the very first "real" article about the California Look in France. It explained how to build such a car - this is where it all started for me. I absolutely love this car & may build a tribute some day.
All cars featured in the 2-page article belonged to DKK. Note Low Riders in the background.

I believe his last name was Mazur, Heck of a guy and a clean ride.

The blue car next to him belonged to Scott... I can't remember his last name.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Bill Schwimmer on January 26, 2008, 05:58:05 am
Another pic for the DKK guys... That's Dan Meiser's [spelling?] late-model Bug, which belonged to DKK. Pic is taken from Rod et Custom Magazine (June 1982). This was the very first "real" article about the California Look in France. It explained how to build such a car - this is where it all started for me. I absolutely love this car & may build a tribute some day.
All cars featured in the 2-page article belonged to DKK. Note Low Riders in the background.

I believe his last name was Mazur, Heck of a guy and a clean ride.

The blue car next to him belonged to Scott... I can't remember his last name.
I think it was Scott Howard ...


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 26, 2008, 18:38:02 pm
I think VWTrends ran a feature on these cars back around 1984, but - if memory serves my right - did not use this picture. It appeared in Nitro (Special VW issue) in 1985. Fashion was, uh, different...


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: John Rayburn on January 26, 2008, 20:14:45 pm
Didn't Mark's car have polished Empi  5-spokes before the Porsche alloys? ???

Kevan
                             Is that" Long Beach Autohouse" Mark? I used to visit with him all the time and talk EMPI pervert stuff. His orange 66 had my friend's EMPI 5's on it, but they were sandblasted with a polished lip. Mark used to have these binoculars that he'd watch the girls across the street with at the jet wash. What ever happened to the car?


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Bill Schwimmer on January 26, 2008, 23:07:46 pm
Didn't Mark's car have polished Empi  5-spokes before the Porsche alloys? ???

Kevan
                             Is that" Long Beach Autohouse" Mark? I used to visit with him all the time and talk EMPI pervert stuff. His orange 66 had my friend's EMPI 5's on it, but they were sandblasted with a polished lip. Mark used to have these binoculars that he'd watch the girls across the street with at the jet wash. What ever happened to the car?
That was Mark Kessinich sp?  also known as Fred have'nt seen him or the car for years  (decades). I am pretty sure  Mark Dean worked @ Street Scene in Anaheim.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 26, 2008, 23:24:29 pm
Didn't Mark's car have polished Empi  5-spokes before the Porsche alloys? ???

Kevan
                             Is that" Long Beach Autohouse" Mark? I used to visit with him all the time and talk EMPI pervert stuff. His orange 66 had my friend's EMPI 5's on it, but they were sandblasted with a polished lip. Mark used to have these binoculars that he'd watch the girls across the street with at the jet wash. What ever happened to the car?
That was Mark Kessinich sp?  also known as Fred have'nt seen him or the car for years  (decades). I am pretty sure  Mark Dean worked @ Street Scene in Anaheim.

Right on both counts. Mark Dean was one of 2 contacts made that got me interested in DKK. the other was a flyer left under my wiper at Camelot.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Lemonade on January 27, 2008, 00:14:42 am
That was Mark Kessinich sp?  also known as Fred have'nt seen him or the car for years  (decades). 

Frickin' Fred Flinstone!!! :P :P


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: John Rayburn on January 27, 2008, 02:44:40 am
It would be neat to see him again. I went to Long Beach State at that time and would always go across the street to hang out. He was friends with Ray Zimmerman, whom I went to high school with. He was a sqareback guy.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 27, 2008, 17:57:29 pm
Mike Mabbe's [spelling?] turbo Ghia called "Street Sweeper". From Rod et Custom (Special issue), 1984.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: speedwell on January 27, 2008, 22:31:51 pm
is it the engine of this one ???


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on January 28, 2008, 01:08:53 am
That was Mark Kessinich sp?  also known as Fred have'nt seen him or the car for years  (decades). 

Frickin' Fred Flinstone!!! :P :P

Bowling with Bedrock Barney  ;) ;) ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 28, 2008, 16:45:35 pm
Keith Dean's chopped '66 Squareback. (From Rod et Custom, around '83-84)
Not 100% Cal Look but very nicely done!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 29, 2008, 18:16:37 pm
Bug-In 29, 1982. (From Rod et Custom, 1983)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 30, 2008, 17:41:24 pm
Early '80s Bug-In. (From Auto Loisirs, 1981 or 1982)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Ivan on January 30, 2008, 17:47:04 pm
in 1985. Fashion was, uh, different...

What club were these guys in?

Don't tell me...




Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 30, 2008, 17:47:58 pm
Early '80s Bug-In. (From Rod et Custom, Special Issue, 1984)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: speedwell on January 30, 2008, 18:37:59 pm
I think VWTrends ran a feature on these cars back around 1984, but - if memory serves my right - did not use this picture. It appeared in Nitro (Special VW issue) in 1985. Fashion was, uh, different...
the report WILL FOLLOW  ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Carlos De Alba on January 30, 2008, 18:43:45 pm
hey!!  that is ratto wearing a dress..............  :o


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: team97 on January 30, 2008, 18:49:31 pm
hey!!  that is ratto wearing a dress..............  :o

It's a kilt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: speedwell on January 30, 2008, 19:40:29 pm
I think VWTrends ran a feature on these cars back around 1984, but - if memory serves my right - did not use this picture. It appeared in Nitro (Special VW issue) in 1985. Fashion was, uh, different...
the report WILL FOLLOW  ;)
here we go  ;D
that must be a mania of scanning all books  ;D ;D


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: speedwell on January 30, 2008, 19:42:16 pm
 ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: danny gabbard on January 31, 2008, 02:38:55 am
hey is that the billsmo car


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: WCB Hitler's Hot Rod on January 31, 2008, 05:23:50 am
Mike Mabbe's [spelling?] turbo Ghia called "Street Sweeper". From Rod et Custom (Special issue), 1984.
I could have sworn it read "Street Cleaner" on Mike Mabe's car. I will have to check again. Might start to be loosing it! :-\


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: danny gabbard on January 31, 2008, 05:33:40 am
your right steve it did say that,so more happy ending shower's. your not goin blind


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 31, 2008, 07:05:52 am
I'm sure the UK, Sweden and most European countries have had their share of cars that made some waves during the early days of the (European) California Look craze.
Over in France, this was the car that inspired a lot of the enthusiasts: Christian Tahon's '71 sedan. He worked at Rod et Custom Magazine and his car appeared in the magazine in 1983.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on January 31, 2008, 07:09:22 am
Finally, Bruno Courbon's timeless 23-Window Bus, built around 1986 - one of the first "Cal Look Buses" in France.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on October 19, 2011, 08:02:29 am
Thanks to Stephan and Brian Plummer we  finally have a picture of Mark Dean's '67.

For me personally, this car was one of the biggest influences in how I perceive Cal-Look. It was built in the late '70s. The color was a Datsun/Nissan color but I can't remember the name of it. Everything on the car was color coded. It looked like the whole car was dipped in a vat of paint.

Stephan sent me 2 scans of the car from the original magazine article. I did the best I could to stitch the the scans together but there is obviously a section missing. I also tweaked the color to match what I remember the color to be.
[attachment=1]

Wow! I am brand-new to the forum and breakin’ the rules already with my first post! I bumped this dusty, old thread because it seemed like a good place for my introduction and I think maybe I can add some worthwhile info on the details and history of my car. I gotta get this written down before I forget . . . I’m not getting any younger!  :-[ Lol!

First of, a big thanks Rick fer starting this thread and for posting the scan of that pic from the magazine . . . I have never seen it before joining The Cal-Look Lounge! It blows me away you remember it so well! And thanks to everyone for the positive complements on the car I built.

I happened to find the forum last weekend, and since then, I’ve been doin’ some reminiscing about my cars and the ol’ days . . . GOOD TIMES fer sure!
 I dug out a bunch of my old photos and memorabilia, and if ya don’t mind, I’ll share them here. I can tell ya all the background on the ‘67 and my recollections of the Cal-look scene from the mid-seventies to the early-eighties as it pertained to my experiences with this car . . . at various times, two stroker-engines, two paint jobs, two interiors, two VW clubs, and a whole lotta fun! I’m lookin’ forward to hangin’ out with you folks and I’ll get some photos posted after I get them scanned.

[attachment=2]



Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: LuftsickTero on October 19, 2011, 12:11:36 pm
For me personally, this car was one of the biggest influences in how I perceive Cal-Look. It was built in the late '70s. The color was a Datsun/Nissan color but I can't remember the name of it. Everything on the car was color coded. It looked like the whole car was dipped in a vat of paint.

Welcome to the forum, your '67 is among my favourite Cal Lookers and so far I've only seen the picture in the first page. Looking forward in seeing/learning more 8)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: speedwell on October 19, 2011, 14:23:13 pm
welcome to the lounge , enjoy the place ,

fabs  ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on October 19, 2011, 17:26:42 pm
Hi Mark! I'm a huge fan of your car.
See you at Nick's Burgers on the 5th? Bring your photos!
:)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on October 19, 2011, 17:50:55 pm
MARK!! How the heck are you!!

PM Sent!!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Dan Mazur on October 19, 2011, 18:25:10 pm
Another pic for the DKK guys... That's Dan Meiser's [spelling?] late-model Bug, which belonged to DKK. Pic is taken from Rod et Custom Magazine (June 1982). This was the very first "real" article about the California Look in France. It explained how to build such a car - this is where it all started for me. I absolutely love this car & may build a tribute some day.
All cars featured in the 2-page article belonged to DKK. Note Low Riders in the background.

Thank you Stephan!!

And thank you Rick for remembering my last name!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Nico86 on October 20, 2011, 00:25:51 am
Welcome to The Lounge Mark  ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rennsurfer on October 20, 2011, 02:42:01 am
Welcome to The Lounge, Mark. Somewhere in my photo albums... I have a picture of your '67 and my orange '66 when we showed our cars at a VW event (Bug-In?) from the early eighties. Good to see you on here.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: DKK Ted on October 20, 2011, 09:27:02 am
Welcome Mark to the Lounge.

Ted


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: DKK Ted on October 24, 2011, 01:27:46 am
Finally, Bruno Courbon's timeless 23-Window Bus, built around 1986 - one of the first "Cal Look Buses" in France.
Who said Buses can't be Cal-Look, very clean bus. Any more pics of it, and the inside?

Ted


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on October 25, 2011, 08:16:32 am
Thanks guys, for the warm welcome . . . you’re awesome!

Somewhere in my photo albums... I have a picture of your '67 and my orange '66 when we showed our cars at a VW event (Bug-In?) from the early eighties. 
If ya ever run across it Mark, I'd love to see it!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on October 25, 2011, 09:30:04 am
I’m going to start at  the beginning for the story on my ‘67 . . .
A short time after the Feb. ‘75 Hot VWs  “Cal Look” article hit the stands, my brother, John, taught me how to drive a four-speed in his nearly-new Beetle.  That was before I had a learners permit and his car was not yet DUMPER, but just another ‘73 Super Beetle. It was that early driving experience combined with the magazine article that affected me so profoundly . . . I was hooked and I HAD to have my own VW.
In December 1977, after looking at several cars, I bought an oval sunroof that was a stillborn cal-look project. It had no engine, so I decided to take care of that first. John and Jon Chabot helped me build a stroker . . . a 76mm crank, N.P.R. 90mm pistons (1934cc) stock d/p heads topped with 48IDAs on short manifolds and a single Quiet-pack muffler. I would eventually find that my engine made enough power to break stock transaxles at will, but since the oval-window needed a bunch more work, I was unable to try it out.
 That was about to change. Early in 1978, my brother offered to help a co-worker. The guy had a Bug with a bad engine . . . spun rod bearing. They broght the car to John’s house, pulled the engine out and disassembled it, then the car sat in the driveway. It took only a month or two for the guy to decide to sell the Bug. Perfect!  A clean, complete ‘67 just waiting for a new engine. In May 1978, I paid $350 for the car, and in just a few weeks, I was cruising. By the end of the year, I became a member of DVB.

This is the earliest pic I found. The chrome wheels (with 135s and 185-70s) and black T-Bars came from my oval. The side and hood trim was shaved; the chrome head light rings and front marker lights were painted black; the brake drums were painted light blue. Note the Talbot mirror and roll bar. Not sure, but I think this photo was taken by a fellow DVB member as I was leaving his house. The car was indeed lowered in the front (we removed the 6 half torsion leaves from the beam), but the worn-out shocks let the suspension rise to stock height during this burn-out. I really dig the tire smoke![attachment=1]


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on October 25, 2011, 09:39:36 am
I had preferred parking while at work . . . this is in front of European (known later as Street Scene) in Anaheim. The shop was right around the corner from my brother’s house and he stopped by often. John took this photo. It’s easy to see the fresh body work and new fenders (note; the front marker lights are gone), but you have to look close to tell that the front fenders are fiberglass. Wink mirrors were quite popular at that time and my car had one. Oh, and look Ma . . . no license plate!
The green truck is a rotary engine Mazda . . . before he had this shop, Jon Chabot would sell VW parts out of the back of his truck at the Orange Drive-in swap meet. That’s where my brother and I first met Jon.[attachment=1]


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rennsurfer on October 25, 2011, 13:51:50 pm
Somewhere in my photo albums... I have a picture of your '67 and my orange '66 when we showed our cars at a VW event (Bug-In?) from the early eighties.  
If ya ever run across it Mark, I'd love to see it!

Mark, I don't remember your '67 having a factory pear shaped side mirror... but is that your car to the left of mine in this photo that I took?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/Sumdumsurfer/Cars/1966BugOCIR.jpg)

Great story on your car, Mark! Keep the words and pictures flowing, please. Those were fun days.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on October 26, 2011, 01:13:54 am
Keep it coming Mark.  :D

BTW what's up with your brothers?


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on October 26, 2011, 09:03:15 am
Rick, thanks for askin’ about my bros. Gary and John are hangin’ in there, but not really into the VWs anymore. I get to see each of them about ten times a year.

Man, you work fast Mark . . . thanks fer posting the pic. Your car is lookin’ really good there!
You are correct, that’s not my ‘67, but it sure looks like it could be a twin, doesn’t it? One of the first additions I made to my car was the Talbot mirror, and once it was in place, I never looked back at the stock mirror again!

I found this in a box in my attic . . . the only original part that I have off of my bug. This is the glove box door that was in the car when those first two photos were taken. I’m sure I saved it because of the dash plaques.
When we were in the VW club, there were  five, no, only four excuses that would be acceptable reasons for missing a Bug-In. But then again, why would you NOT want to go . . . the Bug-Ins were a BLAST! As much as I enjoyed the Bug-Ins though, I really, really looked forward to the navigational rallies. Following those goofy instructions was fun, but challenging! It would be something like this . . .

navigator-“okay, we’re on a roll....... that’s three down, thirty-one more to go!
driver-“so what’s next?”
navigator-“we need to count the telephone poles up to the next intersection.”
driver-“then what?”
navigator-“if the number of poles is even, turn right. If the number is odd, go straight.”
driver-“you’re not counting! didn’t we pass the first pole already?”
navigator-“uh.............uh...................uh, did we?”
driver-“I don’t know!!!!!! I’m asking you!”


[attachment=1]Check the dates on those dash plaques. I collected all of them before I bought the car! I rode with my brother John to those Bug-ins and navigated for him on those rallies. As soon as I got the ‘67, I displayed these dash plaques on the glove box door, but interestingly, all the dash plaques I collected while driving my car went into a box at home. Go figure![attachment=2]


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rennsurfer on October 26, 2011, 13:45:31 pm
Sorry 'bout that... I didn't know that we had a car that looked like yours with color coded door handles. We had so many cars in D.K.K. it's hard to remember 'em all. Especially NOW. HAHA!!

Great posts and pictures, Mark. So stoked to hear from you after all of these years. I dig the glove box door, too. That's the only part of my orange car that I kept, too, for the same reason. Was your car originally Zenith Blue? Hope that your brothers are doing good. You guys all had some really nice cars and were fun to hang out with.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: speedwell on October 26, 2011, 13:55:15 pm
mark , check this tread (http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,2322.0.html) there's some pictures of DKK and some of your brothers(page 3 ,etc..) , like dumpers , red notch , oval on empi 5 etc...

rgd
fabs


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on October 26, 2011, 19:19:17 pm
The rallies were always a ton of fun... Especially the party at the end!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Nico86 on October 28, 2011, 17:48:13 pm
Thanks for sharing stories and pics guys  8)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Stephan S on October 28, 2011, 20:58:47 pm
Thanks for sharing stories and pics guys  8)

Good stuff, indeed!

That was Mark Kessinich sp?  also known as Fred have'nt seen him or the car for years  (decades). I am pretty sure  Mark Dean worked @ Street Scene in Anaheim.
It would be neat to see him again. I went to Long Beach State at that time and would always go across the street to hang out. He was friends with Ray Zimmerman, whom I went to high school with. He was a sqareback guy.

Yeah, who is that Mark/Fred guy?  ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rennsurfer on October 29, 2011, 00:08:40 am
Yeah, who is that Mark/Fred guy?  ;)

No one, really... just a guy that people love to hate.

I'm quite alright with that, 'cause it means I'm living my life correctly and having the most fun possible.

 ;D

Mr. Dean, please do continue with the great photos/stories. Hey, a few of us DEEKS from D.K.K. are going to VW Drag Day this Sunday... do you still live in So Cal?



Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on October 29, 2011, 02:10:09 am
Yeah, who is that Mark/Fred guy?  ;)


Mr. Dean, please do continue with the great photos/stories. Hey, a few of us DEEKS from D.K.K. are going to VW Drag Day this Sunday... do you still live in So Cal?



X2... If you can make it, we'd love to see you Mark


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on March 04, 2012, 06:28:55 am
Have you noticed how time flies? I have been meaning to post more photos of my old  ‘67, but I have been busy gathering parts for a new project. In case yer interested, I bought another oval window. A guy can never have too many projects, right? Anyways, here’s a couple more stories for ya ...

Cruisin’ Van Nuys Blvd

Don, my good buddy/partner-in-crime/life-long friend,  spent as much time in, around , and under the ‘67 as anybody, except maybe me. We had a lot of fun cruising in it at Whittier Blvd. and we went every chance we could. One night, however, Don and I decided to make a run up to the legendary Van Nuys Blvd. cruise. We got a little bit of a late start because I did some work to the
car before we left . . . I think it was an oil change. Seems like it took over an hour to get there, and it was way after eleven when we started cruising. We had made just a few passes when I thought it would be a good idea to leave my mark . . . you know, a burnout  I revved it up, dumped the clutch, and BANG! A busted transaxle, right there in the middle of Van Nuys Blvd.! At midnight!
Don and I pushed the car to the side of the street and I gave a call to my brother John. He was cool about driving up to help us, but he made it a point to make sure that I did not “try” another stock transaxle in my car. I had Don Strong at Der Transaxle go through my gearbox so it would hold up to my abuse. Never had another transmission problem after that!


The Crush

So . . . there was this really cute girl that lived in my neighborhood at the end of my block. While in grade school, I had been invitied to he house for her birthday parties and other occasions, but I was not smart enough to “make a move”, so we stayed simply “just friends”. Later, during high school, she started dating some dude and one day while passing her house, I saw his wheels in her driveway. It was a MINI-TRUCK! Well, I was ready to impress, so as I went around the corner, I opened-up the 48s, dumped the clutch, immediately spun-out! I ended up going over the curb in front of her house and stopped in her front yard . . . OOPS!
Fortunately, the doll was gone with him, in her car. Unfortunatlly, I limped home with a bent beam, bent wheels, flat tires, and wasted fiberglass fenders and apron.

That was what it took to make me finally get paint on the ‘67!
Our good friend, Gerhart Eschbach agreed to help me with the bodywork on my Beetle . . . these photos (circa 1978) were taken at his home . . .


Getting there . . .
[attachment=1]
[attachment=2]
Shaved on the inside also . . .
[attachment=3]
[attachment=4]


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on March 04, 2012, 06:37:55 am
That's Gerhart's Bug parked in his front yard. Stock engine, stock interior, two-piece Empi eight spokes, and LOW! I was totally stoked he let me drive it to school one day while he was working on my car![attachment=1]


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on March 04, 2012, 07:09:25 am
Jerry Seivers at Paint-N-Place sprayed the Datsun Mediterranean blue single-stage enamel.
[attachment=1]

Those are the NOS Empi 5-spokes that my brother John found for me . . . I gladly paid fifty dollars each for them!
[attachment=2]

Aluminum dash panels I made in my high school shop class are bolted in with counter-sunk Allen bolts. Polished fire extinguisher under the dash. And dig the five-band graphic equalizer for the cassette stereo!
[attachment=4]


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on March 04, 2012, 07:23:01 am
Awesome Mark. Great to see it in process. That car is one of my top 5 influences.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on March 04, 2012, 07:52:33 am
Didn't Mark's car have polished Empi  5-spokes before the Porsche alloys? ???

Kevan

Kevan, you have a good memory! The Empis were actually painted silver on the spokes. This photo was taken during the transition. Here, the Ghia disc-brake front end is about to go in. Also note . . . in the garage under the cover is my '56 waiting for the Five-Spokes. I don’t remember how long I drove the ‘67 with ‘half-n-half’ wheels like that, but when I put the Empis on my Oval-window, they were silver on one side and gold on the other . . . it took my neighbor weeks to figure out that it was the same car!

[attachment=1]

Deep 15X6 Fuchs pollished by Charlie Sihilling . . .
The fronts were 15x5.5
[attachment=2]


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on March 04, 2012, 08:34:01 am
I drove that ‘64 around for a short time. It had a 1641 Kadron motor built entirely with core parts I got while working at Street Scene. Check out the plates on my cars. . . only 202 numbers apart! Fullerton DMV probably registers that many cars in a day or two.[attachment=1]


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Fastbrit on March 04, 2012, 09:39:57 am
Very cool photos and memories!  8)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: j-f on March 04, 2012, 11:41:27 am
That's my favorite part of cal look history, reading how things were done back in the day. :) Fun, friends and home made cars!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rennsurfer on March 04, 2012, 15:00:21 pm
Good stuff, Mark. Let us know when you get the Oval done so we can get you some club stickers.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: LuftsickTero on March 04, 2012, 17:06:44 pm
Deep 15X6 Fuchs pollished by Charlie Sihilling . . .
The fronts were 15x5.5

Cool photos and stories, thank you for sharing them  8) Really dig the colour and the unusual fully polished wheels.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on March 04, 2012, 17:25:43 pm
Fully polished alloys were S.O.P. (Standard Operating Procedure) in DKK  ;)



Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rennsurfer on March 05, 2012, 07:34:22 am
Fully polished alloys were S.O.P. (Standard Operating Procedure) in DKK  ;)

For everyone but me. Anodized only... then and now.

 ;D


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Cornpanzer on March 05, 2012, 14:12:02 pm
I love the shaved decklid. A style that should come back IMO.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on March 05, 2012, 18:31:17 pm
Fully polished alloys were S.O.P. (Standard Operating Procedure) in DKK  ;)

For everyone but me. Anodized only... then and now.

 ;D


Always the rebel!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on March 05, 2012, 18:32:57 pm
I love the shaved decklid. A style that should come back IMO.

I've often thought about doing the shaved decklid but anywhere else you put the license plate makes it look as an afterthought.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Zach Gomulka on March 06, 2012, 02:23:29 am
I love the shaved decklid. A style that should come back IMO.

Never liked it. Always looks like something is missing.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Cornpanzer on March 07, 2012, 14:52:35 pm
Kinda like shaved trim, shaved turn signals and no bumpers look like "something is missing"?   :P

Its definitely a polarizing look. It was hot for a sort period in the 80's, so I think you would have to have been around the hobby then to appreciate it. I was so proud of my shaved and louvered decklid that I put on my '69 in 1988. I need to find some photos.  :)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: javabug on March 07, 2012, 15:22:37 pm
Dave the decklid on your black car would look great shaved like that. Just a little extra work filling those additional vents at the top.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Cornpanzer on March 07, 2012, 21:51:59 pm
Actually, I have considered shaving a sedan lid and having it punched full of hot rod louvers just to buck the trend.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: danny gabbard on March 07, 2012, 22:09:39 pm
Dave you would be a hit on taco night! Gradeing cheese!!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Cornpanzer on March 08, 2012, 01:20:39 am
ANd knuckles!  :D


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Zach Gomulka on March 08, 2012, 01:22:39 am
Kinda like shaved trim, shaved turn signals and no bumpers look like "something is missing"?   :P

Its definitely a polarizing look. It was hot for a sort period in the 80's, so I think you would have to have been around the hobby then to appreciate it. I was so proud of my shaved and louvered decklid that I put on my '69 in 1988. I need to find some photos.  :)

I don't think trim, signals, and bumpers are in the same category. You can loose the light housing on a 66 or earlier car and it looks pretty ok. The 67 and laters... Not so much ;)

Did you see the pics of the maroon 80's looker I did an interior for? It had a missing light housing, along with t-bars (on a late model... blech), painted headlight rings, and a frenched power antenna in the front fender. I know what you mean though, it seemed like all those wrongs (IMO) made a right on that car.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 58vw on March 11, 2012, 00:13:31 am
louvers..really cool in the 80s...seymour louvers in fullerton did a bunch on all sorts of cars...sir lots of louvers i think was another one
always loved marks car


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on April 01, 2012, 09:11:07 am
When I began modifying my ‘67 in the late seventies, I was influenced by the trends emerging among the big-name street rod builders (just as they were about to OD on billet aluminum). I was, of course, also HEAVILY influenced by the Feb ‘75 D.B.& H.V.W.s  . . . especially the awesome line drawing in the California-Look article. I’ll give credit to that drawing for the idea of shaving my deck lid. When I built the car, I seriously doubt that there was anybody in the world that could have talked me out shaving the deck lid!
[attachment=1]

In the background, you can see my neighbors blue ‘67 . . . the blue plaid interior I had in my car ended up going into Matt’s bug when I rebuilt my car. I think he eventually lowered his bug and put chromes on it.
[attachment=2]

Shaving the front indicators, however, is a different story. I am ambivalent about the bullets on ovals, but any other bug looks better with the stock front indicators shaved. The indicators I used here were some that Jon Cabot located . . . we used to sell them at Street Scene.
[attachment=3]

I really liked my car with the alloys, but I think this is the best version of my ‘67. If I could change only one thing, I would throw those goofy knock-offs into the trash . . . Five spokes deserve the correct center caps! Note the shaded windshield. The speakers are Magnums that had heavy, die-cast grills and were mounted in a simple, hinged plywood panel. When I later rebuilt the ‘67, that speaker panel went into my ‘56 and was in it when I sold my oval window.
[attachment=4]


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on April 01, 2012, 09:54:10 am
Another view of the front indicators. Unless I am mistaken, they are from some sort of industrial equipment.  
[attachment=1]

Just for old times sake, a few more shots in front of the shop. I am sure these Polaroids were taken by my brother John . . . with the Empi wheels . . .
[attachment=2]
[attachment=3]



Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on April 01, 2012, 10:03:52 am
About the full polish on my wheels. I thought I was getting a deal on the set of wheels ( I think I found them for sale in The Recycler classifieds ), but after I bought them and took them over to Charlie Sihilling, he explained how durable powder coating is and that I would NOT be getting a bargain on the polishing!
In case yer interested, they were COMPLEATLY covered in metallic grey hammertone powder paint.
This was the day I picked them up and my brother thought this comparison with a couple wheels from the shop would be fun.
[attachment=1]

And with the alloys on the car.
[attachment=2]
A short time after this photo was taken, the story of my ‘67 took a sad turn for the worse!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Cornpanzer on April 01, 2012, 17:19:40 pm
If I could change only one thing, I would throw those goofy knock-offs into the trash . . . Five spokes deserve the correct center caps!

The best thing about wheel spinners (I had the three bar type) was how they would inevitably loosen up and fly off. I think I lost three total. I was lucky, none of them took any paint with them...but I know others werent so lucky!   :D


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on April 01, 2012, 18:43:48 pm
If I could change only one thing, I would throw those goofy knock-offs into the trash . . . Five spokes deserve the correct center caps!

The best thing about wheel spinners (I had the three bar type) was how they would inevitably loosen up and fly off. I think I lost three total. I was lucky, none of them took any paint with them...but I know others werent so lucky!   :D

I only lost one... about 6 months later I was at a friends house and his little brother mentioned he found one up in the hills. He showed it to me and it was mine! I could tell because I painted the back side of them.  ;D


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rick Meredith on April 01, 2012, 18:45:09 pm
Great Pics Mark.

I just absolutely loved that car.

It really influenced my ideas and also led me to DKK  ;)


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: DKKBRIAN on April 02, 2012, 21:12:48 pm
DITTO .. WHAT RICK SAID.  ;D


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Cheesepanzer on April 03, 2012, 00:57:31 am
Just for old times sake, a few more shots in front of the shop. I am sure these Polaroids were taken by my brother John . . . with the Empi wheels . . .
[attachment=2]

Street Scene...  Lots of bench racing took place there!!   8)  Bought my first stroker crank there (82mm porsche journal EMS crank).


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: gerhart on July 10, 2012, 06:51:17 am
wow, I can not believe it has been that long ago, My Bahama yellow 1970, so dam low could not clear a beer can on its side. Man we had so much fun in those days working on ower cars. I will never forget when John your brother came to my house with his new 1973 super, with  paper plats,  and said lets rip off the chrome and Cal Look this thing, I thought he was out of his mind, I think we had primer on it that might. Dam We Had FUN !!!!   


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on July 14, 2012, 08:07:43 am
Hey Gerhart! Welcome to the Cal-look Lounge . . . I am really glad ya found me! What’s even more of a trip than how long it’s been, is that these folks (even some of them on the other side of the world!) remember the cars we worked on!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: gerhart on July 23, 2012, 00:03:38 am
Hello 57blitz (mark) , it really was great to see you, wish I had more time to talk to you. You have brought back so may good memories   that I have forgoten. I just finished looking at the photos of your new project car,what a beautiful start,that car is you. I wish I could be there to help, what fun that would be. Do you have tail lights for the car, I had noticed in one of the pics there were no lights on the rear fenders. I have two pair of glass lens tail lights and you can have a pair if they are correct for your car. OH YA, in the last pic saw something interesting that might be under the blue cover.  Well Ill let you go, sorry it took so long to get back to you.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on July 23, 2012, 08:34:35 am
I have two pair of glass lens tail lights and you can have a pair if they are correct for your car. OH YA, in the last pic saw something interesting that might be under the blue cover. 
Thanks Gerhart! I could use taillights (and a few other Oval window parts!)
As for what's under the blue tarp, I am going to mention it, but that'll be at the end of this story.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on July 23, 2012, 08:53:47 am
So one day, I arrive for work at Street Scene, and my personal parking spot in front of the store is taken. I think the bartending school was having a gradation ceremony and the lot had a bunch of cars in it. I parked the ‘67 in the second row, but it was just out of my sight when I was behind the counter. Shortly after that, a customer comes into the shop and asks me what happened to my car. “Uh . . . nothing happened to my car! What are you talking about?”


This is what he was talking about . . . a Hit-and-Run!
[attachment=1]
[attachment=2]
[attachment=3]

I didn't see my car get hit, but there was beige paint transferred to my fender. I kept an eye on the parking lot and after about a week, I spotted an old station wagon parked across the lot in front of the market. I went out and got a closer look, and sure enough . . . the old beater had a Mediterranean blue “Talladega stripe" along the right side.
Of course I waited there until the guy came out of the store!
Of course the guy denied hitting my car!
Finally, after showing him how my car had his paint on it and his car had some of mine, all it took was my suggestion that we get another opinion from an Anaheim Police officer and the dude agreed to pay the repair cost. He gave me all the cash he had in his wallet (about $30), let me copy the info on his driver license, and he gave me his phone number. Then he told me he would be able to give me more money on payday.
He must have forgot to tell me he was moving out of town the day before payday . . . I never saw the guy again!


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on July 23, 2012, 09:02:47 am
cool car never seen before   :o mark was in the dkk , but no stickers on the windows ???

Fabian, you can blame a no-good jerk in an old station wagon for that! >:(


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rennsurfer on July 23, 2012, 13:56:16 pm
Fabian, any time our club cars underwent bodywork, had primer, or damage... the club stickers were covered or removed. I went through the same thing Mark did and covered mine for a couple of weeks till my friend and I resprayed the car.

Mark, I don't recall seeing your car with the black headlight rings (bezels). I always dug how it looked with the color coded ones much better. That sucks about that guy that didn't man up and settle the damage properly. Some people... sheesh.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: 56BLITZ on August 01, 2012, 07:13:01 am
Mark, I don't recall seeing your car with the black headlight rings (bezels). I always dug how it looked with the color coded ones much better. 

Good call Mark! The H/L rings were black before I painted the car and again after my fender was smashed. The color-coded ring got demolished and ended up in the middle of Lincoln Ave. after it fell off the guys bumper! We sold headlight rings in chrome and black and knowing that they would be painted, I put a pair of black rings on the car before I left the shop that day. As for you not remembering seeing black rings on the car, it’s probably because I drove the car for just a couple of weeks like that. My best buddy Don and I thrashed to get my oval window into service and I started driving it . . . I had big plans for the ‘67.
Gary had his Notchback cherry and John already had Dumper featured in DBHVWs, so I wanted to catch up to them!
I decided to go for one-piece windows, make more modifications to the dash, elimanate the front turn indicators and buggy bars, and redo the interior trim. Then there was the main seal that had  started to leak a little . . .


About a month after that guy hit my car, Don and I had it lookin’ like this . . .
[attachment=1][attachment=2][attachment=3]


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: DKKBRIAN on August 03, 2012, 23:12:36 pm
MARK, MORE PICS OF THE INTERIOR WHEN YOU WERE FINISHED..? BP


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: Rennsurfer on August 04, 2012, 02:24:46 am
Mark, the old pictures of your car are great. Please keep 'em and the stories flowing.


Title: Re: Lost History -- The Mark Dean '67
Post by: s7racer on August 06, 2012, 06:39:46 am
Hey Mark-
Jimmy Moore here. My brother Tony lived down the street from your brother John. We used to come into Street Scene all the time. I was friends with Gary. I bought the 64 sunroof body off of you and put it on a 62 pan. It was my first car. This brings backs so many memories! I'll have to scan some of the pics of the 64. What's your brother Gary up to?