Darryl Hollenbeck

James Hetfield's 1937 Lincoln Zephyr - "Voodoo Priest" was built by Rick Dore at RD Kustoms in 2012. Final preparations on the bodywork and paint were done by Darryl at his studio in Concord. The Candy Apple was laid over raspberry to achieve that nice deep red.

Darryl laid the signature paint job on Beau Boeckmann's 1934 Ford 5-Window Coupe. Known as The Iron Orchid, the build was completed in 2013. Photo courtesy of Dave Shuten.

Darryl Hollenbeck of Vintage Color Studio in Concord, California is known as on of the best painters in the world.

Background

Darryl Hollenbeck is the founder of Vintage Color Studio. He was born in 1965 to Bay Area custom car enthusiasts Carol and Dale Hollenbeck. He is a 3rd generation painter and customizer. His grandfather Lester and uncle Denny were involved in custom painting in Oakland during the 1950s.

Early Years

Darryl began his journey in the world of custom cars by sanding, priming, and painting alongside his father Dale and Uncle Denny before he even became a teenager. His first notable car was a '68 Mustang. Growing up in Concord, California, he was connected to several East Bay custom legends.

Challenges

Darryl faced a drug addiction in his younger years but managed to overcome it in 1994. After getting clean, he started working for Jerry Sahagon ar Sahagon Custom Car Concepts in Concord, where he refined his skills.

Career

In 1997, Darryl collaborated with John Aiello and Mike Wenger to establish "Acme Autobody," marking the beginning of his reputation as a respected custom car painter. The Acme team worked on several award-winning custom cars. Darryl later joined Oakland's Moal Coachbuilders but eventually pursued his dream of having his own workspace. He opened Vintage Color Studio in Concord in 2011.

Achievements

Darryl's association with the Brizio family made him a sought-after painter for renowned rod builder Roy Brizio. He worked on cars for celebrities like Eric Clapton, Neil Young, and James Hetfield of Metallica. His partnership with PPG solidified his status as a top custom car painter. In 2014, he showcased his talent with two standout cars: Norm Ricardo's 1959 Ford Ranch Wagon and Galpin Auto Sport's The Iron Orchid 1934 Ford Coupe.

Recognition

One of Darryl's most significant achievements was winning the 2016 America's Most Beautiful Roadster Award for his green deuce roadster.

Philosophy

Darryl believes in doing things right the first time, producing high-quality work, and maintaining honesty in all his dealings.

Cars Painted by Darryl Hollenbeck

Click here to see cars painted by Vintage Color Studio