Mitch Lanzini Extends his Art from Toy Cars to Overhaulin’
Custom painter Mitch Lanzini of Lanzini Body Works in Huntington Beach, CA, began his career polishing and showing off his toy cars. As a kid, for Lanzini the Batmobile on TV exemplified hot rods and custom cars, and by high school he was using cans of spray paint on bicycles and motorcycles. At 21, he customized his first vehicle, his own Datsun truck, that earned him his first magazine cover. Today, Mitch, 54, has more than 30 years experience in the business, has been featured on many more magazine covers, and has owned Lanzini Body Works with his wife, Tara, for 20 years.
You could say Mitch was born to be an artist. His grandfather Angelo Lanzini was a renowned painter and sculptor in Italy. “Mitch comes from a long line of artists in his family,” said Tara. “It’s in his blood. His grandfather painted portraits for two U.S. presidents and was commissioned to paint the Pope’s portrait which still hangs in the Vatican today. Angelo’s three sons, including Mitch’s dad, were all artists too.”
Like a typical body shop, Lanzini Body Works does collision repair and exterior custom painting work in a 4,500 square-foot space. What’s not so usual is some of the other work they do, like custom painting interior pieces for a prototype airplane that will be featured in the Hamburg Air Show in Germany in March. Other custom painting and designing jobs have included ambulances, surf boards, guitars, race cars, bowling pins, motorcycles, kids’ pedal cars and their own line of roller derby skate wheels.
However, building and restoring hot rods is their main line of business. Their two favorite projects are their own cars, a gold 1933 Speedstar coupe and a purple 1932 Zipper Roadster. The coupe, Mitch said, is “a piece of rolling art” because many of the parts are handmade. After working some 300 hours on the body, he spent 24 hours straight painting it. Over the course of his career, Mitch figures he’s custom painted nearly 200 show-stopping cars.
“What I love about painting cars is that it really is a true form of art.” But getting to the painting means hundreds of hours of prep time has already been spent. “Even if you’ve done everything right, things can still go wrong,” said Mitch. “You’ve put so much time into a car for so long, and when the day comes where you’re actually mixing paint and suiting up to go into the booth, you cross your fingers and pray to the paint gods that nothing goes wrong. Because there are days when things do go wrong that didn’t go wrong the day before, and any painter who tells you he hasn’t had that day is a liar,” Mitch said. “A little speck of dust can ruin hours of prep work. Today’s painters have to be part chemist and part weatherman because so many things can go wrong.”
His current paint preference is BASF Onyx, and for clears and primers, he uses Young’s House of Klear. “The gloss factor of the clears are amazing and the other products are very user-friendly, affordable and mix well,” Mitch said. He also likes the universal flattening agent that is “outstanding.” In addition to cars, he uses the House of Klear products on high-profile artwork he does for an expressionist artist because “the clear looks amazing under gallery lights.”
Between 2004–2009, the Lanzini shop was featured in the Velocity network TV reality show Overhaulin’ where the concept of the show was to ‘borrow or steal’ an old, tired or antique car and restore it in one week and return it as a surprise to its owner. The body and paint work was done at Lanzini Body Works, where 25 episodes of the popular car make-over show was filmed.
“It was great to do the show, but also really challenging because during filming, all the other work in our shop came to a halt, and working non-stop meant a lot of sleepless nights,” Mitch said. “On Overhaulin’, if the car was ready to paint at 2 a.m., you painted the car at 2 a.m. We worked through many sleepless nights, but as crazy as it sounds, the best paint jobs I’ve done were done in the middle of the night when I was sleep deprived.”
When the producers of the show first approached Mitch with the concept and asked if he wanted to be involved, Mitch admits he didn’t think it was possible to completely restore a car in just one week. He thought the show would be a train wreck but, of course, he wanted in. The very first makeover was a Chevelle and it came into Mitch’s shop a mess—a bare metal body full of rust and holes. When the body work was done, Mitch spent all night painting the car, and when the tow truck showed up at 6 a.m., they sent the driver out for coffee while they walked around the car with heat lamps. “The paint was still wet when the car rolled away,” Mitch said. “It was an intense build.” And that was just the first of many. That’s when Mitch got the wake up call that doing the show wasn’t going to be easy by any means, and so he asked the producers to rotate filming amongst other shops.
Automobile designer Chip Foose hosted the show, which ran for five seasons, and has now returned for its sixth season. Foose is Mitch’s neighbor, close friend and also has a shop nearby. “Chip is probably one of my best friends and someone I respect more than most. We always have so much fun hanging out and working together because we’re like two little kids who just love to create things. He’s been around cars his whole life too, so we have a lot in common and a lot of fun together.”
Some of Mitch’s celebrity customers include comedian Christopher Titus who had his own FOX show, and race car driver Jimmie Johnson. However, Lanzini Body Works gives everyone who walks in their doors the same level of attention and painting excellence.
“The day I know everything as a painter is the day I will retire,” Mitch said. “As of now, that hasn’t happened, and it probably won’t for a long time to come.”
Lanzini Body Works Inc.
17901 Sampson Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Phone - (714) 375-2828
Fax - (714) 375-2830
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
lanzinibodyworks.com
For the third time, the organization of the SEMA Show and brand WD-40 prepared together a super car to charity. It is a Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 mediatico transformed by specialist Chip Foose.
In traditional SEMA Show in Las Vegas oddities abound on wheels, the extravagances and stimuli to stimuli to senses of sight and hearing. All who know the event, either have gone or through the media coverage, know about such features. But many are still unaware that Solidarity also has its place-and even his own stand-in quintessential fair refurbished vehicles. To deal with the question of solidarity, the organization of event created the subdivision "SEMA Cares," which counted from minute zero with the collaboration of the WD-40 brand. What they did between the two Bolt was not added to the bad name to all brands construction participated in the vehicle through the donation of accessories or providing their services, because you did the name of the car would have a huge size.
Regarding the appearance of the Dodge, we with a body kit belonging to the product line Foose Design. Chip prepare himself BASF paint covering body car. It is predominantly black and yellow, which breaks the combination that identifies WD-40-blue-yellow and had already been used both the Mustang and the Camaro. Personalize cars belonging to the category "Muscle Cars" exhibit at SEMA Show and then auction them. The proceeds went to various organizations that provide assistance to needy children.
The first "experiment" was conducted on the basis of a Chevrolet Camaro SS. Next came another transform icon American industry: the Ford Mustang GT. So we come to the most recent "Guinea pig", which debuted at the SEMA Show last: a Dodge Challenger SRT8 392. The big news about the Dodge Challenger is the Chip Foose talented and media was involved in the project and left his unmistakable mark on. Hence the pompous name it renamed: WD-40 SEMA Cares Foose Challenger. And me- The rings are of MHT march 20 "in the front and 21" in the rear. All four wheels used Pirelli P Zero high performance.
Since you mention the word "performance" is a good time Challenger to say that this is the most powerful car of the three so far were presented by "SEMA Cares". Porta Hemi engine 392 cubic inches with a maximum power of 470 HP, mated to a Tremec manual transmission 6-speed. For the energy reaches wheels more efficiently, uses twin ACT clutches. Also play their part refrigeration mouth K & N and the system MagnaFlow Exhaust. Hotchkis Suspension specialists were responsible to improve vehicle handling and placed a kit sports coil springs and stabilizer bars. The car will be auctioned in Scottsdale, Arizona, by the renowned Barrett-Jackson house. The dollars are obtained, which safely will be few, will go to the hands of "Childhelp" and "The Victory Junction Gang Camp ", two foundations that help children with different needs.
Only one will take home this Challenger. The remaining we will have to settle for looking at photos or handle in the virtual world "Nitto 1320 Legends", a popular racing game offered free via the Internet. It will not be the same as being in the meat these 470 horsepower, but better than nothing, as they say there.
TECHNICAL
WD-40 SEMA Cares Foose Challenger, Basic Auto: Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Designer: Chip Foose, Caria Car Kit: Foose Design, Body painting: BASF, Cockpit upholstery: Katkzin, Engine: 392 inch Hemi, Maximum power: 470 HP, Transmission: 6-speed manual Tremec, Clutch: ACT, Exhaust system: MagnaFlow, Boca Cooling: K & N, Hoops: MHT (20 "in front / 21" on the rear axle)., Tires: Pirelli P Zero high-performance., Suspension: coil springs and stabilizer bars sports.
Mitch Lanzini's 33 Speedstar Coupe spent a long time in the planning stage
By Brian Brennan
All of our projects start out in one direction, and all too often the straightest path becomes one filled with curves.
Such was the case for Mitch Lanzini of Huntington Beach, California. Being Chip Foose's shop neighbor during the filming days of television's Overhaulin' had its ups, but it also put one project on hold. He had seen Bobby Alloway's coupe on the cover of STREET RODDER and thought something like that was just what he needed for a project. Mitch purchased the Rat's Glass SpeedStar coupe body and chassis from Alloway's Hot Rod Shop with the intention of getting right on the build.
Remember we said he was Foose's shop neighbor? Well, it turns out during the five-year run of the series, Mitch's shop (Lanzini Body Works) was the go-to-shop the TV series would use to get work done-quickly! For five years the SpeedStar sat in a corner waiting for life to get back to a normal hectic-not TV hectic.
Mitch was quick to learn that during the hiatus from the build his ideas and potential resources had changed considerably. Armed with new ideas and enthusiasm and new ways to get more accomplished, the project took on a different light. Upon its completion he showed the car at the 2009 Detroit Autorama (home of the Ridler award) and was pleased with everyone's reaction. Time and ideas well spent, but let's take a look at what actually happened.
Mitch received one hell of a birthday gift as Foose designed the interior, wheels, sterring wheel, and other accessories on the SpeedStar, for which Mitch tells us he is eternally grateful. Another handy (no pun intended) friend on the project was Mike Curtis of Curtis Speed who machined the wheels, steering wheel, quick change gear cover, and rear suspension tie-bar with logo. Others involved from Foose's shop included Bryan Fuller who bent the three-piece hood. Steve Greninger and Foose fabricated the one-of-a-kind air cleaner, Petey Worrel wired the hot rod, and Gabe Lopez was in charge of bringing Foose's interior rendering to fruition. All the body and paintwork was handled in Mitch's shop.
The chassis originally came from Alloway's and was outfitted with a Winters quick-change and Zipper Motors halfshafts. Further appointments to the quick-change include Aldan Shocks and Wilwood disc brakes. The front suspension is based on a Heidts Superide 11 IFS with a Sweet rack-and-pinion, Aldan coilover shocks, and a Wilwood disc brake package coupled with a Ford SVT master cylinder. The chassis rests on a set of Foose wheels and Pirelli PZero rubber. The one-off Foose wheels measure 17x8 in front with 205/40's, and 20x10 in back with 315/35 skins.
The GMPP crate motor is a 383 Fast Burn small-block, assembled by Steve Luvisi of Automotive Expertise using an assortment of proven aftermarket products. The Edelbrock intake supports a Holley 750-cmf four-barrel topped with the aforementioned one-off air cleaner. The water pump is another Edelbrock item along with a Steve Long stainless radiator, SPAL 16-inch electric fan, a Powermaster Performance alternator, and one-off composite valve covers. The ignition is an HEI with Taylor wires and Rod Sexton custom headers and 21/2-inch exhaust pipe running back to the MagnaFlow mufflers. Tim Deal assembled the TH350 tranny that is hooked to an Alloway driveshaft running back to the quick-change.
The Rat's Glass three-window SpeedStar coupe body is made from fiberglass but utilizes and aluminum hood and a Dan Fink grille insert, while Mitch and his guys handled the bodywork and then sprayer on the paint. The color chosen is a custom mix called Lanzini Gold in candy mixed by R-M. To the body, custom headlights by Mike Curtis were added while the taillights were LED flush mounted and then clearcoated. The brightwork throughout the car, and there is plenty, was handled by Artistic Silver Plating.
Inside, the fiberglass dashboard from Rat's is fitted with a billet insert from Carriage Works and Classic Insrument gauges. The Gabe Lopez interior is fashioned over connected bucket seats with gray and tan leather accented with gold piping, while the carpeting is tan wool. (Ther leather appears brown in this lighting but it is a gray with its reddish-cast, making it look brown.)
Other interior appointments include the ididit steering column topped with the one-off steering wheel, Lokar pedals, and shifter with a Foose whittled knob. Never fails, our best intentions always seem to be in for a "redo." Knowing this, we could have told Mitch to hang on as his hot rod project would be no different than any other.
Interior: The ididit steering column with the Chip Foose-designed and Mike Curtis one-off steering wheel sets the tone for the interior that features stitchwork by Gabe Lopez in a leather and gold piping along with wool carpeting. The dash shows off a Carriage Works insert with Classic Instrument gauges, Lokar pedals, and shifter.
Written by Christopher Campbell/ October, 2011
The options checklist is a new car buyer’s chance to mix and match parts and packages to tailor their car to their personality and performance expectations. On modern cars it’s mostly focused on creature comforts and styling with drivetrain options fairly locked in by the chosen model. For example: You want a new Mustang GT, you get the 5.0, but for the blown 5.4, you step up to the GT500.
That wasn’t always the case. Mixing and matching engine choices used to be one of those seminal decisions when placing your order. In 1970, when Ford launched the massively reworked and aggressively styled Torino, there were five engine displacement options: a 250ci sixer, 302ci and 351ci Windsor, 351ci Cleveland, and the big bad 429ci 385 Series. The 429 even had three options of its own: the 429 Thunder Jet rated at 360hp, the 429 Cobra Jet rated at 370hp, and the ultimate 429 Super Cobra Jet rated at 375 hp. The 429 that didn’t make the cut was the legendary Boss. Or did it?
The long accepted assumption was that any gearhead looking for a street-going Boss 429 engine was buying a SportsRoof Mustang. We always thought that was the case as well. Not even seemingly ideal candidates, the ’69 Torino Talladega, for example, were so bestowed; all of those were fitted with 428 Cobra Jet engines. As it turns out, though, there may have been a loophole.
Tim Gilbert pondered those scenarios as well, as he stood, brochure in hand, looking at his newly acquired ’70 Torino GT. He’d always wanted a factory big-block, four-speed ’70 Torino, with all of the unique styling options that the GT package included. Fittingly in our opinion, and probably maddeningly to Torino purists, the car that finally presented itself as the right platform to build his dream after years of searching was a legit J-code 429 CJ car—one of only 412 GTs equipped with a 429 CJ, shaker hood, and a four-speed.
We say fittingly, because it arrived as a solid roller, sans drivetrain. Tim’s original plan was simply to restore the Torino to near-factory spec and enjoy it. However, that single, overlooked line from the brochure gnawed at him. It wasn’t a Cobra, but it was a 429 car. Perhaps it was time someone built the Boss Torino that should have been—simple, near stock, just with a badass semi-Hemi engine. “And then the madness began,” Tim says, with a laugh.
Since none were built, and the matching-numbers hoopla was thrown out the window, the question then became: What should a Boss 429 Torino look like? The brochure specifically stated Cobra only, but Tim definitely wanted to retain the GT’s hideaway headlights, full-length taillights, and plush interior options. With that in mind, Tim enlisted renowned artist Steve Stanford to help him capture something that felt like a uniquely personalized package Ford might have offered for Boss 429-powered Torinos.
That idea and a stack of photos of cars and options he liked was pretty much all Tim had for Stanford, though: "I told him, 'If I knew what I wanted, I wouldn’t be here!'"
With a deceivingly subtle style penned by Stanford in hand, Tim touched base with Eric Thorsen to make the interior a reality. “I liked him from the start when he asked me to send him a copy of the rendering, so he could put it up and just think about it for a while, Tim says. “That’s the guy you want to do your interior!” One man slaved over the interior, but getting the long curves of the Torino’s body back in shape took a minor army in the shape of three shops: GMT Metalworks for the sheetmetal, Dan Fink Metalworks for the mods to make the Boss 429 fit between the fenders, and Lanzini Bodyworks for final paint.
As for the genesis for the whole project—the Boss engine—when Tim first started the build it was before the recent resurgence of boutique power parts, and aftermarket heads weren’t yet available. Pricey vintage ones were few and far between and became a source of expense and delays due to constant cracking during machining. Thankfully, ShotGun Hemi Parts released their revamped new Boss heads, and from there the engine build snowballed as quickly as the rest of the car. Boss engine guru Rick Stanton at Performance Engine Building derailed what he called Tim’s “mild” plans for a 450-550hp 429, or even 494ci Boss. To make good use of heads that flow 475 cfm at .650, Stanton concocted a recipe for 598 inches and a streetable 870 hp. Yes, we said streetable; Stanton intended for it to be driven regularly.
Clearly, things got a little out of hand and the build schedule grew in response as well, but in the end what emerged is perhaps the finest Torino ever built, though much of the details are hidden to the casual observer. Then again, that’s fine with Tim; it’s subtle enough for the Ford purists to appreciate, custom enough for hot rodders to envy, and powerful enough for any gearhead to drool over.
His only complaint? The Torino drives smooth and tight like the Grand Touring muscle car it is, but 870 hp with a torque curve like a tabletop takes some getting used to; it tends to tear the tires loose at pretty much any speed and in any gear. “Well, it is Ferrari red,” Tim says. “Maybe I should take it to Ferrari of Washington, pull up right in front of the showroom next to a new 458 Italia, and ask if someone will show me how to drive it!” Sounds like fun to us, though we’ll bet the Ferrari cognoscenti will be far more intimidated by the bark from the twin tips than Tim ever was.
