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The Mind of Curtis MacLean
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"I want people to walk into a car show and say
they never saw that before. I don't want to do
what they've already seen a dozen times."
- Curtis MacLean
Curtis was born in Cape Breton but spent most of his formative
years in central Nova Scotia, surrounded a large family.
Like many young boys at the time, Curtis loved collecting
and making model cars, he also enjoyed drawing and art class.
Curtis spent several decades operating a sign company in Halifax/Dartmouth, one of the busiest markets in
Atlantic Canada. His work in neon and other signage techniques was instantly familiar to metro
commuters on buildings such as the C100-CJCH Studios on Agricola Street, and the massive scrawl on Atlantic
Car Stereo in Dartmouth.
Radical Customizing - In 2005, the MacLean family moved to Prince Edward Island to pursue his dream of
customizing cars, opening his Radical Garage not far from Summerside.
Why PEI you may ask? Not only to be near the right welder, but for the quality of the life for himself and
his growing family.
"I've had offers, good opportunities,
to move to the US to work.
It's flattering, but I'm a Maritimer.
I want my family to live and work here."
In the following years Radical Garage attracted plenty of
media attention and customers, and
Curtis let his creativity range far behind merely re-inventing classic cars, he developed and patented
designs for the world's coolest garage gear. Biker Box gear holders and Wrench Bench tool boxes
have become Curtis MacLean classics and appeal to the truly dedicated tinkerers in the best equipped garages.
In early 2007 Curtis personally packed up his unique Ultimate Tool Box for an epic cross-continent trip, driving to the
SEMA show in
Las Vegas where they were both hits.
Curtis takes the Tool Box to Vegas -
online video
One collector from Dubai offered Curtis $100,000 at the show for the Tool Box; Curtis ending up keeping it as his
prototype and Showroom model but has produced several others since.
Video in Shockwave Flash Curtis drawing the Ultimate Tool Box
The tool box drew many amazed comments at SEMA and acquired some impressive autographs from various celebrities and
big names in the auto industry including:
Tom Meentz ~ Maximum Destruction
(monster trucks)
George Barris ~ Custom Cars (The Batmobile)
Thomas DuPont ~ DuPont Publishing Inc.
Bill Goldberg ~ Wrestler
Cherie Westrich ~ Overhaulin
Dennis Anderson ~ Gravedigger
(monster trucks)
Ryan Anderson ~ Gravedigger
(monster trucks)
Vinnie DiMartino ~ V-Force
(Formally from Orange County Choppers)
Cody Connelly ~ V-Force
(Formally from Orange County Choppers)
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Gene Winfield ~ Custom Cars
Arlen Ness ~ Custom Motorcycles
Al Dimora ~ DiMora Motorcar
Dave Periet ~ Formula 1 Race Car Driver
Rich Evans ~ Rich Evans Design
Butch Patrick ~ Eddie Munster
Rod Saboury ~ Retired Pro Street Racer
Mark Gerisch ~ Genaddi Design Group
Larry Wood ~ Chief Designer
(Hot Wheels)
”E” DUB ~ DUB Wheels West Coast Customs
JKR Customs
Natalie Green ~ Model
Richie Weinstein Mattel Design
Mitch Lansine ~ Overhaulin
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And most recently here at home was signed by Nova Scotia's own Trailer Park Boys! |
Curtis Custom Design - In 2009 Curtis took the next step forward,
relocating Radical Garage to larger premises in Elmsdale Nova Scotia, closer to the
hub of international business, but still in the heart of the Maritimes and
minutes from quiet countryside. The new shop and showroom is situated
in a prime location in the Elmsdale Business Park,
convenient to many neighbouring and local businesses that cater to the
automotive industry, and a short trip to the
Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
The new location not only provides Radical Garage with a roomy, well equipped machine
shop but also an impressive auto Showroom as well, along with office and
boardroom space.
Curtis wanted his new premises to allow for hands-on workshops with international level guests,
retail display, commission car sales and even auto auctions, the first of which was a
featured event during Curtis Custom's official Opening Week, April 6th to 11th, 2010.
Curtis on Design - Given a choice, Curtis isn't interested in doing anything
that's been done-to-death before, so designs start with a unique visual conception, hand-drawn by
Curtis, not by computer. His favourite project delivers a 'one-of-a-kind' result to the customer.
His slanted vision sees vehicles & gear in new and special ways, from convention
displays, to the Ultimate Tool Box, right down to his own merchandise counter at the Curtis Custom Design
Showroom, still recognizable as half a vintage pickup truck. (The other half is mounted on the exterior
wall above the back bay doors of the garage!)
Today, Curtis is keeping the creative juices flowing with on-going commissions - from private individuals to
commercial enterprises - even providing custom vehicles for movie production.
"You ain't seen nothin' yet!" |
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Curtis MacLean - Drawing a Dream
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