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AZ-Eye-catching cars that have appeared in movies, television shows and music videos originated
on a quiet street here. Fearone a former rock 'n' roll drummer who
moved to AZ. in 2005 from Calif., renders customized, or aftermarket, designs cars for General Motors, Ford, Fiat, Dodge and Honda. Fearone completes the concept within two days and submits them to the manufacturers, who in turn approve the designs, or order changes in them. Fearone assembles a team of local
business owners who work on a vehicle that the manufacturer supplies to him to
keep. Each project takes no more than three weeks, and includes work such as painting,
upholstery, powder coating, sound system and engine upgrades.
The customized vehicles are street legal, but are used strictly in media promotions (and) marketing campaigns on behalf of GM. Besides appearing in showrooms at dealerships, the customized cars have made it to the small and large screens. Fearone recalled a representative from Rich King Casting of Los Angeles spotted a Pontiac Solstice that he took to the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in 2007 in Las Vegas. He described
SEMA as being the largest and "most prestigious" show for aftermarket vehicles in the world. The representative tracked Fearone Designs down and called him. Rich King was able to cast the Pontiac
in a funeral scene in "Fast & Furious 4," released in 2009. After the movie is all done, they did
an outtake out of all the cars in the movie."Movie officials selected the Pontiac and two other cars out of a field of 100 vehicles. The Pontiac also has appeared in episodes of "Night Rider" on television, as well. Fearone's customized Chevrolet HHR has appeared in several music videos, as well.
Fearone began dabbling in car designs with a PT Cruiser in 2001 as a hobby. "I had no thought of doing what I am
doing today - custom designer. Fearone went to car shows on the West Coast. Sponsors approached him and asked
to sponsor his work, he stated on his website. He wrote his big break came in 2006 when GM "came calling and urged us to submit a rendering" of what an aftermarket Chevrolet HHR would look like if it were to
appeal to consumers ages 18 to 35. Fearone LLC has customized 12 vehicles, five of which remain in their possession. Fearone gets high marks from Bob Kern, the retired SEMA relations director for GM in Detroit. "Fearone is one of the most creative car builders I have had the pleasure to work with,"
Kern stated in an email. "Fearone is noted as very attentive to detail and
delivers a very high quality show car every year. This is difficult when you
consider the diversity of the cars they have worked on - ranging from his original
PT Cruiser, Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac Solstice and the (Chevrolet) Sonic. All were
outstanding in concept and exhibited unique features done by Fearone's assembly of
creative craftsmen who supported each of show cars."
Kudos came to Fearone with a SEMA award in 2012 in the small car category for his customized 2013 Sonic.
About half of the 6,000 to 7,000 cars at the event were in the small-car category. AZ. local businesses that
worked on the award-winning car: Audio Adrenaline, Auto Doctors of Arizona, AZ
Hydrographics, Dean Designs, Jenks Powder Coating, J&L Streetrods, Kinsey's
Custom, Prescott Tire Pros, Prescott Auto Body, Prescott Valley Automotive and
Red Beard Graphics. Tony Ross of Auto Doctors said he participated for "just the exposure, and that is kind of what I do." He said he did the suspension work, nitric oxide, intake and exhaust systems for Fearone's entry.
For Fearone designing custom car, he stated "It fulfills the passion that I
lost being a professional drummer," "Thank goodness I am retired.
This is such a full-time job. If I had an 8-to-5 job, it would be almost impossible for me to do it."