TV show HOT ROD Garage built a car sponsored by Dodge to compete in the Roadkill Nights race event. Their platform of choice was a ’55 Plymouth Savoy that would become the shell of a completely custom-built drag car.

The intention for the livery design was to respect the original patina of the car, while adorning it with graphics that referenced HOT ROD’s ‘golden era’ – the 50s and 60s. Hand painted lettering in classic sign writer’s typography was used, but with a few modern touches as the striking crop and text placement on the doors, as well as the modern 378 lettering and Direct Connection logos.

The process for developing this livery started with 3D models of the car and wheels to aid in client communication and design adjustments. I then translated the real-life patina patterns onto the 3D body and began to apply the livery design. This gave me real-time visuals of what graphic placement would look like in respect to the nuances of the patina, and sizing and color palette could be chosen accordingly.

Once the design was approved, I commissioned local sign painter Jenna Homen to hand paint the entire car in sign writer’s enamel. Having it hand painted would allow the design to feel human and imperfect, and age with time to ‘bed itself’ into the patina of the car.