My friend Alan Wance passed away today from a heart attack. Most people won't know him, but he worked for me for over 10 years as my head upholsterer. His work can be seen in many of the TOP showcars in the country, including Brad Conley's GSX Prototype and many of the Chevelles owned by Reggie Jackson. If we had an interior to make for a special car he was the only one I would let touch it. He crafted interiors for literally thousands of Muscle Cars, including Corvettes, Chevelles, Camaros, 442s, Buicks, Pontiacs, Mopars, Fords, Shelbys, Mercurys, you name it. Think of him when you look at the Concours show field at the GS Nationals. He is there. I will miss him. Duane
God's speed to your friend Alan, and My condolences to his family and yours. Good friends are hard to come by,and even tougher to lose. Bruce
Duane, I am deeply saddened to hear this.I met Alan a few years ago and he was a VERY forthright man.We spoke about the times you and he had over the years.I would like to let you and others know just how highly he spoke of you.I have seen his work and he did nothing but quality work.He reupholstered one of my moms favorite chairs and to this day it is so nice that No one is allowed to sit upon it.I seen him a few months after he had his heart problems.At the time he was smoking a cigarette and his son Doug got in a disagreement about him smoking.He just looked at him and said "I'll do what I like."Doug just shook his head and walked away.You should have seen the smirk on his face.He was so proud of his work and had to show you pictures of the work he had done with a deep pride.Please,if you hear from his family tell them I will say a prayer for him and am saddened at their loss.Just tell them that Pat Harmon from Tylersville wished them well.He will be missed. Pat
Guys, Thanks for all the kind words. There were times when Alan was stubborn, like what Pat described in his above post, but Alan was a kind hearted old guy. Here is a story about the kind of guy he was. Alan always did furniture upholstery on the side, there was always an antique couch or sofa in my shop, well one day he was working on a couch for an elderly lady and out popped an engagement ring with a pretty good sized diamond in it. When the lady came to pick up her couch, he asked her if she ever lost anything expensive. She said the only thing she ever lost was a ring, but that was years ago. Alan handed her the ring and she started crying. She lost her husband the year before and was very happy to get something back that he had given her. He also refused to take anything for finding it. He was just glad to help. Today has been a tough day for me. I was helping a friend put the interior in his 1970 LT1 Z28 Camaro when I got the call about his passing. The seat covers were sewn up by Alan. Duane
Duane, My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family...one heck of a guy. You can tell by the quality of work on my car. The world lost a good one...
Duane....I send my deepest regards.Is he the man who did the seats in TOPCAT and was going to do TOPCAT II?A true master craftsman. Peace be with him now......WildBill
Bill, Yes he was the guy that sewed all the wildcat interiors for me, including yours. Sorry but you are on your own now. Duane
