0:00
One of the coolest things about the DecoLiner is the fact that you can drive it from the roof
0:06
I always get asked, is that legal? Well, it's not illegal, and it's a very fine line
0:13
I was never a big motor homer. I always thought it was kind of weird driving around in a big box and sleeping in it. Then I built the decker
0:29
It's really cool. We had a lot of fun with it. I put over 15,000 miles on the deco liner
0:35
The wife and I drove all over America. While building the deco liner, Randy invested over $100,000 in parts and a whole lot of time
0:45
The deco liner was a 6,000-hour build, executed over an 18-month period
0:52
I know, do the math. It's a serious medical condition. That's seven days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day
1:00
There were only 15 days taken off. Yeah, I have issues, obviously
1:05
It's not based on anything else. The chassis under the DecoWiner started as a 1973 GMC motorhome That motorhome was a very iconic motorhome It was way ahead of its time The deco liner has a 455 oles
1:23
and a front-wheel drive system in it. Most motorhomes, you walk up a flight of stairs
1:28
to get above the engine and the drive train. Because the deco-liner is front-wheel drive
1:33
the frame is only 14 inches off the ground, and it allowed me to stack the roof
1:37
and still keep it under the 13. keep it under the 13-6 legal max here in the States
1:42
The vehicle was recently sold for half a million dollars. I had seen the deco liner on a couple television shows
1:50
and I always loved the design of it, the art deco aspect of the vehicle
1:55
By happenstance, I met somebody who knew Randy discovered that the vehicle was for sale
2:00
so we arranged a meeting and worked out a deal. It's an amazing vehicle to be involved with
2:06
because everybody smiles profusely at it. It just brings a lot of joy to people
2:12
I've always thought of the deco liner as Flash Gordon's Motorhome. It's one of the coolest things about the deco liners
2:19
the fact that you can drive it from the roof. I always get asked is that legal Well it not illegal and it a very fine line For a policeman to pull you over and write you a ticket
2:34
he's got to put down what vehicle code you violated. And there's nothing on the books about driving a car from the roof
2:43
And it will probably come as no surprise that this isn't Randy's first build
2:49
This is what I do for fun and profit. I actually make a living building these crazy vehicles
2:56
A lot of people know me for the J-Leno tank car. That was the very first car that I built
2:59
and that really put me on the map. Believe me, when J-Leno buys your car
3:03
and gives it the thumbs up, you're a hero. So here we are in Frank and Muth, Michigan
3:11
There's this giant car show, really had fun bringing the Deco liner
3:15
and letting everybody see it and experience it firsthand. When I negotiated the deal for the Deco-Lenka
3:21
I also negotiated a deal for one of the decopod motorbikes. And after I got to know Randy better
3:27
and got to experience the quality of his work, we create a new vehicle, a roadster
3:32
The deco liner is the center of attention wherever it goes One of the lessons that I learned very early on about the deco liner is that there a certain responsibility that comes with driving it I was driving it to its debut in the Portland Art Museum up in Portland Oregon
3:49
And I was late. It's showtime. And I'm mobbed at the gas station with everybody wanting to know what this crazy thing is
3:56
So I'm finally get fueled up and I'm like, I need to go, I need to go, you guys. And then here comes a bus full of 30 deaf kids
4:03
They all surround me and the guy who's asking me questions. and he's signing to the kids
4:09
and I'm in a hurry and I've got to go. That's when it really hit me
4:14
Wow. You don't have time for 30 deaf kids? What's wrong with you, guy
4:21
That's when I realized when you bring the circus to town, you better have the patience
4:27
to deal with the response, the smiles and the joy and letting the kids go up on the upper deck
4:35
That's what floats my boat. It's really an honor and a privilege to drive this thing and make people smile and laugh wherever it goes
