Who Would Have Thought I Would Be Customizing Diecast?
I was born and raised in the heart of North Carolina tobacco farm country; Knightdale NC. My father felt the future in tobacco farming was waning and thought it would be best for me to broaden my ambition above the family farm and find a trade with a future that I would enjoy doing. I chose graphic design and became a design school graduate and professional graphic artist. I am also a certified car nut. I have been fortunate enough to either own or collect many of the cars [both big and small] I love. With the combination of my love of art, graphic design talent, my profession, and interest in all things automotive, diecast customizing seemed like it would be an inevitable merger.
Prior to December 2006, I had already begun to make inroads into diecast customization with my customs for the now famous, or some would say infamous, March 2006 Atlanta Nationals BJ Grammy Chocolate Party and the October 2006 Garden Grove CA Hallow Wheels Bash I. The customs for these events quickly became highly valued and sought after by collectors. This wave of sudden collectibility was further enhanced by my Kringle Delivery VW Drag Bus prototype auction entrant at the 2006 Garden Grove convention that brought in $1,000.00! This was the catalyst for me to begin Pope Designs.
Since December 2006 I have worked very hard to become one of the premier creators of original diecast customs. I strive to produce the most unique and original designs in the customs-for-sale world. Pope Designs routinely sells out every one of their offerings to a devoted fan base across the globe! I personally have criss-crossed the USA and traveled internationally to showcase Pope Designs all the while being fortunate to have made many great friends, won some hard-earned custom contest awards, work with some of the best event organizers and receive one of the highest honors in the Custom Diecast arena, my February 2010 induction into the Diecast Hall of Fame!
In December 2010, Pope Designs began its fifth year of customs-for-sale production. 2011 will include some fresh new ideas including a brand new line of customs with their own theme sold throughout the year in addition to the many great original and convention customs that are coming out. This will all lead to the most ambitious projects Pope Designs has ever created!
As always, I would like to thank my family, friends, fans and patrons for the overwhelming support of Pope Designs.
I hope everyone will sit back and enjoy the ride for 2011; it's going to be a wild and exciting one!
Bryan Pope