Joining his love for cars, community, and exceptional taste, Dan Collier AKA PizzaMan Dan enlists his daily driver to serve as a rolling mascot for his family owned business. Currently managing operations of his five pizzerias located in Ventura County, California, Owner/Operator-PizzaMan Dan spends a good amount of a normal work day traveling between locations via his screaming pepperoni wrapped 1972 C3 Corvette.
Dan acquired the Vette just over a year ago in less than stellar condition. As he began the repairs he thought, “What better way to bring together his passion for pizza and Corvettes?”
In our chat with PizzaMan Dan, he shared “I am a pizza guy, have been for 30 years. No one calls me Dan, they call me PizzaMan Dan. I’ve loved Corvettes since I bought my first one in 1984. Seemed like pairing the two passions was the right thing to do. My inspiration was the Hot Wheels Pizza Vette. What boy doesn’t want grow up and drive a real Hot Wheels car?”
PizzaMan Dan’s attention has been focused primarily on the exterior and engine bay, but the car has seen a complete overhauling with exception of the interior, which is left in its original form. Currently powered by a 454 cubic-inch 7.4-liter V8 big block motor mated to a four-speed Muncie M21 gearbox, the car produces around 275 hp.
Despite the obvious, changes to the C3 include: a Holly carburetor, Power Torque HD clutch, four-bolt main cap, ram-air intake, Moroso Ultra 40 race spark plug wires, Accel Super Stock coil, Hookers Racing headers/resonator side pipes, a steering system converted to rack and pinion, as well as American Racing wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich 215/70/15 tires.
Well known in Ventura county, PizzaMan Dan can usually be found immersing himself in local community events like the weekend car show down the block to making appearances in the town parades. Amassing attention where ever he goes, this heartfelt creation is one man’s testament to a love for bringing friends and family together via a hot meal and a Hot Wheels inspired ride.