Randy DeLisio owns DeLisio’s Performance in Lyons, Wayne County. DeLisio began his career 28 years ago building race cars and doing custom automotive work. It wasn’t long before he quickly learned his true calling, restoring classic American muscle cars.

DeLisio can't remember a time when he didn't love cars. A trusting father put a welder in his hands at the age of twelve and turned him loose.

He says of his father, "He liked making things and he passed that ability on to me."

DeLisio’s commitment to authenticity has drawn national attention. Restoration work has come in from all over the country. As a result, the slow pace of life in Wayne County has not been much of a factor on DeLisios business. That suits him just fine. He says nothing will take him away from Clyde, NY, the small town he calls home.

"When you’re born and raised here, I know everyone and everyone knows me."

Delisios favorite restoration is a 1964 Ford Thunderbolt 427 Fairlane. Ford built 100 of these cars. There are only about 60 left, and of those Delisio has restored 17 of them. 'Nazy Crate' is his favorite. It represents about 600 hours of work.

"Once you see this car, it's something that doesn't leave peoples mind in a hurry."

“To do something like this,” he says, “you must have a burning desire to succeed. It's a lot of long hours. It’s hard work and it’s not a ‘get rich quick’ scheme."

At 59 DeLisio says he is slowing down. With no desire to let life get stuck in neutral, he plans to become a classic car appraiser.

“I never went to work one day in my life. I always went to play."

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Dragstrip Demons