Bryan Stalder
Contributor

Kansas City has lost one of its most cherished creative spirits. Joe Pace, beloved custom car builder, maker of iconic movie replica cars, and longtime fixture of Northeast, passed away on Sunday, March 1 — leaving behind a legacy celebrated by friends, fans, and car lovers across the country.

Joe was more than a builder — he was a storyteller who brought imagination to life through metal, paint, and sheer determination. From his body shop on the corner of Independence Avenue and Monroe, Joe built some of the most memorable replicas of beloved Hollywood vehicles, including the Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine and the Ghostbusters Ecto-1. These rolling works of art didn’t just look the part — they captured the wonder of the movies themselves and sparked joy in generations of fans.

His lifelong passion for cars began in childhood, nurtured by family and community. As a young man he learned the trade early, eventually opening Pace’s Body Shop on Independence Avenue in 1978 — a local hub where craftsmanship met creativity. It was here that Joe began transforming everyday vehicles into unforgettable icons of pop culture. Through countless hours of labor, creativity, and heart, he became known not just for what he built, but for how he made people feel.

Those “movie cars” weren’t just projects — they were beloved neighborhood fixtures. For years, families visiting Scare-It Halloween and other city events would line up to see Joe’s creations, talk with him, and share in the fun that came with his work. His cars toured shows, conventions, and even landed on permanent display at the Celebrity Car Museum in Branson, Missouri — testaments to his talent and the impact his work had beyond Kansas City. 

Friends and fellow builders remember Joe not just as an exceptional craftsman, but as a warm, generous, unmistakable presence in the car community. Tributes flooding in on social media describe him as a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration to anyone who ever dreamed of turning passion into something real and shared. 

Earlier memories — including a visit to the Northeast News offices in 2022 when we revisited his story — capture Joe’s boundless enthusiasm and humility. Even as he faced health challenges in recent years, his love for connection and creativity never wavered. 

Joe Pace built cars that took people back in time, but more importantly, he touched lives in the present — sparking curiosity, smiles, and memory after memory. His spirit will live on in every engine rev, every gleaming hood, and every child wide-eyed at the sight of something extraordinary on wheels.

He will be deeply missed, and fondly remembered by all who knew him and admired his work. 

A Celebration of Life for Pace will be held on Saturday, March 28 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Boulevard Drive-In Theater, 1051 Merriam Lane, in Kansas City, KS. Attendees are encouraged to bring their hot rods, motorcycles, and custom cars to celebrate… exactly the way Pace would have wanted to be remembered.