2026 Hall of Fame: Paul Dulik
May 26, 2026
Paul graduated from WyoTech’s Laramie campus in 2004, completing programs in Body and Paint, Upholstery, Hot Rod, and Chassis Fabrication. During his time at WyoTech, he earned Perfect Attendance and was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. His favorite instructor was Mike Wibbens, whose influence played an important role in his training.
Paul’s introduction to hot rods began in a small town outside Omaha, Nebraska, when he saved his money to buy a 1971 Camaro with just 18,000 original miles. He eventually sold that car to purchase a computer and pursue a degree in computer engineering. However, it didn’t take long for Paul to realize that the traditional four‑year university path wasn’t his calling. After time spent in San Diego and Hollywood, he found himself searching for work that felt more tangible and meaningful.
That moment came when he saw a WyoTech commercial on television. Paul remembers thinking, “Hey, I can work on hot rods for a living. That would be pretty cool.” In 2002, he arrived in Laramie, ready to get started.
Paul began in an overflow Body and Paint class, with Upholstery as his very first course—a field he had never previously considered. Within ten seconds of opening the textbook, he experienced what he describes as a “lightbulb moment.” Watching videos of legendary upholsterer Sid Chavers in class further fueled his inspiration, and from that point forward, the dream of building hot rods took shape. Paul maximized his time at WyoTech, diving into Hot Rod and Chassis Fabrication and even chopping the top on his ’51 Chevy during the Street Rod class.
His transition into the professional world was defined by perseverance. After graduating, Paul took a job as the sole upholsterer at a high‑end shop in Kansas City, where he was quickly fired due to his lack of experience. Undeterred, he returned to Omaha in search of upholstery work—only to find few opportunities. Eventually, he connected with Tim McCartney at Midstates Auto Upholstery, where Paul worked a night job so he could spend his days learning in the shop, unpaid.
That commitment paid off. After gaining experience in welding and industrial sewing, Paul made the bold decision to open his own business, Stitchin’ Auto Upholstery, in 2007 at just 26 years old—with less than two years of full‑time experience.
Over the next decade, Paul grew from basic repair work into the high‑level custom interiors he had always envisioned. A major turning point came in 2017 with advanced training at Mobile Solutions, which shifted his focus entirely to custom hot rods. In 2019, he rebranded his business as Starline Hot Rod Interiors, allowing him to concentrate exclusively on custom work.
In 2023, Paul’s journey came full circle when his interior work on a 1960 Buick Invicta earned the Stitch of Excellence at the Grand National Roadster Show—an achievement that allowed him to personally meet his early inspiration, Sid Chavers. Today, Paul leads a talented team at Starline, continuing to push the boundaries of quality and design. Proving that curiosity, grit, and refusing to settle for “good enough” can lead to a Hall of Fame career.