Start reading here:
http://selvedgeyard.com/2009/05/06/kenny-howard-the-pinstriper-known-as-von-dutch/
about one of the most-prolific stripers, ever. Many of the old-time car customizers used pinstriping as a means to keep the customers rolling-in. Not everyone could afford a custom styled car, bike, or truck, but everyone could afford to throw some $ at pinstriping your ride. Pay for what you can afford, you could always add more later. Here is a shot of the man himself, working in the shop of the guy who doubled for Steve McQueen jumping the barbed-wire fence in that famous scene from the "Great Escape" movie, a true-story based version (w/Hollywood-liberties, natch) of American and British POW's during WW II.
In one of my books there is a great story about a customer who brought his car to Ken Howard for some work to be done. "Von Dutch" would turn-down a prospective customer if he didn't like the guy, and Ken also got to the point where he would do what he wanted, based on what the customer was willing to pay. In other words, you gave the artist your $, and your ride, and he'd give it back when he was done, w/what he decided to paint on it. You didn't tell him what you wanted, he did what he wanted to do.
So, this guy drives into the shop w/a car, pays his money, and a bit later is told, "come-get your car, it's done." When he gets there, he doesn't see any external pinstriping on the car's exterior. Nothing, nowhere. He slides into the driver's seat, and as he's looking around, he notices a musical note or two by the radio. Looking further, he sees they seem to be leading to the ashtray (remember those?) whereupon he pulls-out the ashtray, and sees that Von Dutch had painted a symphony orchestra inside the ashtray!
Authenticated Von Dutch painted works can sell for 5 or 6 figures. He was also a gunsmith, blacksmith and engraver who made his own firearms and knives, and who elaborately decorated them.
At that web link, be sure to check-out some of the other content, cool stuff for those of us who grew-up in the '50's-'70's! Lots of motorcycling-related content there as well as lifestyles of the era. Great pics!
unk:
