Von Dutch: The Art, The Myth, The Legend

Von Dutch is more than just a patch on some trendy celebrity's trucker cap — born Kenneth Howard and nicknamed Von Dutch, he was a beatnik artist and pinstriper who became a pivotal figure in hot rod history and pop culture.

Considered the founder of "modern" pinstriping, he became a cult celebrity among hot rodders, surfers, and artists in the 1950s and '60s. Besides being a striper, Dutch was a gifted artist, machinist, and gun- and knife-smith. Dutch and his work were profiled, copied, and revered, while stories of his exploits spread faster and lasted longer than the pinstriping craze he fostered.

However, the larger his legend became, the more he tired of it. He eventually became a recluse, living in a converted bus that served as both living quarters and a machine shop. As the years went by, the stories continued to grow, even as his public presence faded. 
Using stories and quotes culled from interviews, vintage photos, and images of the art and other works he left behind, Von Dutch: The Art, The Myth, The Legend chronicles Kenneth Howard's life from pinstriping beatnik to bus-dwelling hermit. Where he can, author and noted hot-rod historian Pat Ganahl sets the record straight on Von Dutch the man, but in many cases, conflicting stories serve to illustrate the contrary, colourful, and sometimes difficult nature of the Von Dutch legend.

With over 310 photos of Von Dutch and his work, this book is a must-have for fans of hot rodding and hot rod culture! 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cartech Inc (30 June 2005)
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 191 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1884089985
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 25.4 x 1.91 x 25.4 cm