posted
Hey Bob, you don't happen to have any photos of the inside of the bus, do you?
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
wow, Bob! I was also interested in seeing the inside. Too bad it was stripped, but, I bet there may be a lot of artwork drawn onto that table top, perhaps not...it's still great to dream.
I can dream since my dad was really a lover of pinstriping and lettering and lived in the Keys in a trailer, first decked out like a ship with a steering wheel overlooking the gulf, then it burned down, but he then went to an airstream. He was a very interesting character and living down there and visiting him formed a lot of my character too. He loved Von Dutch's work and others and gave me my first mack stripers left from another signperson that came every winter, named "Gary". I admire you man, Bob, for doing so much with all of Von Dutch's legacy. You're a great person.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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posted
I just talked to one of my customers, who just got back from that auction. He said the bidding had started at $500,000.00 and went down from there. He said that there was just two guys bidding on it. But what does a person do with it? I would love to see the look on whoever bought it wife's face, when she sees that bus being towed onto her driveway. And when she says' What's that?" Von who? You paid how much?
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3816 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3816 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
I bet his wife made him do it. "It's me or that bus Charlie!"
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3816 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
i would'a said,, Your right honey, you make a good dinner, and you can bait a hook, but, i'm goona miss ya a bunch..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Just got off the phone with Steve Kafka. He's the proud owner now of the BUS. It's in for a full restorsation so if anybody out there has any pictures or knowledge about the Bus, PLEASE contact Steve or myself (I'll pass it on to Steve). Any INPUT from LETTERVILLE would be SO COOL!
posted
I guess the secret is finally out and I'm happy as I had all this information from Steve kafka and yet promised not to say a word. I guess Steve probably kicked himself for not attending the auction to begin with, being only 4 or 5 miles from it and could have saved a bundle. I was in that bus many years back when some miserable SOB lived in it. I met Dutch at a friends shop where I stored my racecar on Sepulveda and Ventura blvd in the 60's theis fella Tom introduced me to him and Audie Murphey at different times of course. I think dutch and the bus was in Calabasas at the time but I could be mistaken.
Oh well enough memories for this ol'man
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
That is something to trip on, never got to meet Von Dutch, but I do remember eating pancakes Kiersten had made, with you and Frank Magoo at the Percells last year. I was the younger guy among you two, kind of funny in a way, when I get around younger people I feel like the older guy. Anyway it was interesting to hear you guys talk about ole Von Dutch (Kenny Howard)
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
As long as a man has his sh(t togther in one spot....it makes sense. The bus just happened to be that spot for a magic artist with a mind of his own. Like it or not the cat was one enigma that could not be touched by society and the game of life as we all know it. I call it "Von Dutch Blues" It just doesn't need to be explained, it just is.
Jack
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
I don't know if you realize this Stephen but I would say that a good 99% of persons here haven't a clue to what it is that you exactly do for a living. If you are part of this website which includes sign folks and pinstripers maybe you can include some of your work and give us some of your expertise in this field and leave the remarks back in Lower Sackville.
BTW Stephen I live on Nova Scotia Lox
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
I think I have placed more artwork than you have on this site! Can you please show us the talent of you strips! So you say you lived here in Nova Scotia? I doubt that my friend... But if you like to visit my Blog. or "HRM" Nova Scotia Please do so at your spare time!
Lower Sackville! What a place to be!!
Sorry 'Bobby Burns' This space is taking! Nice to see your work as well!..... Can I see some more?
I am cleaning my nose with my kleenex! With new ideas
Sorry guys.... I got to go as I have better things to do with designs...
[ January 28, 2007, 08:17 PM: Message edited by: Stephen Deveau ]
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
I'm with Alicia and Nettie too, guys. It looks like something my son scrapped a few years ago. It's already been stripped of anything that looks valuable. What will they auction off next? Who else will benefit from the cash cow that this has turned into? Seems like he is worth more dead than alive....more's the pity. He could probably have used the money that people are falling over themselves to spend on his stuff now. I'm also getting a bit tired of the Stephen bashing. That doesn't seem to be how I thought Letterheads behaved. Love....jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Stephen, it says I live on Nova Scotia Lox, LOX, do you know what LOX is? Reading isn't your strong point I see.
Blog! do I see a link on any of your posts for your blog?
Jill, there is alot of valuable stuff in the bus as well as how valuable this bus has become and the driveline has been rebuilt is the past six months which now makes it drivable. Steve Kafka bought the bus to restore and turn into a museum, he paid 200 grand for it, know any signman with that kind of cash.
As far as John and Rick, may they rest in peace. Ten years ago and I'm sure I'm not alone, I hadn't a clue who either were but the Dutchmans name has been synonomously linked to pinstriping and the custom car culture for over 50 years and there are more stories on this guy than any ten signmen put together and you can throw in Walt Disney too. I'm not faulting anyone or putting them down in any way shape or form but unless they were born in a carrot patch off the beaten path and never knew who Von Dutch was then theres no excuse because whether or not he was or wasn't liked for his way of life and style, he certainly is an Icon to this day.
I could remember Chester Cunningham, Emmette Morelli who I worked with, Al Zanetti, Rick Glawson and also John Jordan whom I've never met but I cannot remember where any of them had all the woldwide stories which keeps them alive on a daily basic for which is why the VonDutch name does to this day and the prick died in 92.
I must add that alot of this non remembrance is because of the seperation of your business from paint to vinyl unlike pinstriping and the younger crowd wanting to and keeping this craft alive every day from the time he passed. I'm really trying to be nice but its hard to tell the truth when so many haven't a clue to what has been going on for all these years and now they are just getting into it after reading a couple of books and going to a couple of meets.
I'm not sorry for my reply but am sorry that others can determine what someones motives are just by looking at the words and not understanding what was written.
I'm also tired of hearing how business is bad while sitting on your dupa and how cold calls are against your statagy to make ends meet or how going out of your town is out of the question while those from out of town invade yours. The questions go on and on and yet the answers are always the same.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
Joey and Bob........ You both like to burn Bridges!!!!! Shall we talk about real things like....Graphics or just place I live at..... Lower Sackvville.... Nova Scotia.... Oh! by the way that's in Canada?
[ January 28, 2007, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Stephen Deveau ]
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
Von Dutch was a very different sort of fellow from what I've heard and read. Unlike others here I never met the man, only known him from accounts I have read and tales I've heard...
He certainly influenced automotive art and lots of other things too in the artworld.
His antics regarding how he treated folks (badly for the most part) are legendary. In some folks eyes that alone made him worth looking up to. OK for them, but it didn't do much for me. Although I like striping and automotive art, my world doesn't revolve around it by any stretch of imagination.
The place where he chose to live and work speak of his rebellion against society. It was his choice. That's OK too, even if its hard for me to understand.
To some this bus is worth a lot... even stripped of much of what made it belong to the automotive icon. Obviously a few were willing to put their money where their mouth is. Another OK from me.
All that being said the sad carcass of a bus wouldn't get a second look from me and little chance of a bid- even if I had the money.
From what I hear Von Dutch didn't want or need much money when he was alive - by his choice. It makes me sad to see folks on both sides suing and counter suing over who has the rights to his estate. It also makes me sad to see others now profiting from what he left behind, powered by greed for the most part.
I'd rather celebrate the things which pleased me about his art, back when he was alive and doing the work... the rest... well, lets just get on with life.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have to agree with Joey! Rick Glawson, Chester Cunningham, John Jordan, Al Zanetti, Ed Roth and many more were/are masters of their art, but as a rule, know only within their trade. Exception: being referred to customers by those who knew of their talents.
Von Dutch (Kenny Howard) was an exception to all the standard rules. He was know world over for his talents and exploits. He hated money and all that it brought into life. He was extremely inventive and a master of pinstriping, signs, art, mechanics, guns and knives. The exploiting of his name on fashion items must have him turning over in his grave….he would have hated it.
Now as far as the worth of his bus. Von Dutch was not the kind of neighbor anyone wanted. He was a dour lil guy who would rather insult you than say hello. His hate of material things made his place a noisy eyesore. After many threats by the City, he bought the bus and moved his ‘stuff’ into it and lived there. It was a combination machine shop, art studio and home.
Now for all of you that don’t know, and say what makes him an Icon … if you see a group of old sign guys, pinstripers, car buffs and/or mechanics … just ask. They will regale you with story after story of him and the crazy stuff he did.
Now that you know about Von Dutch … stop the inane comments … or I will send the Madden & Burns Dynamic Duo to your place to stand around and bad mouth you!
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3485 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Vinyl slappers and keyboard jockeys won't get it Joey and Bob, they don't have the background...
Having never to have learned a craft, they are incapable of understanding loyalty to a craft and the concept of remembering your heritage, in all fairness, they don't have a heritage to look back upon in the same craft lite we do...as they belong to the new way, they can't see where it is that crafters come from, understandably, but we crafters do and it's human nature to preserve the past, if for nothing else, to have it as a reminder to not do that again, but mostly to reveiw what has been done, which of course leads to vision for someone today to produce tommorrows stuff...
All that said, this country is full of little/big exhibits of things that belonged to someone famous before they died, nothing wrong w/that now is there? Elvis must have a thousand little museums scattered around this land and beyond, how is it "you" get this, but not a bus, beats me, sounds like arguing for the sake of argument...
I wholeheartedly support Steve Kafka in his efforts to restore this bus and keep it's history accurate(the reason for call out for old photos/stories that pertained to Dutch), when done, yes it could very well end up in the Smithsoniam(sp), it is a part of American history and definitely represents the times as far as the period this country rebeled...it was all about rebellion during those years, or didn't the flower children thing really happen and I've imagined it all? Not the case, it did happen and it was all about revolt and rebellion, enough so that this country took a huge course change afterwards and hasn't looked back yet!!!
So why all the critques and criticism over this bus? You'd think being in the industry we are and how fragile our heritage is, all would be up cheering for one of us doing what they think is right, and if it has to go there, it's not your money now is it? What claim upon that money do you legitimently have, do you really think Steve gives a rats patootie what you nay sayers are saying? He didn't acquire his wealth,(enough to squander away selling price of this bus and a whole lot more to come to finish it) by being a fence sitter and going thru life taking as it came, no, Steve is and always has been a man of vision and lots of energy and when directed, positive results come in gobs...look around, half the stuff out there is available because of Steve, his latest effort is w/Blick to bring hard to find items to industry more readily, so become more informed before jumping on a popular ship and make absolute fools of yourselves in bagging on someone that's out there doing it, not talking about it....
BTW, restoring bus will also make it one of few Dutch items not in a private collection, another reason Steve did this, almost all of Dutch's stuff was bought by one buyer and stored in a warehouse miles from civilization, never to be veiwed by the public again, at least until he sells or dies, and if he's in his mid thirties, that could be awhile. So in essence, Steve is making it possible for the public to veiw one of his belongings......and before someone goes there, what the hell's wrong w/living the way he(Dutch) did? You'd be surprised to find out some of your modern day heros live just like that, right damn now!!! They lesser men because of that? Damn rights they're not!!!
So in closing, let's just let it be, enough is enough, OK?
Don't agree? Cool, just don't announce it, fair? Like stated going in, this isn't about "you", it's about a bus that a icon, like him or not, used to own, his aura is still there, it's the thing to do and again, it's not my or your monies, so why are you concerned to the point of rudeness? Doesn't make sense to me, what does though is if you have anything from that bus or Dutch, pertaining to that bus or it's contents, please give Burns or Kafka a call...it's important to us, so give us a break, we don't hound you on your special projects, leave ours alone unless you have something positive to say or contribute...
(ps: Stephen, if you end up as famous as Dutch, that Saturn would bring a wad more than that!!!)(AD-that is-lol)
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
all i got to say ....STEVE D. you probably have a t-shirt with VON DUTCH on it....AND BELIVE THAT HE IS A CLOTHING DESIGNER....i been to nova soctia, dallhousie and campbelton, mocton & st johns............THERE IS NO ART THERE!!!! ONLY SNOW AND COLD AND JULY FOR SUMMER!!!!!! i cant agree with jill that get bashed....YOU CREATE THE BASHING.....since you have no idea who von dutch is or what a diamond reo is(this was his pickup truck) then WHY IN THE HEEL DID YOU EVEN POST HERE!!!! that livin in an igloo gettin to you???????????? as for your car WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT IT....YOU ARENT KNOW PAST THE EDGE OF YOUR TOWN.... now just stop bein a A.H.
[ January 29, 2007, 01:30 AM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
No, no, no...this will not go the way of posts of past when they got personal, this isn't about "us", it's about a bus... that is going to go thru a restoration at the hands of very talented, dedicated artist, Alton Gillespie. He and Steve have carved a deal, it will be restored to as close to it's original condition as research and memories will allow...
I didn't write earlier what I did to focus on one person, it was a blanket statement...it's intent wasn't to incite, rather to explain why it's important to receive all w/same open mind as you do w/your own...
I'm first to admit I know that alot of meaning is lost in written words w/o luxury of seeing them uttered, but what is evident here to me is some ppl. that are misinformed or uniformed on the subject and probably would have a totally different opinion on this particular portion of the subject if better informed as to nature of the truer story...
I'm also first to tell you, Dutch was a PITA, but all that doesn't cut a hill of beans, he's the one that got enough ink to become the indentifiable icon of the era, so we work and live w/what's given us, can't change the past...and speaking of the past...(and remember, these are blanket statements); Isn't it common knowledge amongest artists that they don't get fair and due aclaim until after death and when they do prior, it's nowhere near in scope to the one coming after death... To make money on the death of an icon has and is BIG business today, as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow too...I'm sure Bruckner doesn't consider his "take" adequate compensation for taking care of Dutch all those years, but some think of his "take" as astronomical, perception, very important to know it's the correct one when dealing on the subject...some facts are still facts, but when veiwed from a different perspective, reveal a different truth...
Truth is, bus was quite the marvel when he first finished it, had to see it to believe it, I was impressed...he lived, worked and played in it, as tight as it was, he made it work like a swiss watch...as explained earlier, it will probably be one of few, if any, collectibles outside of a private collection...
Steve's hope is to get the word out as soon and far as possible to try and get to the pieces and photos of the bus before they're lost forever or outpriced to be affordable for the restoration...his focus is accuracy...I hope we can remain focused on what's important here, THE BUS...
btw; it has new running gear and driveline, brakes and wheels...it isn't totally a wreck!!! lol
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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