Kenny Howard
| Von Dutch | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Kenneth Robert Howard September 7, 1929 Los Angeles, California |
| Died | September 19, 1992 (aged 63) Ventura, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Self-educated |
| Known for | Hot-Rod art, gunsmithing, automobile customizing and pinstriping |
| Notable work | Monkeemobile |
| Movement | Kustom Kulture |
Kenneth Robert Howard (September 7, 1929–September 19, 1992),also known as Dutch, Von Dutch, or J. L. Bachs (Joe Lunch Box), was a motorcycle mechanic, artist, pinstriper, metal fabricator, knifemaker and gunsmith. His father, Wally Howard, was a Los Angeles sign painter; and, by the age of ten, the young Howard was able to paint and letter at a professional level.
The "Von Dutch" nickname was intended to mean "stubborn as a Dutchman." However, is not Dutch, but German - for "of," whereas the Dutch cognate is .
As the son of a sign painter, Howard learned to letter and pin stripe professionally by the age of ten. While attending Compton High School, Howard excelled in track and field and was referred to as "the fastest man in LA". Family members gave him the nickname "Dutch" because he was "as stubborn as a Dutchman", he added the "Von" prefix later as an artistic signature.
Howard started earning money in the 1950s by pin-striping along with fellow striper Dean Jeffries. Von Dutch has been a major influence in the customizing of vehicles from the 1950s to today. Some of his famous works include the flying eyeball and the custom Kenford truck, along with numerous custom motorcycles and many award-winning custom cars. Among many custom car and motorcycle enthusiasts, he is thought of as one of the fathers of Kustom Kulture.
An avid gunsmith and knife maker, Von Dutch made numerous art knives and embellished firearms. Most of these were adaptations of existing items to which he added his artistic flair. In 1958, Von Dutch designed and produced the "Mare's Leg", a cut-down Winchester rifle for the television series Wanted: Dead or Alive.
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