Steve Kafka's interview inside the Von Dutch Bus

The Von Dutch Project is now available for distribution. www.thevondutchproject.com

[@jameswulzen590]

When I was 17 I sent a letter to Howard and asked for help and he answered me with a drawing called " Viking on roller skates" and a letter on how to mis paint ( I used signwriters titainium white) in a tube, add Japan dryer, load the grumbacher striping brush ( still have it ) that was the brush at the time. I used Mack and Grums, as we called them. Nothing else was offered back in the 50's, I'm 84 years old now and still stripe. It's a lost art now only a few left that still do it on a regular basis. I use one shot lettering paint now and with the wrap stuff offered and decals that will go away in the future. I was also taught by Tommy the Greek in his Oakland shop, he was the best line striper I have ever seen to date, he ws a great guy.

[@atpilot]

There will be a documentary about the bus and Von Dutch and his life out sometime early summer.

[@dennisschell5543]

Bless you Steve...and thanks!

[@bbarker5766]

Wow... Great interview and very inspiring project! I think it's great that you are doing this because loosing part of history if terrible but this is just awesome because of the history of this bus and the man who owned it is phenomenal! Swamp Fox, I'm a machinist and there are times that I use only my calipers it just depends on what you're dong... I don't know what all he did but I know several old machinists and they don't always use micrometers and they are amazing to watch!!

[@ERone43]

amazing, love your sincerity, great work, I'd be honored to lay eyes on that bus much less be asked to restore it. I agree that it is the holy grail- Headquarters for a tidal wave of creativity that inspired generations of artists to come.

[@stevekafka]

I wasn’t asked I hawked my home to buy it! Now it’s time to sell it...

[@libbietriche608]

This is amazing! I am looking forward to seeing it in person. You have done a kick ass job. My son's girlfriend watched it with me and she was amazed by the history of it.

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

Awesome

[@stevekafka]

Thanks Joe, they are coming this Friday to see the bus ,from the History channel, doing a story on Dutch.

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

@@stevekafka cool

[@Salvo66us]

What a piece of history! Mr. Kafka, I had no idea you were located here in the valley... I have seen some of your videos on lettering and such... Very inspiring! It would be nice to shake your hand! ;)

[@stevekafka]

On the corner of Peoria and Cave Creek rd. Cell is 602-284-1230 I’m not there all the time...

[@nickcapozzoli]

That thing was runnin 220 volts out in what year?! ... wild...

[@stevekafka]

On Oct 17 th the History channel will air a show called “Fully Torqued” about the restoration of Von Dutch Bus. If you have an interest in the Kustom Kulture be sure to watch it.

[@randy1ization]

I wonder if one shot paint would sponsor a bus tour.

[@stevekafka]

texas tough one shot is currently owned by PPG and evidently the promotional dept is run by several ladies that have zero clue of the Kustom Kulture idea, thus are very reluctant to speak to any well knowns in the trade.

[@12345NoNamesLeft]

No need for that music. Let's hear the guy

[@stanleysteamer3212]

It sucks how everybody makes tons of money off a great artist work after they are dead..

[@stevekafka]

stanley steamer ya, including his two daughters too

[@stanleysteamer3212]

@@stevekafka my point is it's too bad he never got see any of it in his lifetime..

[@stevekafka]

@@stanleysteamer3212 the story goes that he had little respect for money, and claimed poverty keeps you honest…one pair of overalls ,one pair of boots etc, Dick Odette , his close friend told me that there was a stash of money somewhere on the bus that he would access when he needed money…I’ve never seen it…

[@stevekafka]

Also ,I didn’t appraise it. I did it out of respect for the art form, I’m also not making it the pig pen that he lived in, again out of respect for the art form, young people are getting involved in this art form and I don’t want them thinking that they should be drunks..get it?

[@stanleysteamer3212]

@@stevekafka well I guess your probably right..I'm sure he would be happy that somebody cared enough to do what your doing..My dad had him stripe a motorcycle helmet when he lived in that thing in Tempe..he charged him 15 bucks!.lol..take care