Having grown up a good chunk of my life in Arizona, it was of particular interest to me when my buddy from the internets and writer extraordinaire, Bart Boule, clued me in on this interesting bit…interesting if you’re into this sorta thing, that is–
“…Von Dutch had a studio in the netherlands riverbottom between Scottsdale and Tempe — where the amazing club JD’s was, that Waylon Jennings and the Waylors were in residency, so that cowboys and fratboys could kick each others asses when Paul Revere and the Raiders or Buffalo Springfield played there…”
This sent me on a quest to dig up whatever I could find on this lost chapter of Von Dutch’s eccentric & electric existence. Then, what I’d been looking for turned up during a google image search (better than porn any day…heck, Von Dutch and “Big Daddy” Roth are my porn…), a long lost article, “Von Dutch is Still Alive and Living in Arizona.” Bingo. It’s chock full of priceless, colorful quotes from hizzoner, Mr. Von Dutch– and written by his good friend, Bob Burns, for the March, ’72 issue of Road Rider magazine.
This was a time when Von Dutch had moved to Phoenix from California with his wife, Sheila, and their kids to “get away from the race.” He wanted no part of California any longer. Dutch wanted to take it slow and easy– and do and honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay…
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“Steve McQueen had the first two Honda Fours in this country– and he gave them to me to tear into and customize.”
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article via CHOP CULT
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The Selvedge Yard 
Cool I heard that he was in Arizona. I love Tempe in the fall. Never, never in the summer. We visit Phoenix often.
If you need to send me on a wild goose chase to get pics of his old place you can.. but first you need an address for me to go off of ;oP I read this article not too long ago, I was surprised to see that he was living in AZ.
Looks like Von Dutch, the fashion brand was more then “Inspired” while making their logo…..
The Von Dutch “fashion” brand is just a way to make money from something that is dead now, and was once great. My guess is that Ken Howard is rolling in his grave over the use of his trade name. I just laugh when I see people wearing Von Dutch and they don’t know the history.
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It was so cool to read this post. My wifes stepfather worked at a van customizing shop a few doors down from a guy known as Von Dutch during his time in Arizona. He said there was always a ton of cool cars and other vehicles coming in and out of his garage constantly. I never read anything about him being in AZ until now so it helps solidify my questions about wether it was the original Von Dutch or not, pretty cool, Thanks!
“Von Dutch and “Big Daddy” Roth are my porn…) ” …..
exactly why i love you… xoxo
trouble with tooling round scottsdale is i always end up in the TT ROADHOUSE-hard to make it out-von dutch lives!
Ken Howard (Von Dutch) died on September 19th, 1992. That article was written in 1972 when Mr. Howard did a short stint in AZ.
When I bite the big one…..he’s one dude I’m going to look up.
Mick,
I hope no one thought I was unaware if Dutch being deceased – I was quoting the title of the article, and was having fun with the irony of it. To your point, I can see how it would be easy to draw that conclusion though.
Best,
JP
JP,
It really wasn’t a matter of us thinking you didn’t know. I just noticed a couple remarks above and thought I’d set the record straight.
However, I do feel a little like I probably “Grinched” this whole thing because Ken probably would have loved nothing better than to start a rumor like this.
My apologies for being the “spoiler” here, but I still think Ken is probably still laughing his rear end off right now. Another great article!!
his family still lives in AZ….daughters and grandchildren. and not even close to rich as you may think…. barely makin it by