Art & Inspiration The First Time Von Dutch Screwed Me

I think he was expecting you to say "I'll give you $50 a not a cent more". Well, enough for a weeks worth of beer anyway

 

I ran into Von Dutch, a few years before he died, at a roadside produce stand near where he lived in Santa Paula. As we parked, I noticed a nice Moto Guzzi Falcone with a sidecar. Sitting on the sidecar seat was an engraved, German helmet with a spike on top. I immediately knew who it belonged to, For a split second, the little devil on my shoulder told me to swipe the helmet and get the hell out of there. Cooler heads and my basic honest nature prevailed. Finally, he walked over with a sack of groceries and I began talking with him about the bike. I never let on that I knew who he was. I worked at the movie studios for quite a while and I know most celebs don't like having their asses kissed. Anyway, he began a rant that I can't even begin to remember or reiterate. It was all over the map about the government, conspiracies, lies, birth certificates, money. After 10 minutes, or so, I slowly backed up and got in my car and split. He was a genius, of sorts, but he was, clearly, confused, if not clinically insane.

 

Rad

 

Cool as shit story, and your dad sounds like he was a helluva guy, cherish the memory and the watch. Nice touch posting Howard's pic upside down as an obvious thumb in the (flying?) eyeball!

 

My thoughts exactly on the upside down pic.

 

Can't wait for the story of the second time, or third..?

 

I want to do the same for my kids. Thanks for writing this, Ryan.

 

Yes, thanks for that.
Your Dad is the real hero here.

 

Great story sounds like Von Dutch. Some times he was an asshole. Pat Ganahl wrote a good book about, the man, the myth, the legend. Your story should have been in that book. Thanks for your story.

 

Kool story! Thanks for sharing.

 

While I apreciate Howard's art and his inventions, young people here should know "Von Dutch" was not really some rebel hero to be emulated.I don't want to trash him, but in reality he was an extremely prejudice person, an extreme alchololic and not very stable. I don't think he was some genius, but more a mentally ill guy, pretty much a sociopath in an age when that was not treated. You can call me a spoil sport
and accuse me of disrespect if you want, but I know more than one person who witnessed his alcholic rants about Jews, blacks, Mexicans etc. And he screwed whole a lot of people.
Great striping, terrible person. I have no ill will to Howard either, but let's keep it REAL.
Sounds like Ryan's Dad was the real hero of this story!

 

yes he does! Great story!

 

I read them all, but this story ranks waaaay up thar' on the awesome list. Very well written, Thanks for sharing.

 

Unstable? Mentally ill? sociopath? Alcoholic? Hell ! Now if my pinstriping was worth a damn, we could have been related!
By the way Ryan,
Your dad sounds like he was worthy of the title "HERO".

 

Ok, I get that and that's cool, it was just my first thought when I saw it, kinda like flying an upside down flag. Guess I didn't go quite deep enough. I wasn't in any way raggin on you for it. Sorry if you took it that way.

 

I met Dutch at the 1st RatFink Reunion. He was walking around with a long-barreled 45 revolver on him. I said "Dutch,whatz with the piece?" His answer: "The paranoids are out to get me..."

 

Nice title from a readers perspective... hard not to click on it.

Great story, your pops was a neat guy.

See ya, -Abone.

 

Thanks Ryan, what a great story, felt like I was in the bus with you guys. INDY 500 from 1980-1992, who did your Dad introduce you to during those years?

 

I'm sorry that your dad isn't with us anymore.If he was,I'd bring him my adoption papers.

 

The logo with the blue wings and the circle (or oval shape), being part of a watch, made me think of a clock face with wings, as in "time flies", from the Latin (if I have this right) "tempus fugit". K6

 

Outstanding !

RIP Doc Cochran.

 

Great story and a great Dad to boot

 

Your Dad was a great man to pull that trip off. That's pretty cool.

 

Great story about a wonderful time. I feel fortunate to have met your dad...cool guy.

 

Actually displaying the flag upside down is not a sign of disrespect, but of distress.

 

That is correct.

 

That's a great story, and the watch is much cooler knowing that he BS'd you into buying it, than it would have been if he'd really done all that work on it.

 

It sounds like your Hero took you to see a legend.

Great story.

 

I for one was never impressed with his pinstriping....it was sloppy......I don't see the Legend in him either.......his name does sell t-shirts though.