World Famous Von Hot Rod will be pinstriping items in the SEMA Silent Auction area from Tuesday thru Thursday at this years SEMA Show.

Born in Loma Linda, California in 1963, Von Hot Rod grew up around Hotrod’s and race cars. His dad Ben (the Rodfather) was a sprint car driver and drag racer in the 50’s and early 60’s. When Von was born, the Rodfather stopped racing and started building cars. That’s where Von caught the hotrod bug.

Von was the kid that used to draw on the desks at school. “Every chance I had I seemed to have a pen or pencil in my hand drawing. In grade school I was the artist for the school paper,” said Von.

In the summer of 1986 Von and his wife, Debbie Hot Rod, opened up “Hot Rod’s,” a hot rod focused retail store in Fontana, California. In 1991 Von and his wife moved to Norco, California but still managed the store. During those early years the store grew into one of the largest in the industry and was one of the leaders in the hotrod retail business.

In the years that Von and his wife owned the store, they also opened up “Hot Rod Records,” a record label, “Hot Rod’s Hang Out,” a 50’s style club, and started “Kustom Klothing by Hot Rod,” a line of men’s and women’s clothing. They also own “Hot Rod Entertainment and Production,” an event planning company that helps with banquets and parties. Six years ago, in 2001, Von and his wife sold the retail store and the club so they could focus more on their family and so Von could focus more on his passion, which is pinstriping.

“Since I’ve sold the store, I have had more time to do pinstriping and pinstripe art, which I love,” said Von.

Von started pinstriping about 12 years ago and is considered in the top 25 international professionals of pinstriping. In the world of pinstriping, he is called “The Master of the Fine Line.” He even designed his own pinstriping brush that is manufactuered by the Andrew Mack Brush Company that features a Von Hot Rod logo on it.

Just this last September of 2007, Von accepted induction into the ‘’Cruisin Hall of Fame’’ for pinstriping. His work was also featured in the movie “Catch Me If You Can,” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

Von was also the invited guest to the ‘’Yokohama Hotrod Custom Show’’ in Japan in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. In Japan, Von even has his own action figure doll that is available in stores. Also, Mattel Toys has made one of Von’s Hotrods, a 1941 Ford, into a Hot Wheels vehicle called “The Tail Dragger.” Von also created a 30min segment on “Kustom Kulture Art” for the Discovery channel.

For the last 19 years, Von has also helped to create and host “The Von Hot Rod Pinstriping Reunion.” Recently, the Reunion moved to the “Grand National Roadster Show” in Pomona, California. During the reunion, ESPN-2 and Hot Rod TV air Von’s own pinstriping show.

Married for 20 years to Debbie, Von also has two girls, Shelbey (16) and Summer (13). Currently, Von travels around the states pinstriping and teaching seminars and workshops.