Vanner Pins and Buttons

Chestnut Pinto Skewbald Gypsy Vanner Draft Horse LOVE

When van customizing became the hot new thing, most shops focused on styling out vans with custom paint, tires, wheels, and countless appearance upgrades, but never really got into the performance side of things. Van Works Customs of Los Angeles took a slightly different approach, instead focusing on balls out powertrains that would give even the hottest muscle cars a run for their money. Big block power in an early Econoline? No problem. Supercharged 327 in a G10? Done deal. You name it and Van Works Customs could pull it off, the crazier, the better.

Chestnut Flaxen Gypsy Vanner Draft Horse LOVE

Brown Bay Pinto Skewbald Gypsy Vanner Draft Horse LOVE

It's all in the mane.

Black Pinto Piebald Gypsy Vanner Draft Horse LOVE

Bay Brown Pinto Skewbald Gypsy Vanner Draft Horse Trotting in Snow

T&H Van Works Unlimited got their start in the early '70s, riding the wave of custom van fever and offering a huge selection of custom parts from porthole windows and sunroofs to side pipes and flare kits. From their Los Angeles, California showroom, they also operated a thriving mail order business, with ads in all the major vanner magazines instructing people to write them for a free catalog. In the early '80s, custom vans had died down considerably, and T&H expanded their offerings to support the booming mini truck craze, but by some time in the '90s as mini trucks began falling out of favor, T&H called it quits.

Formed in 1987 under the moniker Katzenjammer, Kyuss would go on to be the coolest band during their lifetime. With scorching-hot riffs, serpentine grooves, and no rush to get anywhere faster than absolutely necessary, they truly encapsulated the vastness of the California desert from which they hailed, which makes their unique cult following all the easier to understand.

Founded in the small desert town of Sky Valley, California in 1971, the aptly named Sky Valley Van Works was a small shop doing big things during the heyday of van customization. Whether you were looking to go low with some serious street van attitude or looking for a go anywhere 4x4 conversion, Sky Valley Van Works could make it happen. From all out custom jobs like their 'Foxy Box' to basic upgrades like porthole windows and side pipes, the guys at Sky Valley were a true gem in the desert that was worth the drive to get your rig tricked out.

Black and White Gypsy Vanner Draft Horse LOVE

Vinny

Unlike most van shops of the day that focused on selling and installing custom parts and accessories, The Van Doctor was a comprehensive auto body and mechanical repair shop. Sure, they also sold the goodies to make your ride stand out, but that was secondary to this Van Nuys garage.

Another killer thrift store find that has been faithfully reproduced and made available once again. This gem was culled from a small shop outside of Cleveland, Ohio. It's a simple enough design that features Henry David Thoreau's powerful quote “all good things are wild and free” from his 1851 lecture, 'Walking.' Whether you're a woodland creature superfan or just a free spirit looking for that perfect road trip mantra, this one is for you.

The Iron Cross became an integral part of the biker lifestyle in the '60s and '70s and still remains popular in many subcultures today. Bikers have always enjoyed shocking the citizenry and the Iron Cross still does this today due to its unfortunate association with the National Socialist German Workers' Party, but let's not forget that it has always stood for honor and service beginning with Frederick William III, King of Prussia, issuing the Iron Cross as a medal for service during the Napoleonic Wars as early as 1813. In both biker and van culture, these crosses can often be found as embellishments forged in metal on custom rides appearing as everything from side mirrors and valve stem caps to sissy bar decorations and fuel tank caps.

Formed in 1987 under the moniker Katzenjammer, Kyuss would go on to be the coolest band during their lifetime. With scorching-hot riffs, serpentine grooves, and no rush to get anywhere faster than absolutely necessary, they truly encapsulated the vastness of the California desert from which they hailed, which makes their unique cult following all the easier to understand.

Formed in 1987 under the moniker Katzenjammer, Kyuss would go on to be the coolest band during their lifetime. With scorching-hot riffs, serpentine grooves, and no rush to get anywhere faster than absolutely necessary, they truly encapsulated the vastness of the California desert from which they hailed, which makes their unique cult following all the easier to understand.

Gypsy Vanner Horse in gold siluet.

Formed in 1987 under the moniker Katzenjammer, Kyuss would go on to be the coolest band during their lifetime. With scorching-hot riffs, serpentine grooves, and no rush to get anywhere faster than absolutely necessary, they truly encapsulated the vastness of the California desert from which they hailed, which makes their unique cult following all the easier to understand.

Kolor Me Kustom was a Los Angeles based customing shop that made big waves in the industry throughout the '70s with their wild paint jobs and crazy bod modifications that were seen on everything from muscle cars and street vans to limousines and semi-trucks. While tame compared to other projects, this design features their '71 Ranchero which had one of the craziest paint jobs of all time that combined countless interlocking pinstripes, airbrushed murals, and of course, metal flake - TONS of metal flake.

Car giveaways have been around for a long time, but in 1976, a cross-promotional sweepstakes took things up a notch when three different American companies got together to create a one of a kind ride. This wild, custom '76 Econoline van utilized elements from the three sponsors to create a truly unique custom van that was dubbed the 'Denimachine.' From its crazy custom flamed exterior to its wall-to-wall denim interior, the Denimachine made quite a splash as people sent in their bottle cap liners in droves for a chance to land one in their driveway. There were ten Denimachines given away in the U.S. and fifteen given away in Canada beginning in 1976 and through most of 1977.

For Anna - of her precious ponies!

original oil painting on canvas

An adorable pinto gypsy cob pony with a sneaky heart marking!

For Anna, of her precious ponies!

Retro Vanessa's Lunchbox 1987

A Little something for my fellow custom vanners.

$29.95 for these back in the 70's!

Simply keep on vanning.

original oil painting on canvas THIS PAINTING IS FOR SALE, CALL ARTIST AT 808-365-9664

$30 each back in the heyday of van culture.

Why "New York Vanning" instead of "Vanner"? This way anyone who enjoys vanning around New York can wear this shirt!

Simply keep on vanning.

Original cost for one of these was $22.95!

The classics.