Pinstriping is the signature art of Kustom Kulture, pinstriping is the purest expression of a customizer's style. Pinstripe Planet, authored by one of the art's most respected practitioners, is a photographic and textual celebration of this unique decorative art form, a genuine instance of motor-Americana now making its mark around the globe. A historical and visual overview of pinstriping culture, the book takes readers into all the great shops-from Circle City Hot Rods and Baron Speed Shop to Romance of Rust and The Paintbox-and right into the action as a variety of rides ranging from hot rods and lowriders to old-school choppers and bobbers are striped up. Showcasing the distinct history and tradition of each region where the art flourishes, Pinstripe Planet features the work of today's most influential contemporaries, such as Art Schilling, Jimmy C, Steve Chazyeka, and Herb Martinez in the United States; Tom Plate, John Leeson and Neil Meillard in Europe; Makoto Kobayashi in Japan; and Simon Watts in Australia. It also provides a look at the origins of pinstriping and its revival at the hands of the great Kenny ""Von Dutch"" Howard, Tommy the Greek and Ed ""Big Daddy"" Roth.

Author Biography

Herb Martinez ("The Line Doctor"), one of today's most significant pinstripers, was born in San Francisco in 1946. He began striping in 1961 and started Color Machine Body and Paint ten years later. A member of SEMA and NHRA, Herb's achievements have been celebrated by the Mack Brush Hall of Fame, the Grand National Roadster Hall of Fame and the San Francisco Rod & Custom Show. Herb tours his art extensively in Europe and Japan as well as the USA. He is a contributor to many magazines - including "AutoArt" and "Autographics" - and a consultant to House of Kolor. Since 1988 Herb has been based in Livermore, CA.