Dave Pettner

Even from an early age, Dave Pettner’s love for cars was evident. This childhood snapshot captures him behind the wheel of his 1947 Pontiac pedal car, striking a confident pose with his toy gun. "Me in my first car. They sold them new as '47 Pontiacs. I still have this car," Pettner told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in 2025. The pedal car marked the beginning of a lifelong passion for automobiles, custom cars, and hot rods. A true gearhead from the start! Photo from The Dave Pettner Photo Collection.

Developed in March of 1959, this photo showcases a young Dave riding a Whizzer-powered Schwinn bicycle, a popular form of motorized transport in the post-war era. Originally designed during World War II to help commuters save fuel, these motor kits turned standard bicycles into efficient, gas-powered machines. By the 1950s, Whizzer engines were widely available and became a favorite among young enthusiasts like Dave, marking an early step in his lifelong passion for mechanics and custom vehicles. Photo from The Dave Pettner Photo Collection.

Dave Pettner of Compton, California is an American hot rod builder, painter, and collector who has been involved in the hot rod and custom car scene since the 1950s. Growing up in Compton, he started working in a body shop as a teenager and went on to build, paint, and restore hundreds of hot rods and customs over the decades. He has owned nearly a hundred cars, primarily Chevrolets and Fords, and became known for his craftsmanship and creativity in the Southern California custom car scene.

As a young enthusiast, Pettner lived near Barris Kustoms and frequently visited the shop, where he became acquainted with George Barris and Bill DeCarr. He was also friends with Larry Watson, a pioneering custom painter, and grew up in the same housing tract as Von Dutch. After retiring, Pettner continued his passion for automotive craftsmanship, working alongside Larry Cerny painting cars.

Pettner's first car was a 1949 Chevy, a wreck he repaired and drove before trading it for a damaged 1953 Chevy, which he restored using salvage yard parts. Until the age of 40, he primarily acquired cars this way—rescuing and rebuilding wrecks into functional customs.

The Dave Pettner Photo Collection

Beyond building and painting cars, Pettner documented the Southern California hot rod and custom car scene of the 1950s and 1960s through photography. His collection captures an era of innovation and style, providing valuable historical insight into the early days of custom car culture. Click here to check it out.