Videos: Why David Perry is The King of Hot Rod Pinup Photography

For twenty years now, David Perry has been deeply involved in the hot rod culture and its particularly unique aspect known as pinups. In 1991, the California photographer first got involved with the emerging underground hot rod and pinup culture. These days, his work is published worldwide and there are several books published, based on his work.

Largely immune from the political correctness phenomenon, the hot rod and pinup girl connection has emerged over the years as an art form, particularly in the scope of Perry’s vision. More recently, his efforts have moved to video and film and there is lots to see there.

While the visual medium may be new, the history of pinup girls reaches back some 100-plus-years, according to Maria Elena Buszek, an Assistant Professor of Art History at the Kansas City Art Institute.

In her book, Pin-up Grrrls: Feminism, Sexuality, Popular Culture, published by Duke University Press, Buszek suggests that “As shocking as contemporary feminist pinups are intended to be, perhaps more surprising is that the pinup has been appropriated and used by women for their own empowerment since its inception more than a century ago.”

That sounds like a win-win situation to us. Whether attending hot rod events or working in the shop, you’ll appreciate these pin up girls and their involvement in the hobby. You can almost smell the oil and perfume mixed together. Here are a couple of Perry’s videos to whet your appetite. You can check out a lot more of them on his film page.