5 Minutes with Paul Van Nus of Dutchboys Hotrods
Last year was quite a year for Paul Van Nus and his team at Dutchboys Hotrods. The shop, based in Vicksburg, Michigan, won its second PPG Street Machine of the Year title with a radical ’87 Buick Grand National built for Angelo Vespi, had a ’33 Ford in the Top Five of the Tanks, Inc. Hot Rod of the Year competition, had a ’69 Camaro finish as a finalist for Griot’s Garage Muscle Machine of the year, debuted an amazing ’69 Torino at the SEMA Show, and Paul was named the 2025 Goodguys Trendsetter. Whew!
Other than a few shop classes in high school and a short stint at a collision shop, Paul is basically self-taught based on a passion for hot rods, a vision, and determination. He and his father Joe, a body and paint pro in his own right, launched Dutchboys Hotrods in 2010 and have firmly established the company as a top tier shop with a unique style on high-quality builds. The shop now covers over 20,000 sq. ft. and employs 21 talented craftsmen and has earned a strong reputation for creative and innovative fabrication on vehicles built to be driven and enjoyed.
We were able to catch Paul between work, events, and playing with his three kids, and spent a few minutes chatting about he and his dad continue to keep Dutchboys moving forward and pushing the envelope of hot rodding.
Goodguys: What is your first memory of old cars and what was your first car?
Paul Van Nus: My first memories involving cars are going to car shows with my dad in his Nova and his best friend, Bill. He also had a Nova, and I got to go with them when they traveled to shows. As I got older, my dad purchased my first car, a ’67 Chevy II. We built it over a few years and took it to the Columbus Goodguys show around 2007. I later created a version 2.0 of that car to further showcase our capabilities, then sold it to help build the business.
GG: You formed Dutchboys with your father, Joe, in 2010. Did you have a backup plan if the shop didn’t take off?
Van Nus: I never really thought of a backup plan. I was young, but I knew this was what I wanted to do, and I was determined to make it happen. I also knew I didn’t want to stay in a collision shop forever. Hot rods started as a hobby, but I always hoped it would turn into something more.
GG: What have been your keys to success with Dutchboys?
Van Nus: It really comes down to doing the work and taking risks. We’ve put in a lot of effort and taken chances, even when it didn’t feel like things were moving forward. Looking back, that’s a big part of our success today. Beyond that, it’s about taking care of your people. We couldn’t do what we do without our team and the passion they bring every day. You have to be fully invested.
GG: What’s the working dynamic like with you and your father?
Van Nus: Pretty good. At times, I think he’s been annoyed with me for agreeing to crazy deadlines, but we both perform our roles in the shop well. It’s definitely not like Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. from “American Chopper” back in the day, LOL!
GG: Are you self-taught in design and fabrication, or did you have formal training?
Van Nus: I’m self-taught, mainly through trial and error, failure, and figuring things out. I’ve always paid close attention to other builds that had the right look as I was developing my style.
GG: What have been the biggest changes in the industry since you started?
VanNus: The growth of technology, including machining, 3D printing, scanning, and more.
GG: Has your approach to car building changed since starting the shop?
Van Nus: I’ve always wanted to establish our brand. If someone sees one of our builds and says, “That looks like a Dutchboys build,” that’s the goal.
GG: Who were some of your biggest influences as builders?
Van Nus: I’d say the biggest influence I’ve always looked up to is Kyle Tucker. Knowing him for a long time and watching how he treated people and built his brand has always been an inspiration to me. Others I’ve followed over the years, from back in the day to now, include Troy Trepanier, Jeremy Carlson, Alan Johnson, Jonathan Goolsby, and Phil and Jeremy Gerber, just to name a few.
GG: What is your favorite part of a build project? What is your least favorite?
Van Nus: My favorite part is the fabrication stage, where the whole car really comes together, including the design, function, and engineering. My least favorite is probably the testing and debugging process. Some would probably think that’s the best part. Although it is really cool to see that build come to life, that’s where things can get stressful: everything is perfect and finished, and as you debug, you must be extremely careful not to scratch or damage anything.
GG: What’s the best advice you can offer a budding fabricator or DIY enthusiast?
Van Nus: Stay true to yourself and your brand and style. It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing on social media, but if you stay in your lane and put in the work, you’ll be fine.
GG: Do you have any non-car hobbies?
Van Nus: Golf. I’ve played for a long time and used to be really good. I don’t have as much time now, but I’ve gotten back into it over the years and play as much as I can between the shop and family life.
GG: You’ve done several Hall of Fame Road Tours. What would your ultimate Road Tour build be for your family?
Van Nus: We love doing the Hall of Fame Tours. I recently picked up a ’67 Chevy II wagon that I’m going to build for my wife and I’ve been collecting parts for it. I think it would be really cool to take everything we’ve learned from road tours, apply it to that car, and take it on one.
