Bob Heinrichs

Jerry DeVito's 1957 Ford Fairlane of San Jose, California, known as “The Maze,” featured one of the most radical custom paint jobs of the 1950s. Applied by Bob Heinrichs in 1958, the intricate design was laid out with tape over the entire body—roof, hood, trunk, and sides—during late-night sessions in Bob’s home garage. George Barris drove up to photograph the finished car, and the striking result was featured in numerous car magazines of the era.

William Gerry's 1953 Ford F-100, known as “Mother Lode,” was a standout show truck from San Jose, California. Flamed and pinstriped by Bob Heinrichs, the shaved and smoothed truck featured a Porsche Gold base sprayed by A&J Body Shop around 1970–1971. The custom look was finished off with a black vinyl top, chromed rear end, and distinctive lettering on the hood. Featured on the cover of Truckin' August 1975, the truck ran a 390 FE engine and wore Ansen Sprints with Goodyear Polygas GTs. It had already earned 1st and 2nd place trophies at its first two shows.

The crest-style sign for Heinrichs Custom Paint and Body in San Jose, California, where Bob turned his lifelong passion into a full-time career. After stepping away from painting in the early 1960s, Bob returned to the craft in 1968 when he opened the shop, offering custom paintwork on cars, lowriders, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and vans. He remained a vital part of the Bay Area hot rod community until his retirement 37 years later. Photo courtesy of Tyler Heinrichs.

A sheet of “Custom Painting by Heinrichs” decals, proudly used by Bob to mark his work and promote his San Jose-based shop. Photo courtesy of Tyler Heinrichs.

An original business card from Heinrichs Custom Painting and Body Repair in San Jose, proudly advertising pinstriping and insurance work at Bob’s shop on 27th Street. Photo courtesy of Tyler Heinrichs.

A vintage ad for Heinrich's Custom Paint in San Jose, promoting specialty finishes like variegated acrylic, striping, webbing, lace painting, and full custom work on everything from boats to vans. Photo courtesy of Tyler Heinrichs.

A hand-marked flyer advertising Bob’s pinstriping services under the slogan “Brush from the Past.” Known for his steady hand and clean lines, Bob offered traditional brush-and-paint pinstriping with guaranteed quality workmanship. Photo courtesy of Tyler Heinrichs.

Bob’s award-winning roadster, built with his signature craftsmanship and attention to detail. In 2000, this striking purple hot rod earned Bob the prestigious Stroker McGurk Award at the Goodguys Nationals, celebrating a lifetime of creativity, skill, and dedication to traditional hot rodding. Photo courtesy of Tyler Heinrichs.

Sondre Kvipt's 1957 Ford Ranchero, known as The Kustomrama Dream Truck, is a tribute to Jerry DeVito’s “Maze” and the legendary painter Bob Heinrichs. Inspired by the radical 1950s custom, Sondre combined his passion for traditional kustoms with help from his brother Olav, who performed the custom work as part of his final exam at Cerritos College after studying under Brad Masterson in California. Completed in 2015, this tribute car reflects the spirit of the original while writing a new chapter in Norwegian custom history.

Bob pictured in his garage with the last hot rod he built, a sleek, black coupe adorned with his signature pinstriping. Even in his later years, Bob remained hands-on, continuing to build and stripe with the same passion that fueled his career from the start. Photo courtesy of Tyler Heinrichs.

Robert "Bob" Willie Heinrichs (June 3, 1932 – May 14, 2025) was a legendary pinstriper and custom painter from San Jose, California. Known for his precise lines and creative paint jobs, Bob played a key role in shaping the Bay Area's custom car scene in the 1950s and 1960s.

Early Life and Service

Bob was born in Enid, Oklahoma, where he grew up and attended school. From 1951 to 1954, he served in the U.S. Navy aboard a troop transport ship. In 1954, he married and had two children, Susan and Michael.

Career in Pinstriping and Custom Painting

In the 1950s and 1960s, Bob made a name for himself as one of San Jose’s top stripers. According to fellow custom painter Joe Crisafulli, who also worked locally, “Bob was a great striper, straight and even.” Joe operated on the west side of town, while Bob covered the east. “If I needed a car striped,” Joe said, “I would pick Bob.”

The Maze

In 1958, Bob was approached by Jerry DeVito, who wanted a wild and unique paint job for his 1957 Ford. “Jerry’s ideas were always very spectacular,” Bob told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in 2015. “He thought outside the box. We are old friends and I was always amazed at his ideas.”

Though Bob was still working as a cement truck driver at the time, he had already spent six years pinstriping. Jerry’s request led to a long series of late nights in Bob’s home garage, prepping the car and laying out a full-body tape design that covered the roof, hood, trunk, and sides. “It took about four days of taping the design before I was ready to do the masking,” Bob recalled.

The process hit an unexpected snag when Jerry removed all the tape and masking paper to take the car out on a Saturday night date. “I came home, and Jerry’s car was gone,” Bob said. “I thought someone had broken into the garage and stolen the car.” Jerry admitted to taking the car but offered to help re-mask it afterward.

Three weeks later, the car was completed. Jerry contacted George Barris, who drove up to San Jose to photograph the finished Ford. “Those photos ended up in a lot of the car magazines of the day,” Bob remembered. The final product, featured on the second version of The Maze, became one of the most radical paint jobs of the 1950s.

Later Career

Bob never had the money to build custom cars for himself in the early days. Instead, he focused on painting for others. He stepped away from painting in the early 1960s and returned to truck driving. On March 4, 1967, he married Evelyn Ediger, with whom he would spend the rest of his life. In 1968, he opened Heinrichs Custom Paint and Body in San Jose, customizing and painting cars, lowriders, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and vans. He remained a vital part of the Bay Area hot rod community until his retirement 37 years later.

In 2005, Bob and Evelyn moved to Grants Pass, Oregon. Even in retirement, Bob continued pinstriping. As of 2015, at age 82, he was still active with a brush in hand.

Personal Life and Legacy

Beyond his passion for cars and paint, Bob loved the water. He raced boats, water-skied, and enjoyed cruising the San Francisco Bay.

Bob Heinrichs passed away on May 14, 2025. He was survived by his wife, Evelyn; his daughter, Susan; two grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Cars Painted or Pinstriped by Bob Heinrichs

Phil Macchiarella's 1950 Plymouth
Jerry DeVito's 1957 Ford Fairlane - The Maze