Do you have a personal stash of Vans history?
I wasn't until maybe 5 years ago, when I was getting asked for things from the old days. I probably have 50 pairs which I kept from over the years.
Did the company archive shoes as they went?
Nope, I wish we did but no. Maybe for the last ten years but not from way back.
What style of vans do you consider to be the most way out from over the years?
The Breakdance ones were pretty good, we have never replicated it. It had a big wing out the back and it was a high top.
Have you noticed much of a buying/selling eBay trade of vintage Vans?
I hear about it all the time from the developers and stuff, this shoe went for $100, this shoe went for $200. There was a pair I made for a crazy brother inlaw that was getting married for the third time. It was a fabric that you could say was R rated and I made pairs for him and for me, with a bow tie and cumberbund to match. They would go for a lot of money on eBay. They're great, I still have them. I actually made them at midnight, when there was no-one around the factory, so I wouldn't get in trouble with my dad.
My favorite Vans are the full and half Cabs. Steve Caballero has been involved with Vans for a long time... can you tell us about the relationship?
Stevie, I got to really know well in 87. He's been riding for us for 17-18 years. He's my favorite athlete, we do a lot of things together. The Half cab started because everyone was taking the full cab and cutting it off. The shoes are still around today too. It's not a big number driver but it's more successful now that it has been in the past ten years.
