Inside The Workshop: Gibbs Connors & Vintage VW Buses

Philly, you just keep on surprising me. Just when I thought I had heard about all the funky yet beautiful spaces that are owned by the most cool and interesting people, you did it once again.

Meet Gibbs Connors, and welcome to his workshop. Down a dead-end alley, somewhere in South Philly, you can find Gibbs’s signage studio, where he has been running his signing business for near 26 years now. He first started painting signs back in 1986 in upstate New York. He would work for small businesses here and there, lettering trucks and other necessary surfaces. When he made the move to Philly, he purchased a space which was once an old auto-repair shop, gutted it, and transformed it into a two-story workshop. Upstairs is naturally lit with high ceilings, tools and paint everywhere you turn, and of course…signs. Gibbs has worked all over Philadelphia, with clientele from the likes of  the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Barnes Foundation, Starr Restaurants and La Colombe to name a few. One of his most proud works has been the signage on the front of Kermit’s Bake shop on the corner of 22nd and Washington Ave in Philadelphia.

gibbs connors lead

kermit's bake shop

He doesn’t just stay in Philly, though. Below is a mural that was hand painted by Gibb’ at a Starbucks inside LAX.

gibbs starbucks

Now, you know, I did say his workshop was two stories…

Gibbs’s younger days of lettering trucks didn’t necessarily stop, but migrated to another type of vehicle: the classic Volkswagen Bus. He doesn’t just put signage on these vehicles though…he collects them.

Walk down the stairs of this wondrous workshop, and behold his large collection of vintage Volkswagens. You’ll find mostly buses, but there might be a punch buggy or two hidden in there somewhere…maybe even a vintage Porsche. Each one has a special story that Gibbs can tell you, from where he found it, how old it is, to what he’s done with it. You guys, this man has a COLLECTION. I was in awe walking around down there.

Spending the morning with Gibbs and finding out about his life was inspiring and eye opening. This man has pretty much worked for himself his entire life, and he’s got a great gig going on right now.

“I painted signs and hustled to make it where I am today.”

And with that, take a look inside Gibb’s studio…

gibbs studio

art in studio

best of philly mag

gibbs in front of tools

naturally lit space

what the fuck sign

spray cans

paper in studio

cutting easel

gibbs self portrait

animal on wall

holding sign

VW bus

VW wheel

mini VWs

VW service

steering wheel

gibbs pointing at van

vw up close

window inside bus

gibbs in front of bus

vw bus outside

vw signs on antlers

garage space

gibbs portrait

Thank you for opening the door for us, Gibbs!

Follow Gibbs Connors on Instagram, and visit his website.

Follow FP Jana on Twitter. 

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10 years ago

could someone do one on boho airstreams? They are pretty amazing and sorta a dream of mine to live in one for a year and see all of canada and the usa.

Roxy xox
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartJewelryAlways

10 years ago

This is just perfect. I really want to visit Philly sometime. Every time you show stuff like this, it reminds me of Lex but on a much bigger scale. It’s beautiful.

10 years ago

Okay. Way cool. This place is rad.

xo, Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com

Milka
10 years ago

VW’s are the quintessential wanderers form of transportation. Like a modern gypsy caravan.

10 years ago

Think I just found Heaven… like holy crap.
xx
~Taylor

Thinking About Clothing In A Totally New Way:
http://awakeningbohemia.blogspot.com/2014/01/thinking-about-clothing-in-totally-new.html

10 years ago

eeeeeee! buses galore :) love me some buses. i wonder if he names them all. because everyone i know who has one or two or tons, including myself, name theirs. mine are named Lu Lu and Annabelle!

10 years ago

Without doubt the coolest way to transport anyone to anywhere.

Dee
9 years ago

Hi everyone!! Need help getting a VW van. Help us out if you can!!! There are rewards :)

http://www.gofundme.com/soulmatesneedvwvan