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George Barris: A Tribute to the Custom Cars Legend

By on November 6, 2015
Source: http://sahafaharabiah.net/news2105496.html

Source: http://sahafaharabiah.net/news2105496.html

We received word from the automotive community that the legendary custom cars maker George Barris died on November 5, 2015 at the age of 89. The man had been building cars in California for decades. Some of them ended up in movies and TV series while others hit the streets and car shows. As a tribute to one of the pillars of the custom cars scene, here are some of the famous builds made by the legend.

 

The Batmobile from the 1966 Batman TV Series

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/09/in-detail-original-1966-batmobile-on-display-ahead-of-sale-at-b/

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/09/in-detail-original-1966-batmobile-on-display-ahead-of-sale-at-b/

Back in the ‘60s, Batman was made into a campy television show that featured Adam West and Burt Ward as the cape crusader and the boy wonder respectively. Their mode of transport? The Batmobile George Barris built out of a 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura.

 

The Munster’s Koach

http://luxedb.com/cars-to-drive-in-a-lifetime-the-munster-koach/munster-koach-1/

http://luxedb.com/cars-to-drive-in-a-lifetime-the-munster-koach/munster-koach-1/

This one of a kind hot rod coach was a combination of a street machine and a tv show star. George Barris had to use three Ford Model T units to build this icon. Don’t be fooled by its novelty looks. This hot rod is equipped with performance parts.

 

The original Black Beauty from The Green Hornet

Source: https://americanheritagecenter.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/going-to-the-movies/

Source: https://americanheritagecenter.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/going-to-the-movies/

While The Green Hornet series can be remembered with Bruce Lee’s high-flying stunts, the car community also associates the show with Black Beauty. No, it’s not Anna Sewell’s famed gentle horse. Black Beauty is the 1966 Chrysler Imperial that has been loaded with weapons for the adventures of the Green Hornet and Kato.

 

Bob Hirohata’s 1951 Merc

Source: http://www.sportscardigest.com/pebble-beach-concours-delegance-2015-report-and-photos/7/

Source: http://www.sportscardigest.com/pebble-beach-concours-delegance-2015-report-and-photos/7/

Outside the film reel, cars made by George Barris also set the standards in the custom scene. Take for example Bob Hirohata’s custom 1951 Mercury. The classic coupe got a chopped top, frenched headlights, and that tail dragger look. It has been recognized in a number of car events, including the happenings in Pebble Beach.

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