keiser31 Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) Heard the sad news today that car customizer, George Barris has passed. He had quite an influence on my childhood and maybe some of yours. I know he was not a restorer, but a car guy is a car guy, after all. Edited November 5, 2015 by keiser31 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Arguably the most influential car guy of his era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Man Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC Fuhrman Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) GREAT PHOTO!They had him on 'American Pickers' a while back - toured his shop.Understand he had saved the Zephyr show car and it became the Batmobile? (Not sure on this.) Futura - that's it - thank you Keiser. Edited November 6, 2015 by AC Fuhrman (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) GREAT PHOTO!They had him on 'American Pickers' a while back - toured his shop.Understand he had saved the Zephyr show car and it became the Batmobile? (Not sure on this.) I believe that the Lincoln Futura show car became the Batmobile. Edited November 5, 2015 by keiser31 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 I had the pleasure to meet George a few years ago. A true gentleman in every sense. He will certainly be missed in our hobby. May he rest in peace and may his family and friends cherish the great memories forever! Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Just had a big write up in Hemmings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 In the mid fifties one of his painter did the scallops on my 57 Vette. Mandy Holder, he ended up in Springfield, Il, he died of drug over dose, but very good painter. He did a lot of painting on/in a two car garage with dirt floor.REST George,Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) To me the Ala Kart will always be the best car George ever created. It's beauty has not faded at all over all the decades since it was made. That is one gorgeous show car! Howard Dennis Edited November 6, 2015 by hddennis (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) When you look back at automotive history, there are a handful of guys who pretty much guided the whole thing, and George Barris was one of them. There are few custom-built cars that don't have a few tricks that he invented on them and while he often had questionable taste, it was all about pushing boundaries and few were better at figuring out "the next big thing" than George Barris. His reputation was well-deserved and his talents will probably not be seen again. He was also a fine ambassador for the hobby, always ready with a smile and a handshake, and never grew tired of talking to fans and enthusiasts. Best to his family and his many friends, I know he will be missed. Edited November 6, 2015 by Matt Harwood (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95Cardinal Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Barris did some beautiful work over the years. I like a lot of his early stuff. He built this 51 Chev for Father Larry Ernst when the car was new.A friend of mine owns it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Ala Kart.jpgTo me the Ala Kart will always be the best car George ever created. It's beauty has not faded at all over all the decades since it was made. That is one gorgeous show car!Howard DennisI agree, I got to see it in the early 1960's in NYC, my Dad would take me to see the Hot Rod and Custom cars show every year. The grille was made with hundreds of clear plastic pieces, and those fenders were just perfect. So glad it was restored after the fire. Growing up in the 1960's he was a big part of the hobby, sure helped a lot of people see the fun in working on old cars. He lived a full life, RIP. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarredKnightfan Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 I believe that the Lincoln Futura show car became the Batmobile. Yes, that is correct! RIP, George. Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.compigValve, paceMaker, cowValve | 1979 Caprice Classic (awaiting new owner)"Death tore the pages all away" __ Kenney Chesney __ 'Who You'd Be Today' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronvb Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 R.I.P George Barris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I was very surprised to learn that he was 89 years young! Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now