While attending the World of Wheels a few years ago, I was patiently waiting in line for Mr. Barris’s autograph with my father who’s a 67 year old auto body man, when a kid in his early 20′s said “Who’s George Barris?”
My jaw dropped,what the heck are they teaching kids these days? George Barris is the guy responsible for most of those cool cars we got to watch every week on our favorite TV show growing up as kids. He was responsible for taking a 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car and transforming it into the Batmobile, and who could ever forget the 1969 Charger, the “General Lee”, flying through the air every Friday night at 8:00. My favorite Barris creation of all time is the Munsters Koach, and Grandpa’s coffin car.
When it was my turn to get an autograph I shook his hand and said “Thank you Mr. Barris for creating all of those cool cars we got to see on TV as kids”, not to mention the awesome models that followed. He laughed and asked what my favorite car was, and I pointed to the Munsters Koach on display behind him. He was a great guy, and it was pretty cool meeting a legend.
So what was your favorite TV show car when you were a kid?
Images borrowed from: http://www.barris.com
I personally loved the Mad Max cars when I was a kid. They were just so mean looking!
http://www.lastinterceptor.com/O3.jpg
Heck,it’s not just the TV and movie cars! most of the iconic customs and hot rods can trace back to the Barris Brothers! The Hirohata Merc and his work on Chili Catallo’s “Little Deuce Coupe”,and I believe the Ala Kart to name a few. He is a great self promoter and a walking encyclopedia of the early custom scene!…………BILL
Bill, you make a great point! That Hirohata Merc is truly a work of art, and basically set the bar for 49-51 Mercury’s from then on. They actually did a 4 page thread on that car over on the H.A.M.B. I recommend checking it out if you have a few minutes. There are tons of great pictures and facts about it.
I never saw this episode of the Beverly Hill Billies,but I guess Barris built this custom hot rod from Jethro to drive for an episode.
I’m sure is was pretty darn funny.
http://www.barris.com/gallery_cars/TV_MovieCars/images/gallery/beverly_hillbillies_hotrod.jpg
Tony, Jethro’s hot rod definately looks period correct! Hahaa, way cool.
Tony,I think that episode is the one Jethro wanted a cooler vehicle so he ended up dismantling the old truck into a pile of pieces on the floor and granny persuaded the mechanic to re-assemble with the aid of her club. a race resulted with granny lacing the gas tank with her medicine out of her jug in the old truck. She beat Jethro of course. That was a great episode. I do believe that is the custom truck but my memory isn’t what it once was!………BILL
Jeremy,I do love the H.A.M.B. Only problem is large chunks of time dissapear when I get into that site!……….BILL
I’ve never seen that episode and I used to watch that show all the time. I’ll have to keep an eye out for that one.Sounds pretty funny.
Tony