Famed car customizer George Barris died on November 5th at the age of 89. His son Brett Barris made the announcement on Facebook stating his father has “moved to the bigger garage in the sky. He passed on peacefully in his sleep.”
One last ride in The Kargoyle?
His most famous creation was the Batmobile from the original 1960s “Batman” television series. That car started life as a 1955 Lincoln Futura concept and morphed into Batman and Robin’s wild ride complete with bubble windshields, bat fins, and a long list of weapons.
Other popular Barris “kustom” cars included KITT from the original “Knight Rider” TV show, the Munster Koach, and the Beverly Hillbillies car.
I remember seeing his crazy creations every year at the annual “Rod and Custom” car show that toured the country when I was a kid.
As a kid, I thought the Batmobile was the coolest thing I had ever seen. RIP, Mr. Barris.
RIP George Barris
an auto icon has passed. Will never come again.
Max Baer weeps.
Love Barris… a genius. Sad to see him go but it looks like he lead a great life.
It was always a thrill to drive past his shop in North Hollywood and see what kind of new creations he had parked out front. I remember laughing at the golf cart he built for Bob Hope:
http://36.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md6vldw4o41qdg3alo1_500.jpg
He also raised the roofs on John Wayne’s station wagons so his head wouldn’t rub on the headliner and mess up his rug. lol
Rest in Peace. What a great artist!
RIP George. I think the first model I built was his Ala Kart.
http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage133.html
My dad and I built the model available from Burry’s Cookies for box tops/proof of purchase; it was accurately detailed for that kind of a premium, right down to the red bats on the chrome wheels…
Sole Survivor.
Loved building all those plastic funnycar models in the 60s. Several of his ideas got on my car model shelves.
Have actually cruised the Blvd. through Whittier and the Bob’s Big Boy, early 70’s, all the cars were in lots, for sale.
RIP George, we will miss you.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
AMT Model company in the 60’s marketed his creations in kit
form. http://bit.ly/1XWKBgS and I didn’t have to fill out 3 forms to buy a tube of glue either. Memories.