George Barris:
Work With Undiscovered Classics
Custom Car Builder and Designer
We’ve worked or met with George and/or his family Brett and Joji on several occasions, projects and/or exhibits as outlined below. Latest information appears at the top of this page.
At the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Showing Our 1950 Leo Lyons Ultra Modern Mercury. From Left to Right: Geoff Hacker, George Barris, Rick D’Louhy and Marvin McFalls.
2019
1953 Lost Motor Trend Victress
Interior by George Barris For Fred Bodley – Technical Editor for Motor Trend
The interior of this Victress was originally done in 1953 by George Barris for the technical editor of Motor Trend – Fred Bodley. We’ll share more about the history of this car in the near future after it is fully restored and ready to show. This is just one of only two known sports cars ever exhibited in the office of Trend Publications on Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles, California as shown in the vintage photos below. Also shown below are photos of the restored car and interior.
2015
Presentation of Leo Lyons Custom Mercury
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Pebble Beach, California
George and Sam Barris were friends with Leo Lyons who built his Custom Mercury with their guidance in the 1950s. George joined us with our restored Leo Lyons Custom Mercury in August, 2015 at Pebble Beach. Thanks George!
Additional Detail
1950 Leo Lyons Custom Mercury Restoration – 10 Autoweek Articles:
Lead Up To The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Autoweek Magazine
November 13, 2014 to September 2, 2015
Ultra Modern Mercury
Custom Cars Magazine: February, 1960
2013
Research Into George Barris Original Photography of the
1950 Leo Lyons Custom Mercury
Barris Kustom Industries: North Hollywood, California
In 2013, we traveled from Florida to Los Angeles, California to work with George and his son Brett on two projects. The first project was locating and obtaining copies of the Barris photography of the 1950 Leo Lyons Custom Mercury. Some of the original Barris photos of the Leo Lyons Custom Mercury are shown below, and these helped guide us during its restoration.
From Left To Right: Geoff Hacker, George Barris, Leo Lyons and Rick D’Louhy
Leo Lyons, 30 Years Old, Photographed By George Barris For Feature in “Custom Cars” Magazine
2013
1956 Continental Mark II
For Sale: Seminole, Florida
We were looking to buy an interesting mildly customized Continental Mark II that was being advertised for sale close to where we live in Florida. Upon arriving to inspect the car and its history, the seller mentioned that it was purportedly built by George Barris. Instead of buying the car, we put Brett Barris in contact with the seller – neither had talked with the other before.
Good things happened and the Mark II was returned to the Barris family. It’s the only car that we’ve considered for purchase and couldn’t be happier that “it got away.” Shown below are two images of the car as we found it followed by original photography of George Barris with his Continental Mark II.
Click This Link to Learn More About The George Barris 1956 Continental Mark II
2013
Assistance With Book Research for Book on George Barris
Barris Kustom Industries
North Hollywood, California
In 2013 when in Los Angeles visiting the Barris family, we worked with Brett Barris on helping with the history of the Leo Lyons Custom Mercury. Brett was going to feature it in his book on his father titled, “King of the Kustomizers: The Art of George Barris.” This book ultimately was published in 2015 with relevant pages shown below.
2009
NHRA Museum
Pomona, California
In 2009 we worked with Greg Sharp of the NHRA Museum in Pomona, California on a display featuring the history of Bill Burke and included our 1946 Bill Burke Belly Tank Streamliner. And….we were honored that day to have George Barris’ daughter, Joji, help us place the car.
Joji was there to deliver the Batmobile for another display at the museum. She was kind enough to command the wheel on our Belly Tank and “shoot” it into the museum at light speed (or is that dry lakes speed?). Thanks for the help Joji!
Joji Barris at the Wheel of our 1946 Bill Burke Belly Tank Streamliner
2007
Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
Amelia Island, Florida
We first met George Barris at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance where he was a judge for our Forgotten Fiberglass class. It turned out that George remembered the LaDawri Conquest well – and the owners of LaDawri Coachcraft – Les and Joan Dawes.
We were fortunate to have Joan Dawes with us at the event and both had a chance to catch up a bit. On a later visit to George’s facility in North Hollywood, we found a vintage photo of a LaDawri Conquest on his wall. A car, he shared with us on the Amelia field, he always thought was striking in design.
George Barris With Our 1957 LaDawri Conquest at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
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