The Jalopy Journal

**Ryan** · 12-19-2008, 10:53 AM

The Chrisman Coupe is probably one of the most idolized cars ever built. I think of a lot of that has to do with the generally childish nature of hot rodders. Let's face it, the car is simply sinister in appearance and that was the initial turn on f...

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JimA · 12-19-2008, 11:03 AM

Art is the racers racer- He will still shoot the bull with you about the early days (just had a great talk with him at the swap meet last week). They are working on a book about his life.

Hard to beat the below stat- number 2 in the 200MPH club!

2. Art Chrisman of Compton, California drove Chet Herbert’s “Beast III” 235.991 mph August 28, 1952.

**JeffreyJames** · 12-19-2008, 11:07 AM

I have been waiting for your words on this car Ryan. It is absolutely my favorite coupe and for all the reasons stated above. And also It's because I am too much of a pussy to build something that crazy. Thank God Kevin Lee has the brass to cut his car within every inch to achieve the look because I'm not sure I have it. The car is perfect because it's purposeful right? Solid mounted rear and a unique 40 front hood spliced into a perfect streamlined front end. This is exactly what a hot rod is based upon but taken to a whole other level.

I had a thread on Dickie Flippen's coupe that was inspired by the Chrisman Coupe. And even though it pretty bad ass, it does not touch the real thing.

Nice friday addition.

**metalshapes** · 12-19-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyJames

I have been waiting for your words on this car Ryan. It is absolutely my favorite coupe and for all the reasons stated above. And also It's because I am too much of a pussy to build something that crazy. Thank God Kevin Lee has the brass to cut his car within every inch to achieve the look because I'm not sure I have it. The car is perfect because it's purposeful right? Solid mounted rear and a unique 40 front hood spliced into a perfect streamlined front end. This is exactly what a hot rod is based upon but taken to a whole other level.

I had a thread on Dickie Flippen's coupe that was inspired by the Chrisman Coupe. And even though it pretty bad ass, it does not touch the real thing.

Nice friday addition.

To me, that car is more Dobie Gillis than Chrisman Coupe...

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The original car was badass.

One of my 3 all time favorite Hot Rods...

**JeffreyJames** · 12-19-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalshapes

To me, that car is more Dobie Gillis than Chrisman Coupe...

The original car was badass.

One of my 3 all time favorite Hot Rods...

I can definitely see that. I was just referring to TRJ article where it said that Dickie set out to mimic the Chrisman Coupe. I can see how that started out but as you read on and you see how he was working with Mickey Thompson and those guys the car probably was dictated by the drag-strip and the heavy hitters in California in the late 50's early 60's.

**metalshapes** · 12-19-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyJames

I can definitely see that. I was just referring to TRJ article where it said that Dickie set out to mimic the Chrisman Coupe.

The Dobie Gillis car was the Chrisman Coupe, after Barris did his Damage to it.

So maybe that's what he meant...

**JeffreyJames** · 12-19-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalshapes

The Dobie Gillis car was the Chrisman Coupe, after Barris did his Damage to it.

So maybe that's what he meant...

Yeah, but I thought that he started building that car in 55-56 so wouldn't that have been the original Chrisman coupe? I can't see anybody trying to mimic the Gillis car. That thing was a turd!

I will lose all my respect for the Flippen coupe if so. Hahaha!

philly the greek · 06-21-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalshapes

The Dobie Gillis car was the Chrisman Coupe, after Barris did his Damage to it.

So maybe that's what he meant...

You guys should have heard Arts' story on what Barris did to his coupe. Let's just say that George Barris probably won't be getting a christmas card any time soon ! I've known Art a long time and he is definitley the real deal .

**Kevin Lee** · 12-19-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyJames

Thank God Kevin Lee has the brass to cut his car within every inch to achieve the look because I'm not sure I have it.

Thanks for the nod, but there is someone out there going a lot further than I am with a full on race car.

Not sure if he is fully "out of the closet" with his build so I'll let him answer if he's ready. But if the timing is right I think they should both see the salt around the same time.

**JeffreyJames** · 12-19-2008, 11:25 AM

Can I also add that I absolutely think that TRJ should commission cut away rendering such as this one. I know that they do the Photo cut away but man these old ones were works of art!

zellerware · 12-20-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyJames

Can I also add that I absolutely think that TRJ should commission cut away rendering such as this one. I know that they do the Photo cut away but man these old ones were works of art!

Yes! I agree! The should release all the cut away drawings from the early 50's..

Flea · 12-19-2008, 11:25 AM

Awesome car. Those guys showed a lot of respect by not going for the record.

29EHV8 · 12-19-2008, 11:38 AM

Arts the most humble guy I know. Just an all around great guy.
The craziest thing about the car is when I sat in it. Your nose is just about touching the windshield, the crank pulley in your spine and he went 200mph in it! Nutbar!

Ryan, thanks for doing a cool write up on it. Prolly my favorite car ever.

-Shiny

Tbomb428 · 12-19-2008, 11:36 AM

I remember the first time I saw that car. It was at a company Christmas party in 2000 (when it was in a private collection at a car dealership in SoCal). Having no idea of what that car was yet, I was mesmerized by it nonetheless. I could'nt stop staring at it. Still I think it's the most bad-ass hot rod I've ever seen.

froghawk · 12-19-2008, 11:37 AM

Terrific, moving piece of writing, Ryan. It's great that the car has been preserved and restored to its original state, but ones' heart aches for the potential partially realized, and the pain of loss the guys must have felt to cause them to part with the car and the dream.

autobilly · 12-21-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froghawk

Terrific, moving piece of writing, Ryan. It's great that the car has been preserved and restored to its original state, but ones' heart aches for the potential partially realized, and the pain of loss the guys must have felt to cause them to part with the car and the dream.

Well said, captures my sentiments exactly.

Used Up Junk · 12-21-2008, 10:08 PM

God it's nice to be around people who realise what a hack Barris is. It seems like people who are really into cars get it, but it makes me sick to see people at shows falling all over him like he actually did something great. Everyone know's Sam is the one that had the talent and George had the mouth. And the Chrisman Coupe...What can be said that hasn't already? Simply an amazing car and unbeliveable tallent that built it.

SinisterCustom · 12-19-2008, 11:39 AM

These WHACKED coupes just rule....Flippen's is so wicked.

I can't wait to see Kevin's finished.....it's gonna be right up there with these.

**JeffreyJames** · 12-19-2008, 12:00 PM

A couple more

**metalshapes** · 12-19-2008, 12:04 PM

Pics...

12-19-2008, 10:53 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,624	The Chrisman Coupe The Chrisman Coupe is probably one of the most idolized cars ever built. I think of a lot of that has to do with the generally childish nature of hot rodders. Let's face it, the car is simply sinister in appearance and that was the initial turn on f... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

12-19-2008, 11:03 AM	#2
JimA BANNED Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Jarrell, Texas Posts: 4,844	Re: The Chrisman Coupe Art is the racers racer- He will still shoot the bull with you about the early days (just had a great talk with him at the swap meet last week). They are working on a book about his life. Hard to beat the below stat- number 2 in the 200MPH club! 2. Art Chrisman of Compton, California drove Chet Herbert’s “Beast III” 235.991 mph August 28, 1952.

12-19-2008, 11:07 AM	#3
JeffreyJames Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SUGAR CITY Posts: 15,934	Re: The Chrisman Coupe I have been waiting for your words on this car Ryan. It is absolutely my favorite coupe and for all the reasons stated above. And also It's because I am too much of a pussy to build something that crazy. Thank God Kevin Lee has the brass to cut his car within every inch to achieve the look because I'm not sure I have it. The car is perfect because it's purposeful right? Solid mounted rear and a unique 40 front hood spliced into a perfect streamlined front end. This is exactly what a hot rod is based upon but taken to a whole other level. I had a thread on Dickie Flippen's coupe that was inspired by the Chrisman Coupe. And even though it pretty bad ass, it does not touch the real thing. Nice friday addition.

12-19-2008, 11:25 AM	#10
JeffreyJames Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SUGAR CITY Posts: 15,934	Re: The Chrisman Coupe Can I also add that I absolutely think that TRJ should commission cut away rendering such as this one. I know that they do the Photo cut away but man these old ones were works of art!

12-19-2008, 11:25 AM	#12
Flea Grenade Inspector Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 127	Re: The Chrisman Coupe Awesome car. Those guys showed a lot of respect by not going for the record.

12-19-2008, 11:38 AM	#13
29EHV8 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Cobble Dragways,B.C, Canada Posts: 2,253	Re: The Chrisman Coupe Arts the most humble guy I know. Just an all around great guy. The craziest thing about the car is when I sat in it. Your nose is just about touching the windshield, the crank pulley in your spine and he went 200mph in it! Nutbar! Ryan, thanks for doing a cool write up on it. Prolly my favorite car ever. -Shiny __________________ "daddy smells like grinder" -- 'lil Ember (my 4yo daughter) http://www.waybackgarage.com

12-19-2008, 11:36 AM	#14
Tbomb428 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 471	Re: The Chrisman Coupe I remember the first time I saw that car. It was at a company Christmas party in 2000 (when it was in a private collection at a car dealership in SoCal). Having no idea of what that car was yet, I was mesmerized by it nonetheless. I could'nt stop staring at it. Still I think it's the most bad-ass hot rod I've ever seen.

12-19-2008, 11:37 AM	#15
froghawk Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 508	Re: The Chrisman Coupe Terrific, moving piece of writing, Ryan. It's great that the car has been preserved and restored to its original state, but ones' heart aches for the potential partially realized, and the pain of loss the guys must have felt to cause them to part with the car and the dream. __________________ *froghawk* aka John Goschke

12-21-2008, 10:08 PM	#17
Used Up Junk Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Merced, CA Posts: 567	Re: The Chrisman Coupe God it's nice to be around people who realise what a hack Barris is. It seems like people who are really into cars get it, but it makes me sick to see people at shows falling all over him like he actually did something great. Everyone know's Sam is the one that had the talent and George had the mouth. And the Chrisman Coupe...What can be said that hasn't already? Simply an amazing car and unbeliveable tallent that built it.

12-19-2008, 11:39 AM	#18
SinisterCustom Old School HAMBer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: METHaway, WA Posts: 8,133	Re: The Chrisman Coupe These WHACKED coupes just rule....Flippen's is so wicked. I can't wait to see Kevin's finished.....it's gonna be right up there with these. __________________ Pinstriping by Josh

12-19-2008, 12:00 PM	#19
JeffreyJames Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SUGAR CITY Posts: 15,934	Re: The Chrisman Coupe A couple more

12-19-2008, 12:04 PM	#20
metalshapes Tech Editor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 10,623	Re: The Chrisman Coupe Pics... Attached Thumbnails __________________ I met a man who's name was time, he said "I must be going" But just how long ago that was, I have no way of knowing.

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