Notice I didn't attach the Barris name to the car. They were commissioned to build it, which sometimes leads to unfortunate (owner-driven) results. I'm sure that car helped Barris pay a lot of bills, but at the end of the day it's a bright yellow chopped '48 Studebaker 4dr with fins stuck on it.
Well, Barris Kustoms built the Greecian for Earl Wilson, it was finished in 1952 and a quite stylish kustom. As with many of the 50's Barris kustoms the later updates turned out less good looking... (there are a few that look good in their second verion as well, but they are updates made in the earlier part of the 50's). The Modern Greecian might be one of the best/worst examples of a second design that did go wrong, the butterfly wings are nothing but a circus gadget. I hope for a restauration to the first version in lime/gold paint and a white leather/green velvet Carson-made interior...
I was looking at some old car with my dad at the Goodguys show this weekend that had some mish-mosh of canted headlights and crazy bumpers and stuff in it. Dad said something about how horrible it was, but really, it was no worse (actually pretty similar) to some of the stuff that appeared in those old custom magazines in the 50s. I mean, there was some really, really bad stuff that got their pictures printed in some of those old rags. Don't get me wrong--I love looking at that old stuff. But there was a lot of it that I would be embarassed to be seen in, even today.
This subject has been covered here before. 67 pages worth http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153725&highlight=ugly+ass+customs
I think this is another Kurtis, Omohundro. Although I have not seen one with the '40 Ford headlight doors. Mr. Hacker, are you out there?!
Wow... this post is really one of the hamb's low points since a long time. Not only the topic.. but most of all the lack of historic custom car knowledge!!! The car in this photo was already identified in the fourth responce!!! shocking !!!
This thread is a good reminder that custom isn't always better It did remind me of this old thread, wonder what ever happened to this unidentified car? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83570&highlight=ladawri
Looks like someone was trying to imitate some of Harley Earles rocket themed cars. Several of the originals had joysticks.
The mess attributed to Sam Barris is a desecration of his skills and his achievements while working both with George and on his own. This car clearly is the work of an amateur. Leave it at that.
Wow, I've only gotten through Pg 1, and there are SURE some HITS and, well, misses. GotGas that CLASSIC you put up is a feast for the eyes! Well done custom in the old style. Love it.
WOW again. Got through all 3 pages, after falling down laughing over some of the PIX, plus guys' INPUT!!! Sure goes to show that TASTE was different in the '50s/early'60s customs. (And sometime TASTE was all in a guy's mouth.) NObody would do 'em like that now. It's like a blast from the past, like looking through the rod/custom mags way back when. I wish I'd taken pix of some of the stuff guys put together in my hometown back in the early & mid-'60s. Young guys were poor & just wanted to try & make the scene best they could with whatever they could cobble together. I'll get shot by other HAMBers for defending some of the oldies. We all know what a low-boy or high-boy, chopped or dropped coupe really oughta look like. Those guys back then were in their own very LOCAL niche. This has been like a piece of early custom history here. (I still like the "Grecian," though. LOL)
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That one I really like. I took the picture at the Iola, Wisc. show. Orphan cars where the feature of the show. Saw a lot of really unique machines.
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