History BARRIS Shop photos from the late 1950's

Even though it isn't the traditional style kustom we are all used to being credited to Sam B. I think the El Capitola is the cherry on the top of his incredible career. The metalwork on all the sunken and raised panels is such a neat subtle trick that you don't notice right away in pictures. I would say this was probably the final hurrah for radical customs back in the day. How fitting that the man who built it as his last kustom job was Sam Barris!

 

I also have an A Bros Business card, given to be by Barris in the early ‘80s
I asked the question of authenticity to Custom Rodder in Jan 1999.

 

Colin, mate, it's good to see you on here, it's been years, long before the internet we custom car freaks found each other all the way across the world.
Post pics of your cars.

 

The Alexander Bros. business card that is on this site was given to me by Mike Alexander at a car show in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1961, where I was showing my 1959 TBird.

 

x 2

 

Heres a Card George gave me in the mid eighties. Sorry I dont mean to side track the topic just wanted to add it for reference to the other Barris cards.

 

Never saw this card before.

 

Rather than recessed panels - I was told by John Barris that all those separation areas were all raised - with lead!
Can you imagine the amount of lead exposure Sam had during his career?
No wonder the poor guy died early.

 

Rikster, I found more old Kustom pix from the 50's & 60's and will send them to you.

 

WOW ! It's hard to believe that my photos in this thread have been viewed over 5,000 times.
Thank you & enjoy.

 

They are amazing! A glimpse back in time and we all apprecite it and wish we could have been there knowing what we know now.

 

Sweet pictures, thanks for sharing!

 

I just found more Kustom photos & memorabilia from 50's & 60's, & will post them soon.

 

is that a big jar of murano pearl on the floor of the first pic?

 

Yes, it is an old jar of Murano Pearl & a box of baking soda, because the car smelled of mildew.

Gary Birns

 

Thanks Rik,
I like to file these kind of photos under "makes you want to be there." Doesn't come much finer than the Kustom world in technicolour.
Paul

 

I missed this thread the first time and only saw it today. It brings back a lot of memories as we would often cruise over there from Redondo Beach to see what they were working on.

The plaque in the back window of the 57 Pontiac looks familar but I couldn't find it on our website. I think it says Undertakers. I also noted that the owner left the dealer's license plate frame on. Was that a Pontiac dealer in Compton or a used car lot?

Here is a price list I picked up from the Barris shop on one of our trips there .....

 

The plaque does say "UNDERTAKERS" & I believe Washington on the bottom. No answer on dealer.

 

those pics made my day...now I can go back out in the garage and weld up some more rust

 

I have a pair of those rippled exhaust tips.

 

** Would you want to sell the exhaust tip? Any photos?

 

I believe that plaque says "Wilmington"

 

They're NOS, just sitting here, I'll use 'em on a future project maybe my El Camino. I wanted to use 'em on my 54 Chevy but the cutouts I made in the bumper are too small.

 

**After a closer look, you are right. The plaque says "Wilington".

 

so cool! thanks for sharing! i love these old photos...i really enjoyed the story in Rodder's Journal a couple months back

 

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!!

 

Wilington or Wilmington?

 

**Sorry, you are right. It is Willmington

 

I have more photos of the Barris shop....just trying to find them.