As a kid of the 60s and 70s The Munsters and Batman were two of my favorite TV shows and it was because of the cars. Was at Barrett Jackson in 2013 with my wife and my dad when the Batmobile was there. They had it roped off and I just had to reach over and touch it! RIP
Very sorry to hear. Not only a great customizer and promoter of our car life style, but a terrific photographer. Hell, he even took some great shots of Marilyn Monroe.
RIP George...A true legend who influenced so many...his legacy will live on forever in his amazing customs..
Very sad. Love or hate some of his later work etc. he brought our hobby along way! George give those Pearly Gates a fresh coat of paint, add some metalflake and some fogging!!!!!
What was the quote on a Rbt. Wms. Painting, " hell with a hammer devil with a torch". Something like that. RIP
Yeah, I heard yesterday too. Like others have said, I always thought he did a tremendous amount for our hobby. Very humble beginnings but worked like a dog to get where he was. The true American Dream. Met him at several car shows along with Ed Roth, Von Dutch, etc. These guys always gave you time to talk about their passion. That's what drove me deep into this hobby. I hope I can give back 1/10 of what they did. RIP Mr. King of the Kustomizers.
Every kid that built model cars back in the day knew about George Barris. That was back when the AMT kits came with that crappy tube of putty in them. But some of those may have been Alexander Bros or Winfield inspired... anyway, we all knew who he was.
RIP George. I remember as a kid watching re-runs of the Munsters and seeing the Munster Koach and Dragula. I was fascinated by them, and so started my love for cars. Thank you for all you did George! -Chris
Just read the sad news. I had met with George quite a few times and he was always a class act,even while asking my now "ex" to please step out of the picture we were taking I still have the picture,he knew. Thanks for the great times,you will be missed George. God Bless Funk 49
Met him several years ago, he was just standing around by a stage at SEMA, he signed the back of my business card... the only thing I had on hand. Hangs in my office. I was happy to finally met him after growing up reading about the cars since I was a kid. It's a rainy day here in Texas...very appropriate.
Here we are in the D... Larry and Mike Alexander are gone.... Now George in Cali... Condolences to the Barris family. Your man George was an absolute legend in the esteemed craft circle of Kustomized Car Kulture Truly a great car builder - he and Sam set forth a look that is now saught for huge money the world over - The Chopped '50 Merc. I the minds of most, Theirs (the Sam Barris Merc and the Hirohata are THE gold standard. Customizers the world over should observe a moment of silence for our passed comerade. George was to Kustoms what Stevie Ray was to the Blues May God rest his soul
told the wife of his passing, she said "dangit! I never did get to go on that date with him!" then she retold the story of meeting him at an Autoramma here in Seattle years ago, apparently he lived up to his reputation that day, flirting with every young lady that paid him attention. At one point he asked her what she did for a living and she said "nuclear physicist" he seemed impressed and asked what she was doing after the show.. 'must have been a fun conversation as I've heard it many times over the years. he will be remembered for a long long time.
The Jalopy Journal
