Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Find of the Day: Barris-built 1972 Lincoln Bugazzi has interior like a dictator's bathroom]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/20/find-of-the-day-barris-built-1972-lincoln-bugazzi-has-interior/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/20/find-of-the-day-barris-built-1972-lincoln-bugazzi-has-interior/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/20/find-of-the-day-barris-built-1972-lincoln-bugazzi-has-interior/#commentsFiled under: , ,

George Barris-designed Bugazzi -- Click above for image gallery

We're beginning to think that George Barris' movie cars were more restrained than his customer cars -- and that Dolemite had the man on speed dial. Barris built the car you see above: a Bugazzi (boo-GOT-zee), which started out as a 1972 Lincoln Mark IV and was turned into "an American version of a Rolls-Royce."

That means it's been slathered in thirty coats of pearl lacquer and trimmed with 24-carat gold-leaf, hand-applied pinstripes. Up front are two lanterns where the headlights would normally go. Inside, you'll find gold, suede upholstery, Persian rugs, Italian doorhandles mounted on Italian marble slabs, a television, and a back seat wet bar. That could explain why the car cost $10,000 more than a Rolls. Or not.

There were but 12 built, and not only were they bought by celebrities and the owner of the Mustang Ranch, but Motor Trend named it Car of the Month in July, 1973. We don't know what number this car is, nor do we know how many have survived, but we do know you can take it home from Daniel Schmitt & Company for $99,000. Back in October, this car passed under the gavel at an RM Auction in October for a mere $19,800. We know that Barris had set out to make an American Rolls-Royce here, and we understand Schmitt & Co are looking to turn a profit here. But $99K? Guys -- it's not a real Rolls.


Gallery: 1972 Barris-built Lincoln Bugazzi


[Source: Hemmings Motor News]

Find of the Day: Barris-built 1972 Lincoln Bugazzi has interior like a dictator's bathroom originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1967 Voxmobile by George Barris - Click above for image gallery

Feelin' Groovy? Do you like guitars, speed and attention? If so, check out eBay Motors item number 260492703795. It's the one-and-only George Barris-created Voxmobile! Powered by a Cobra 289, it's said to be the fastest promotional vehicle ever created with an estimated top speed of 175 mph. Not that we'd recommend it. Molded from wood, plastic, steel and fiberglass, the fully-functional, guitar-sided Voxmobile was designed for publicity and incorporated a bunch of Vox musical components.

Think of it as a super-quick parade float, or better yet, a '60s calliope, with 32 guitar inputs, a Vox Super Continental organ, three Vox Beatle amplifiers, and a dozen or so additional speakers. Most of it still works, but the seller says this original, unrestored, 40-year-old custom vehicle needs a bit of work to make it all hum.

The Voxmobile was once owned by the world's fastest guitarist, Jimmy Bryant, and was almost a Hollywood star, dropped from the final cut of the Jack Nicholsen flick, Psych-Out. It still made the promotional lobby cards though. And it can be yours for the low-low price of just $175,000. The seller will even help you source a correct bass and head unit to complete the package. This thing is a hoot, but the promotional video for it is stellar. You won't believe the level of talent that came out to reminisce about this Barris creation. Check out the groovy YouTube video after the jump and the full gallery of pics by clicking below.


Gallery: 1967 Barris Voxmobile


[Source: eBay Motors]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: George Barris' rockin' 289 Cobra-powered 1967 Voxmobile [w/VIDEO]

eBay Find of the Day: George Barris' rockin' 289 Cobra-powered 1967 Voxmobile [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Barris VoxmobileBarrisVoxmobilecustom carcustom carsCustomCarCustomCarseBayeBay MotorsEbayMotorsgeorge barrisGeorge Barris VoxmobileGeorgeBarrisGeorgeBarrisVoxmobileGuitarguitar carGuitarCarguitarskustom carKustomCarvoxVoxmobileTue, 20 Oct 2009 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Presenting the Kustom Kar photography of George Barris]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/video-presenting-the-kustom-kar-photography-of-george-barris/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/video-presenting-the-kustom-kar-photography-of-george-barris/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/video-presenting-the-kustom-kar-photography-of-george-barris/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

If you look up the name George Barris, you'll find two famous individuals from the same era. One snapped iconic photos of Marilyn Monroe and Dwight Eisenhower, while the other took shots of hot-rodded Chevys and Buicks. While we're sure George Barris the celebrity photographer was great, our attention is, as always, drawn to the car guy with the same name. Barris, as you well know, was one of the pioneers of the multi-billion-dollar custom car industry, and he took as much pride in the pictures he took to show off his work as he did the custom jobs that made him famous. Barris's photos eventually landed in popular magazines like Hot Rod and Rod & Custom. Follow the jump to look at some of the photography that helped make George Barris a household name... at least in the car world.

[Source: YouTube via The Garage Blog]

Continue reading VIDEO: Presenting the Kustom Kar photography of George Barris

VIDEO: Presenting the Kustom Kar photography of George Barris originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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George Barris' Esso Tornado - Click above for a gallery of images

As the story goes, Esso Oil asked custom car guru George Barris (he of Batmobile, Munster Koach and Drag-u-la fame) to create four custom Oldsmobile Toronado coupes for the 1967 Canadian Expo. The car you see above is dubbed Toronado 67X, and according to the seller on eBay, it is one of the only two cars remaining. The big coupe was originally gold, but time and poor treatment have turned it a lovely shade of something other than gold (well, several lovely shades, actually).

Although the auction has just ended, we thought you'd still enjoy a glimpse of what the seller calls the "Project car find of a lifetime" (which might be how long it would take to get it back together). Structurally, the Olds appears to be sound enough, but you can forget about the floorboards and the interior (which includes a wraparound rear couch!). Despite its obvious shortcomings, the car's provenance has helped it gain an appraisal value of $21,500 (which is about $15,000 more than a brand new Toronado listed for in 1966). On the auction itself, there's even a video of the engine running but you hear a lot more wind than engine.

The car was bid to $7,701 but ultimately failed to meet reserve, so we expect to see it back up on the ol' eBay block sooner rather than later. In the meantime, click the link below to learn more about this unique piece of Barris history, and check out the gallery of photos below. Hat tip to Jay!


Gallery: George Barris Tornado


[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: George Barris Oldsmobile Toronado 67X originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BatSmart from SEMA - Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the most unusual vehicles to grace last year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas is now up for auction on eBay Motors. Called the BatSmart, this little vehicle was unlike most of the high-octane pieces of rolling artwork at the event in that it used just three pistons and 70 horsepower to move along its twin passengers. What it loses in power, though, it makes up in style, right?

Designed by George Barris himself, creator of the original Batmobile from the mid '60s, the Batsmart features a faux turbine and rocket launchers to go along with its full custom body kit, which includes the requisite rear batfins and rodent-like pointy nose. Click here to see the auction page and be sure to check out our gallery below. Thanks for the tip, Mick!


Gallery: eBay Find of the Day: Batsmart


Gallery: SEMA 2008: Barris BatSMART


[Source: eBay via All Cars All The Time]

eBay Find of the Day: The Batsmart originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every once-in-a-while we come across something wacky enough to get us to stop in our tracks, suppress a giggle, and point-and-shoot. While at the Art Center Car Classic this weekend, we had one of those moments. A Prius with a pretty pronounced proboscis caught our eye while we were checking out the parking lot. As strange as it seemed, we remembered seeing it somewhere before. And then we saw Kustom Kar King George Barris at the other end of the lot and it clicked. This Prius was done by Barris and shown at SEMA last year. We even did a post on it way back in 2005.

We did a quick search and found this info about the green (and gold) machine. The wheelwells were stretched by 2 inches and eyebrow-style flares were added to accommodate the American Racing 18-inch chrome wheels. The wheels have green centers and are wrapped in BF Goodrich low-profile tires. The paint is hand detailed with pinstripes and teardrops. There's even a ducktail spoiler out back. Funky and fun, but we'll pass, thanks.

Random Wackiness: Pretty peculiar Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Art Center Car ClassicArtCenterCarClassicGeorge BarrisGeorgeBarrisSEMAToyota PriusToyotaPriusMon, 16 Jul 2007 19:03:00 EST<![CDATA[A sale of biblical proportions: The Ghostbusters Ecto 1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/28/a-sale-of-biblical-proportions-the-ghostbusters-ecto-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/28/a-sale-of-biblical-proportions-the-ghostbusters-ecto-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/28/a-sale-of-biblical-proportions-the-ghostbusters-ecto-1/#commentsFiled under: ,



Do you believe in UFOs, astral projection, mental telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trance mediums, the Loch Ness monster and the theory of Atlantis? Do you have problems of a supernatural nature in your garage? The Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Ill., is ready to believe you and relieve you of your hauntings with the actual Ghostbusters Ecto 1. If you're interested in buying, be ready for Volo to also exorcise $149,000 from your bank account.

Before George Barris got a hold of it, Ecto 1 was a very straight, rust-free 1959 Miller-Meteor Cadillac ambulance. Now it transcends its humble ambulance beginnings and has become an icon of 1980s film.

[Source: Hemmings Motor News via TechEBlog]

A sale of biblical proportions: The Ghostbusters Ecto 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Jan 2007 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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