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07-29-2020, 12:42 PM | #1 |
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Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Good stuff here....Especially the memories conjured....Great olden day photos....
Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKrg...L9fSKKHwamubxD Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y5i...amubxD&index=2
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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 Last edited by petehoovie; 07-29-2020 at 04:46 PM. |
07-29-2020, 02:16 PM | #2 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Yes, Pete, really enjoyed watching both of those.....absolutely beautiful car and amazing workmanship.
Thanks for posting the links. |
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07-29-2020, 02:35 PM | #3 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
GEORGE Barris was nothing but a Bondo-bandit 'hack job' that figured-out how to peddle some good cars that he trashed into bad cars, strictly for the bucks! Now his brother Sam was a whole 'nuther story at Barris North up until he finished his last of a long list of REAL 'customs' about 1960-ish. DD
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07-29-2020, 05:59 PM | #4 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
What have you contributed to the automotive world Mr. COOPMAN?
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07-29-2020, 06:06 PM | #5 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
I would think in 1950 the custom work for that car would have been done in lead.
Nice custom by the way. And I loved the original Bat Mobile! |
07-29-2020, 06:20 PM | #6 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
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The guy finds joy in ridiculing/criticizing....
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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 |
07-29-2020, 07:42 PM | #7 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Yes, the 50's bring back memories of the two 4 dr. '49 Merc's I had in 1957, one stock and the other in process of being customized.
A couple of tidbits- 1954 Pontiac grille (new $14.75), new '51 rear quarters ($42.00), used '51 rear window and surrounding sheet metal, ($15 )
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07-29-2020, 07:54 PM | #8 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
You sure this is the way you two guys want to go? So what....am I now required to call Ryan every time I want to state my opinion on something? I don't believe we need your drama here, guys! Now, joyfully back to our regularly-scheduled programming. DD |
07-29-2020, 08:25 PM | #9 | |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Quote:
Great picture! If I recall correctly, the '54 Pontiac grille was a common swap out item for the '51 Merc - almost looked like it was meant to be. Did you ever finish the one "in progress"?
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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 |
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07-29-2020, 08:44 PM | #10 | |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Quote:
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07-29-2020, 08:56 PM | #11 | |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Quote:
It was driven for a short period of time until a long haul trucker saw it parked at my place of employment. He made me an offer for it and next thing it was on it's way to South Carolina. Seemed like a lot of money at the time but it went for $700
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07-29-2020, 09:38 PM | #12 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Even the 49 Mercury four door looked good customized!
I think it was a combination of styling, and the suicide rear doors. |
07-30-2020, 11:23 AM | #13 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
yup, never had one but sure do like those 49-51 mercs
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07-30-2020, 11:48 AM | #14 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
49-51 custom Mercs can't be beat. Some day...........
Last edited by 19Fordy; 07-30-2020 at 11:59 AM. |
07-30-2020, 12:16 PM | #15 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Yes, a great looking body style and one which I'd love to have.
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07-30-2020, 12:18 PM | #16 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
When I was a kid in high school ... in a small coal mining and steel town ... George Barris was bigger than John Wayne or Elvis or Marilyn. At least to me and my buds in Mech Drawing class where we spent more time drawing custom cars than anything else.
The Hirohata Merc might as well have been on the moon. Along with James Dean's Merc. Barris was from Mars. Late in life I got to actually touch those cars ... and chat with George Barris several times. Without doubt one of the nicest guys ever. It was like we had been in Mech Drawing class together.
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"Remember that when it comes to intelligence, half of all of us are below average." Last edited by Hoop; 07-30-2020 at 12:42 PM. |
07-30-2020, 01:30 PM | #17 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Barris Biography > https://kustomrama.com/wiki/George_Barris
And > http://www.barris.com/history.php George Barris' 1941 Buick Convertible. Completed late in 1947, this was the car that established George as a builder. It was shown at the first Hot Rod Exposition in January of 1948, where it won top honors. Winning that show put Barris Kustoms on the map, and they consequently moved their operation to larger premises at 7674 Compton Avenue.
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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 Last edited by petehoovie; 07-30-2020 at 01:41 PM. |
07-30-2020, 01:33 PM | #18 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Thanks PeteHoovie for starting this topic, I found the videos interesting.
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07-30-2020, 02:05 PM | #19 | |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Quote:
And, I've always been partial to those Merc's ,although I've never been lucky enough to own one. Used to work in Hartford back in the late 1960's. Can imagine your project car at your place of employment!! Lots of highly skilled people working there back then. |
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07-30-2020, 03:07 PM | #20 |
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Re: Customs - The Beginnings with Barris
Now Ed “Big Daddy” Roth was another story. He lived in fiberglass and Bondo. But he sure knew how to promote and sell! His items can still be bought on line today! In fact I still have some “Rat Fink” T shirts.
I remember all the bubble gum cards from when I was a kid. |
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