George Barris, born George Salapatas on November 20, 1925, in Chicago, rose from humble beginnings to become the definitive name in custom car design. Alongside his brother Sam, George pioneered the “Kustoms” movement, a transformative force in automotive style and culture beginning in the 1940s and ’50s.
After moving to California as a child, Barris honed his skills in local body shops before launching Barris Kustoms in Los Angeles. His inventive approach transformed everyday vehicles into works of art, attracting Hollywood’s attention. His work on the Hirohata Mercury, completed in 1951, became a cornerstone of custom car lore, influencing an entire generation.
Barris Kustoms reached iconic status by creating some of Hollywood’s most memorable vehicles. The company built the famed Batmobile for the 1966 Batman TV series, the Munster Koach and DRAG-U-LA for The Munsters, and various custom cars for celebrities and film productions. These cars weren’t just props; they defined an era and cemented Barris’s legacy.
George’s creativity popularized customization techniques like chopping roofs, channeling bodies close to the ground, and integrating unique accessories. His bold fusion of mechanical skill and artistic vision created cars that instantly became cultural symbols.
Though Barris passed away in 2015, his influence lives on through countless custom vehicles, the continuation of the Barris Kustoms brand, and his influence on car culture worldwide.
