18 Feature black top andwhite body. stainless.Dodge Later onthecarwas repainted with a on thetop andblackonthebottom separated by the a full5inches. Originally thepaint was atwo toned pink front endwas lowered alittlebutthe rear was lowered with buttons that were concealed inthesidetrim. The belt line. The doorhandleswere removed andreplaced installed parallel to the dip in the side body panel at the wastrim usedfrom Lancer a1955Dodge anditwas intoand moldeddirectly the gravel panandshell. Side were rounded. The grille was takenfrom a1956Corvette The hoodanddeckwere moldedandthehoodcorners were andmodifiedwith1955 Lincoln extended taillights. original restylingwent by Barris likethis. The rear fenders since itwas finished, presumably inlate 1955,butthe California.of Maricopa, The car hasseenafew changes This 1955was Hoskin restyled byKustoms Barris for Harry 1955 Chevrolet2-DoorHardtop Harr heads wherever theywent. auto shows andallofthemturning around thecountry of them winning the top awards at the most prestigious 60’s,early Kustoms Barris restyled over 160cars, many the Batmobile, theMunster Coach andDrag-u-la inthe doingcarsfor televisionin 1956-57)started shows like through the time that Georgethe business (Sam left Kustoms was offandrunning. From thetimeitopened first ofmany awards theirhandy work would receive), Barris inLosshow at theNational Angeles Guard (the Armory 5-6-7’s Newsletter 19.2 y Hoskin’s honors atRodExposition thefirstHot when George’s 1941Buickwon top Barris KustomsBarris struggledat first, but by search andwanttosharethe7wecameupwith. many two guys were going to do something special. We wondered how Sam formed Barris of the custom car industry, as we know it today. When names The KUSTOMS T ri-5’sBarris eorge and George Kustoms back in 1946 it was obvious that these ustoms had their hands on. We re- on. some hands did their had Kustoms it was still owned by Harry orifitstillexisted.it was stillowned by Harry We found no information as to this cars current owner, if peared inothers. Popular Customs Winter may Issue, have 1963. It ap 197 Custom Cars 1961Annual andtheaforementioned Trend 156Custom Book Cars 1958Annual, Trend Book Car (whichwas written by andJim Potter), George Barris Custom Cars 1957 Annual, Trend your 143 Restyle Book December 1955, Car Craft in April 1956, Trend 133Book The carappeared inthefollowing magazines. Car in Craft of what was mostassuredly acustom interior. have been made to the interior of the car or any features We were unableto findany information onchanges that may Pearl.the carwas painted inCandy Cherry Lincoln taillights hadbeenreplaced withPackard unitsand butthetop hadbeenchopped2-1/2”,by Harry the1955 sue, 1963,ofPopular Customs. The carwas stillowned A different version of the car appeared in the winter is- am Barris are synonymous with the birth birth the with synonymous are Barris Sam eorge George and - Feature 19 - - ations at the time. The grille was reworked by removing removing by reworked was grille The the time. at ations car had Buick The every other vertical bar. and horizontal in dye with an anodized treated which were hubcaps, the center. In the front Mersearu’s nosed the hood to match the the match to hood the nosed Mersearu’s Infront the upside down. 1958 Chrysler mounted was that 300 grille frenched quad the for modified were fenders front The The headlights. were taillights rear 1956 frenched Packard units. the of course, And, Continental square Kit made by was ItBarris. paint was ed Indigo Blue. on changes that information find any unable to were We of the car or any interior the been made to have may interior. a custom most assuredly was of what features Book Trend magazine, in the following car appeared The in appeared It have 1961 Annual. may Cars 197 Custom cars current this as to no information found We others. still exists. or if it even owner Carol Lewis’s 1956 Chevrolet 2-Door Hardtop 1956 was This for restyled of Lewis Carol Hills, Baldwin who, California was the time, at Dean Jeffries girlfriend. This car appears to left been have stock pretty to compared other Barris cre huck Potter’s Chuck Sedan 2-Door 1955 Chevrolet Shop Body Mersearu’s by actually restyled was car This California. of South Gate, Potter Chuck for in Lynwood built the ItBarris because Kustoms here is mentioned Kit. Continental unique square The interior appears appears interior The be upholstered to in the pearl white was that Naugahyde the time so popular at - not con could (we firm this) with custom and front bucket seats along with front rear - con center and rear This 1955 was restyled restyled was 1955 This for Barrisby Kustoms of Santa Jim Seaton This Maria, California. lookingradical cus- reworked features tom the for fenders front Lucas separated quad and a new cus- removed was grille front The headlights. bullets with perforated screen made from was grille tom and tunneled and frenched were taillights Stock installed. three with plastic fin additions, modified the lenses were Side trim comes plastic tiers. frosted white and two red pearl white a 1955 Dodge painted and the car was from installed under were Lake pipes scallops. with burgundy the rockers. in June 1959, Custom Cars Custom in car appeared The Trend Craft in October in July 1959, Car Cars 1959 and car is currently The 1961 Annual. Cars Book 197 Custom Joe Bortz. car collector, in the collection of concept Jim Seaton’s 1955 Chevrolet p 2-Door Hardto TV the passengers for houses a console front The soles. as well. in the rear is a telephone and there in the rear dash has been The reworked radically with gauges installed and a well in a center was pad dash custom complement made to Jim also the interior. engine on the work did as good so the car ran as she looked. 20 Feature 5-6-7’s over andgotCarol’s caroutbefore itwent upinflames. the fire. Hecalledthe andthenrushed FireDepartment across thestreet having dinnerandwas thefirst to spot Jeffries,Dean whoworked for at thetime, Barris was sent ashower down ofsparks ontheroof, afire. starting and apower linethat went across therear oftheproperty windy night a rainy and was 1957. It Kustoms in fire at Barris lost inthe was almost that thiscar ing to note isinterestIt or ifiteven stillexists. We found noinformation asto thiscarscurrent owner may haveIt appeared inothers. Car (whichwas written by andJimPotter). George Barris 1957, Car inMay 1957, Craft Trend 143Restyle Book Your The car appeared in the following magazines, Dig in March Newsletter 19.2 by KUSTOMS Dean JefferiesDean painted theflames. that matched theflamesoncar…of course; mond shapes(we found nopicsoftheinterior) The interior ofthecarwas upholstered india- - quarter panels. choppedthe windshield andthetop Sam quarter were modifiedwithascoop andflush fitted to skirts the the front fenders andfull-length1957Mercury Turnpike mild customizing was done, Barris’s withSam help. Soon got thecarBillwanted to makesomechangesand evenings. As soon as he shopinthethe Barris days andhungaround adjuster the during worked asaninsurance California.ern BillCarr South- of thefirstsoldin 1955 convertible, one bought abrand new roommate athetime, was George Barris’s goes BillCarr, who The way thestory Aztec”.“The KustomsBarris hadahandinhercreation shewas called Carr of Hollywood, California. Since almost at everyone was Kustoms restyledThis at Barris 1955Chevy for Bill 1955 Chevroletonertible,“TAztec” Bill Carr’s a Mercury a Mercury Turnpike Cruiser were formed into license housingpieces. headlights Quad from grilles wereDeSoto andmodified 57 1957 Olds a pairof1953Studebaker pans. The bumper/ rear endwere identical andformed by using fins were extended. The grille openingand 18 incheswithnewsheetmetalandtherear panels. quarter The rear fenders were extended They reshaped thedoorsanddidscoops onthe ofthevehicle. part changes to almostevery be doneby thetwo Bill’s andwould feature after-hours, at Barris’s shop. The work would some sketches. The planwas to buildthecar, for thecar. George helpedwithdeveloping evenings, andtheycameupwithabasicidea DeCarr, time for in the who Barris worked part thing ever built. Heenlisted thehelpofBill wanted was afull-blown custom unlikeany however, it became clear to Bill that what he - Feature 21 Bill Carr (L) and BarryBill Carr Mazza(R) ------weapons and whatever else they could find. From there there From find. they could else and whatever weapons Aztec auctionedThe was in New Jersey who a man to Eventually it. and sold customizing the original modified used it to its owners when one of it again the FBI seized startedThis known was what as transport drugs. illegal “TheAztec”. of the Curse cur is car The owned rently Barryby Maz- found who za the car rot in ting away a New Jersey He yard. junk immediately with in love fell in 1991; it and, of a car crusher and the jaws AztecThe from he saved he acquired photos from Working Florida. it to moved Barris George he and Bob Nittifrom did a meticulous glory. its former it back to of the car bringing restoration - the coun around various car shows at appears car now The try of the Barry and is the centerpiece Mazza Collection. Don Fletcher’s “El Capitola” p 1957 Chevrolet 2-Door Hardto Capitola” “El actually was car last the - built as col be laboration George tween and Sam Bar Itris. re was styled in Sam’s shop in Car michael near Sacramento the name) and inspired which (the capital of California did the George where Angeles Los then shipped back to work and upholstery. finish Soon after the FBI spoke to Carr, Wilcoxson was put on the was Wilcoxson Soon Carr, after the FBI spoke to the the car from list and the FBI seized 10 most wanted half- Bobby’s Jim Hurley, to According in Arizona. garage apart the car the FBI tore looking stashed loot, for brother, But all this fame and glory to date is not the entire historyBut all this fame and glory is not the entire date to the car thru 1961 showed Bill Carr of this fabulous car. “Bob a guy named or 1962 and then he sold the car to a bank robber an alias used by was Wilcox Bob Wilcox”. who paid him some Wilcoxson Bobby Eye” “One named done the deal was After the car. for cash and a new Pontiac - rela with Arizona in car the stashed had Wilcoxson and house asking questions. Carr’s up at the FBI showed tives The car appeared in the following magazines. Rod and Rod and magazines. the following in car appeared The in July 1958, Custom 1958, Motor Life in May Custom 1958, 1958, Hot Rod Magazine in August in August Cars Book 175 Custom Trend in JanuaryCars Custom 1959, There 12. Number and Roll 1959 Annual & Pleats Cars more. probably were In February 1958 The Aztec was shown at the ninth an- the ninth at Aztec shown The was In 1958 February the Oakland in it won Show Roadster nual National where Barris George and Dean D’Elegance award. Car Custom in 1959. Autorama The to the Detroit Aztec took Jeffries photographed Aztechighly most of the one became The It covers magazine on numerous was in history. customs shoots. photo and in numerous Many of the finest craftsmen in the custom car business car business of the finest craftsmen in the custom Many Barris Aztec at The besides the guys on also did work knobs the for Bob made the Lucite Hirohata Kustoms. Bob the taillights. lenses for as the custom dash as well removable the front Shop fabricated Top Houser of Carson Jr. portion and did the upholstery of the roof and interior. and Dean paint Jefferies the body for prepped Conway car had a Corvette The did the scallops and pin striping. in it. engine for the cantilever roof. Samthe side trim, also did which roof. the cantilever for and stainless stock round 1/2” from formed custom was the extrudedhe designed aluminum inserts graced that George stainless. custom that by the sides surrounded which he called paint, candy mixed the custom sprayed Golden Honey. 22 Feature panels have scoops inthefront to cool thetires andthe was alsoused on ElCapitola.used onAztec The fender aluminumpanellikewhat1954 Lincoln. was An extruded from a1954 Pontiac,made from parts 1953Oldsanda deck lidanddoorsare pushbutton. The was sidetrim nosed, decked and the door handles were shaved. Hood, behind which was agrille similarto the front. The carwas molded likethefrontDesoto andfitwith1957 bumpers had frosted white bars added for effect. The rear was fitted withapairof red lenses, andthe custom taillights outward withflat Tfinson top. The rearofthefins were fins protruded forward into thedoorandtheycanted the carwith1957Lincoln finswhich were 96” long. The and handmade directional lights. the rear, In Sam fit which were tunneledand “V” peakedwithLucas lenses center. Vertical quadLucas headlights were installed grille. The hoodwas “Pancaked” andfeatured abeaded split grille cavity was filled with an aluminumextruded baker grill panswere welded inplace upfront andthe which was achieved by hammering. ApairofStude fabricated. The top hasa1/2” recessed upperpanel, uprights were installed;custom drain mouldingswere 5-6-7’s Newsletter 19.2 by KUSTOMS the glasswas butted together andplastic removed; originally thecarwas asedan.All 5 inches in therear. The side postswere choppedthetopSam 3inchesinfront and - El Capitola took two years to buildandappeared at many the brakes. units created by George, which included cooling fins for just underthelicense plate andthehubcapswere custom exhaust exited in4tubesthecenter oftherear bumper erous amount ofchrome underthepancakedhood. The with three “Deuces”, Edelbrock valve covers andagen- El Capitola’s featured engine compartment a265engine auto shows includingtheSacramento Autorama in1960. It was votedIt oneofthe “Top 10customs of1961- 1962” by Car Magazine. Craft The carappeared in Trend 197Custom Book Cars 1961Annual, Car 1961andSpotlite inApril Craft Book 526, Twenty Top Customs. and afullychromed instrument fully chromed dash moldings bucket seats, acenter console, Martinez. There are 4swivel gold French frieze by Eddie Naugahyde andimported upholstered in white pearl The interior of the car was of lacquer paint onto thecar. All inalltheyshot10gallons Burgundy PearlKandy panels. Pearlthe carinDust White with brakes. JuniorConway painted stereo tapedeck. a telephone anda the cab and the trunk, features a inboth TV ter console. The car the stickincen - steering wheelorby either thecustom “X” be steered by using cluster. The carcould Feature 23 - Stan Robles. He loved the car, he used to ride shotgun in ride shotgun used to he the car, He loved Robles. Stan Dragerton he car out around had the where it when Stan So on him. when an impression made quite up and it grew kind what as to suggestions Nick Bo open to of he was told out pad and sketched build Bo got out a sketch to custom Nick He told experi all about his - the Barris convertible. and the car and with Stan a teenager when he was ences and Nick agreed they build a clone. that Bo suggested with a 1955 2-door He returned looking a car. went for Sedan (post) project car. of Botask the upon set turninginto sedan the convert Sam Barris’s stay to He wanted ible. original, the to close to but he also wanted of some incorporate that the modifications had made over Stan Bo used the same 1956 Chrysler and frame the years. grill quarters rear the treated He grille. custom the recreated with the same extensions Sam had done complete that to on the the 1956 Chrysler He did the same roll taillights. kit. the continental He used pan and incorporated rear Barris the he copied and trimside 1956 the original like just it there of leaving But instead memory. scheme from paint he also used the vertical remembered he quad headlights as the frenched had added as well Stan on the car that as modern touches a few Bo incorporated in lake pipes. model small block installed a late Bo bagged the car, well. package out an updated round to disc brakes and power of a beautiful original. re-creation of Barris’s Bo’s the at debuted convertible Road- National 2004 Grand top won it where Show, ster honors in the Convertible did. as Sam’s Class…just Barris the George When saw the dash, he and signed car, job on the car and it Bosaid that had done an awesome Robles Stan than it had when they had it, looked better car is still The a compliment! said the same thing…..Quite can find. Nick as far as we by Phillips owned - This 1955 1955 This Convertible restyled was Barris- by Kus Sam for toms Barris’s wife. and front The fenders rear extend- were the give ed to longer a car Chevrolet Convertible Sam Barris’s 1955 El Capitola has changed hands a couple of times since times since of couple hands a has changed El Capitola Gollahon named Eula A woman it. owned Don Fletcher Chuckieold grandson 12 year her for El Capitola purchased In Ohio in 1983. GollahonBrookville, of 2005 Hemmings reportedBoucher Guy of Lewiston, that Newsletter eWeekly car was The ago”. years few “a car the Maine acquired the burgundy that fully intact except original and 100% son his and Guy gold. painted were sections car the of Sam built body that the original to down stripped the paint interior The colors. the car in the original and repainted perfect bringwas it a good cleaning to and only required D’Elegance glory. Concourse its former back to The Sam Barris Convertible won First Place in the Convert the in Place First won Sam Barris The Convertible a very the sad end to think this was nice would you Now named Nickguy when a 2002 until Phillips car and it was Utah. had Bo Huff shop in Sunnyside, Bo Huff’s into walked a very knownbecome car builder but more well custom importantly the Barris and convertible remembered he look and the rear fenders were reworked to accept the the accept to reworked were fenders rear the and look extended pan was gravel rear The 1956 Chrysler taillights. thru kitpipes exited Exhaust added. and a continental was decked and the nosed, car was The the bumper corners. Chrysler1956 A frame grille shaved. were handles door were installed and dual spotlights were grille and custom Side lower. help make the windshield appear added to the dip in to parallel modified was a 1956 Ford trim from the upper side of the quarter the belt line behind panel at the door. the 1957 Oaklandible Class at and then it Show Roadster on a used up In 1958 it showed just kind away. of faded airman young a by spotted was it where Arizona in lot car away car right the recognized Stan Robles. Stan named Barristhis of owner newest the was later hours few a and the moved Stan Force he got out of the Air When original. over of Dragerton, his hometown Utah where, car back to He changed to the car. he made modifications the years, the on changes some did and times of couple a paint the added side quad vertical installed Stan headlights, body. the drove Stan pipes. in some lake and frenched scoops and away moving before Dragerton years car around for Inafter 1972, asking his mother-in-laws. the car at storing get the car off her property to Stan Stan’s times numerous was and the convertible called the wrecker mother-in-law to the crusher. hauled off