Top Custom

Wow, you might as well ask what's my favorite song of all time.

I love the elegance and sweeping grace of Sam Barris' Buick. Clean, simple, smoothness that flows so wonderfully.


Of course someone will post some other car that I forgot about and make me change my mind.

 

I think there was a post on this a couple of weeks ago. It got killed. I think, I couldn't find it under search.


Personally, I could never pick just one. There are too many different styles for just one to be the best. There are so many that fit that bill IMHO.

 

The other post seemed geared more toward the most influential custom, although many people posted their favorite. I think favorite's even tougher to choose, but at the moment, the Barris-built Aztec is the one that gets my blood going. To me, that car holds nothing back, but doesn't cross the line into being overly gaudy.

Thanks for adding the photo, Ryan...the one I uploaded bumped yours out, presumably 'cause I used the same name.

Bryan

 

I would say it was the one that was at 'Paso this year. The green Merc. I believe it was also the very 1st chopped Merc to be done. Laid55 was telling me about it months ago and said that it had this awesome green that I should use on my '54 Chrysler. Now I know why seeing it in person. KNUX!

 

Yep, that's the one. Although, you make a nice case for the Larry Ernst Chevy, but I like the purple version better. Oh yeah, you've got a gun... I'll stick with the Barris Buick.

 

Not sure if this qualifies.....not sure when was built.....but it RULES.....



The Matranga Merc is my fav of ANY custom "list".....the era of 1950 -'58 had alot of change within it among customs.......

 

Without a doubt this is my favorite.
1940 Matranga Merc built in 1950.

 

Sam's Buick has been a favorite of mine for a long time. And yet, there are things that I would change about it. Here's a color pic, courtesy of Rikster's page.




And that is playing within the 1950-1958 guidlines. There's a certain '60 Chevy around Austin that is probably my all time favorite!

 

Mantranga's car is my favorite too

edit....sorry, didnt realize it was cars manufactured from 50-58
so im changing my vote to Sam Barris's merc
Zach

 

Watson's "Grapevine" damnit!

Both versions....

 

I thought you meant cars that were built between 1950-1958.

 

Me too!

 

What do you guys think about Bob Hirohata's Barris built 51Merc......

 

Ryan, what a surprise to open the HAMB and see not only my favorite custom but the car I had cloned. It was mine you saw at the 50th Oakland and it was a thrill to have a car of the caliber expected at that prestigious show. This photo is the closest I have to the view you showed of the original. I fell in love with the car from the photo on the cover of the Dec. 1953 Hot Rod mag. and never lost that feeling. With so many fabulous customs built in the 50's and 60's it would be hard to focus on just one. All the ones previously mentioned are absolute top choice cars for design and execution. I would love to own any of them. Kustoms forever..........

 

this one has always been mine...

 

Moonglow.

 

Zocchi's 1956 Chrylser Windsor




picture courtesy of rikster's site

 

It's what most people think of when the word "Kustom" is used...



But, it's actual name is "The Hawaiian"

 

Another vote for MOONGLOW!!!

 

Sam Barris 1950 Buick.

There are others that come close.... but if I have to pick one from that era...
It will be this one. The side profile says it all.. PERFECTION

Photo from the Barry Mazza Collection.

 

I'm going to put in another vote for the Barris Buick.

 

Austin Mafia style, holmes!


I'm actually pretty partial to the Ernst Chevy too (hell, it inspired a future designer to pretty much copy it (La Jolla)). But with the barrel of a gun pressed against my temple, I'm gonna have to change partial to full-on. This is one of the few "non-Merc" customs (along with Moonglow, both of which succumbed to disappearance) to receive such acclaim, and deservedly so.

 

Hirohata Merc for me....no question. So many good ones, though. I'm also with 1lowlesabre for Watson's Grapevine near the top of my list.

 

it would have to be the Sam Barris merc. that car is just so right in every way.

 

The Sam Barris Merc falls short by one year!

 

My favorites are all '49 Mercs so to be true to the confines of this post I would have to say Sam's Buick. I don't think anyone has chopped one of these cars as gracefully as Sam did. That profile shot that Rikster posted is the absolute definition of flowing lines.