The Chrisman Coupe is probably one of the most idolized cars ever built. I think of a lot of that has to do with the generally childish nature of hot rodders. Let's face it, the car is simply sinister in appearance and that was the initial turn on f... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
Art is the racers racer- He will still shoot the bull with you about the early days (just had a great talk with him at the swap meet last week). They are working on a book about his life. Hard to beat the below stat- number 2 in the 200MPH club! 2. Art Chrisman of Compton, California drove Chet Herberts Beast III 235.991 mph August 28, 1952.
I have been waiting for your words on this car Ryan. It is absolutely my favorite coupe and for all the reasons stated above. And also It's because I am too much of a pussy to build something that crazy. Thank God Kevin Lee has the brass to cut his car within every inch to achieve the look because I'm not sure I have it. The car is perfect because it's purposeful right? Solid mounted rear and a unique 40 front hood spliced into a perfect streamlined front end. This is exactly what a hot rod is based upon but taken to a whole other level. I had a thread on Dickie Flippen's coupe that was inspired by the Chrisman Coupe. And even though it pretty bad ass, it does not touch the real thing. Nice friday addition.
To me, that car is more Dobie Gillis than Chrisman Coupe... The original car was badass. One of my 3 all time favorite Hot Rods...
I can definitely see that. I was just referring to TRJ article where it said that Dickie set out to mimic the Chrisman Coupe. I can see how that started out but as you read on and you see how he was working with Mickey Thompson and those guys the car probably was dictated by the drag-strip and the heavy hitters in California in the late 50's early 60's.
Can I also add that I absolutely think that TRJ should commission cut away rendering such as this one. I know that they do the Photo cut away but man these old ones were works of art!
The Dobie Gillis car was the Chrisman Coupe, after Barris did his Damage to it. So maybe that's what he meant...
Yeah, but I thought that he started building that car in 55-56 so wouldn't that have been the original Chrisman coupe? I can't see anybody trying to mimic the Gillis car. That thing was a turd! I will lose all my respect for the Flippen coupe if so. Hahaha!
I remember the first time I saw that car. It was at a company Christmas party in 2000 (when it was in a private collection at a car dealership in SoCal). Having no idea of what that car was yet, I was mesmerized by it nonetheless. I could'nt stop staring at it. Still I think it's the most bad-ass hot rod I've ever seen.
Terrific, moving piece of writing, Ryan. It's great that the car has been preserved and restored to its original state, but ones' heart aches for the potential partially realized, and the pain of loss the guys must have felt to cause them to part with the car and the dream.
Arts the most humble guy I know. Just an all around great guy. The craziest thing about the car is when I sat in it. Your nose is just about touching the windshield, the crank pulley in your spine and he went 200mph in it! Nutbar! Ryan, thanks for doing a cool write up on it. Prolly my favorite car ever. -Shiny
These WHACKED coupes just rule....Flippen's is so wicked. I can't wait to see Kevin's finished.....it's gonna be right up there with these.
The Damage was undone, so its all good. Hopefully somebody will have the guts, time, money and taste, to do the same for the Lincoln Futura....
Does anyone know who bought it, and where it ended up? Be a shame to have it dissapear from the public's view
The guy that owns Meecum Auctions bought it with Art's blessing and agreementy that it will be displayed in the NHRA museum- not locked away.
Final race version of the original car was 111% bad ass. The restored version is 100% bad ass, but still missing the more important extra 11% that can now never be recovered. Still, nice to still have it with us and to be able to see it restored to the race version none the less.
Thanks for the nod, but there is someone out there going a lot further than I am with a full on race car. Not sure if he is fully "out of the closet" with his build so I'll let him answer if he's ready. But if the timing is right I think they should both see the salt around the same time.
Tony Thatcker told me there were guesses that it would bring in the $300,000 range.. I never heard what It brought.. anyone know? By far, one of the coolest hot rods EVER! I recently bought one of those Issues of Hot Rod just so I could Enlage Cut away drawing in to a poster for my shop. Beautiful! J Shaw (the history of this car also backs my theory of GEORGE BARRIS WAS ONE OF THE WORST THINGS TO EVER HAPPEN TO HOT RODDING.) ---
I dissagree... It's still Gangsta... The Chrisman coupe was one of my original favorite hot rods... I still like it but as I get older my tastes have changed and I find myself not digging the details quite as much. It's wierd how that happens. There was a time when that car was my desktop in various 'poses' for over a year... One thing for sure though... All other Lakes Coupes are measured by that car. I don't think you can get any more 'lakes-coupe' than the Chrisman coupe.
Man, that is about the same as that old Del. license plate mentioned in the other thread. I think I would rather have the coupe.
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