SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL MY H.A.M.B. FRIENDS... "THE AZTEC" is one of the wildest, coolest kustoms of All-Time ! If you're new to this Board, or, to the world of R&C History, you might not realize it but this car started out as a humble, daily driver, '55 Chev Convert...But, when they finished with it, it looked nothing like that new '55 ! THIS IS THE CAR THAT'S is on the Legendary List of the "Top Ten Customs Of All-Time", and when George Barris, John D'Agostino, and I got together for our yearly Sunday Morning Session in Salina at the 30th Annual KKOA Lead Sled, The Aztec is one car that I had never talked to George about, and I definitely wanted the story of the build so that I could share it with all of you here at the H.A.M.B. George always gives credit where it's due, and shows how the family of Kustomizers in the R&C Industry can all work in harmony on such a m***ive project as this was. To hear all of the details Click-On Here ! PLUS, you'll be introduced to "THE CURSE OF THE AZTEC" !! Enjoy ! Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net
HAMBER'S... Thanks for the PM's & eMails on this ! We're ALL glad that this Cl***ic is back after almost being lost forever...thanks to Barry Mazza ! And, George's story is from the perspective of the man himself that was involved in the Original build. So it's a win-win for all of us ! JK www.legends.thewwbc.net
One of my favorite over the top kustoms ever ! When the resto was finally finished I could not take my eyes off the finished car ,talk about dedication to save a piece of history Barry did a fantastic job!! The photo shoot for Kustoms Illustrated blew me away....
Got a nice eMail today from Luke Karosi. He's looking forward to seeing it again at the GNRS. If you haven't got his #11 Issue of Kustoms Illustrated, try to find a copy ! He did a SUPER job of shooting the pix & doing a great story on The Aztec. (Lucky guy...he got to ride in it !) SO, we hope that the transport doesn't fail on getting it out to California ! What always amazes me, when I Interview George, is that his "memory banks" have great re-call on almost EVERY car he did...and that he and Sam did. Remarkable ! The Aztec's here: http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage148.html Thanks again to all here at the H.A.M.B. ! Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
I read about it in R&C back in the day and actually saw it for the first time in West Palm Beach at our annual benefit show in 2006. It's a beauty!! The "El Matador" also shown here, was restored b a friend of mine, Harold Murphy...
We where very fortunate to have it appear in at least one of the Orlando Groundhog Gala car shows. Wish it was coming this year. Deserves to be at GNRS! Thanks for sharing, was in awe first time I saw this ride in the flesh. www.groundhoggala.com JT Misfires C.C. Orlando, FLA
So GLAD that the Transport is locked-in for THE AZTEC ! Great news for sure. Re: The "El Matador"...saw it when they had it at the KKOA Lead Sled in Salina a few years back, and of course Murphy & The Striper were there also. It also was at Starbird's Museum. Both really fine, wonderful guys who deserve all the credit they can get for that restoration ! JK www.legends.thewwbc.net
Let me be clear...Murphy did the car. The Striper...stripes! Both are friends and have done stuff for me and are very good!
Here's a Picture of the Aztec at the 2011 GNRS!! Remember that this car was originaly built in 1955-56-57, and restored about 9 years ago.
Great article in The Rodder's Journal awhile back. If you don't have it, and love Kustoms... You need it ! one of the great Kustom, interesting story.
I remember seeing it about 1959-60 as a feature car. Dad had a '56 then and when I showed the pics to him he wouldn't believe it was basically the same car when they started! REALLY cl*** work all the way!!
I had breakfast with Mr. Mazza and his wife this morning at the hotel before we headed over to the show. I didn't have a clue who he was tell I asked him if he had a car in the show. Very nice guy.
I've never had the pleasure of meeting Barry, but I've ALWAYS heard great things about him & his collection, and always wanted to meet him. Wish I could be out there now ! BTW: In case you're going to the GNRS this weekend and haven't heard George Barris' story on the Original build of THE AZTEC, simply click-on this link and hear how it was first shaped, molded, and painted: http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage148.html Have a GREAT time at the GNRS, and enjoy ALL of those Superb Kustoms featured in their Showcase ! Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net
one of my most prized possessions: yes, the Aztec Bill Carr. One of the nicest men I've had the privilege of meeting.
I have known about this car since about 1968 when I started dating Bill Carr's daughter. I have lots of data, photos, mags, show lit, etc. I am so glad to hear that it was rescued and restored. It was far too cool to be lost forever.
I have known Barry and Jeanie for over 20 years.They are very nice people and very down to earth.We were all part of the same car club back here in NJ.The Kustom Knights was THE custom club to belong to back in the '80s. We had the most beautiful cars on the road back then.They were built by the owners and driven.When we went to a show,we were there in force. Just type in Kustom Knights in the search box,you should come up with something.
Right you are Wagonmaster2 ! When George, John D'Agostino, and, myself were talking after the Interview Session I mentioned the same thing ! When I first saw it as a kid I had NO IDEA that it was a '55 Chevy...the only "giveaway" to it's iden***y was the dashboard. Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
The Aztec and the Dean Jeffries Porsche reunited at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours Barry - it was a real pleasure to meet you and you tell some great stories....
Karrera... Many thanks for the pic ! It was great that those two could be together, considering Dean's work with George at times back in those days. The Page on my website that has this Interview with George on The Aztec also has Info on the "Criminal Connection". Great car glad you posted the pic ! Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net
UPDATE ON "George Barris & The Aztec Story" FOR 2018: The late-George Barris, John D'Agostino, and, myself, discussed the importance of "The Aztec", how it was built, its almost-fatal demise, and, the beautiful, fantastic restoration of this legendary car by Barry Mazza, in our July 25th, 2010, Interview Session at the KKOA Leadsled in Salina, Kansas. BECAUSE OF ITS IMPORTANCE, I have revised, revamped, and widened the Interview Page. There are bigger graphics, larger print, and I've added & updated some Info, so that all of you can re-live not only the Interview with George, but so that you can hear how p***ionate he always was about the Rod & Custom Industry, and how "we're all in this together" as a part of a special "family" that exists World Wide ! THIS IS TRULY one-of-a-kind story as only GEORGE BARRIS could tell it, PLUS, you'll see & read Special Info on "THE CURSE OF THE AZTEC": How, after Bill Carr sold the car, Con Men, Bank Robbers, a Murderer, and, the F.B.I., got involved with the "Aztec" !! AND, "Cool Info" is what it's all about in Car Kulture DeLuxe Issue #86 (February, 2018) which has a great Interview with the "AZTEC'S" long-time owner/restorer Barry Mazza ! READY? ALL YOU HAVE to do is CLICK-ON-THIS-LINK...and you're on your way ! ENJOY ! Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
Thanks for the eMail, Jimmy ! You are right...as George tells the "Aztec" story it's as honest & sincere as it can be. He was truly a kind, wonderful, iconic figure in the R&C Industry...who never stopped "spreading the word" of Kustoms everywhere he went. It was an honor to know him...and to share his stories like this one with all here at the H.A.M.B. http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage148.html Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
Hambers... All of the pix & info that's been shared is GREAT ! If anybody else has some pix to share or stories about George, Barry Mazza, Bill Carr, Junior Conway, Dean or anyone else connected with the "Aztec"...please Post 'em ! We'd love to seem 'em...as this kustom is one that will never be forgotten as you'll hear George mention in the Interview: http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage148.html Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
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