Interesting news item about Universal challenging George Barris' representations about cars that he owns/exhibits: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-custom4may04,0,1978903,full.story It's a shame that George seems to toot his horn for all the entertainment-related **** -- even stuff that was built by others -- rather than the really original and excellent stuff that he did earlier with Sam.
I think we pretty much already knew he did that. If the car was anywhere near his shop, he claimed it as a Barris car. If he sent it out somewhere to be done, but it was origi****ly comissioned through Barris, it was just known as a Barris car. Isnt that sorta how that works though?
Much ado about nothing. He had the forsight to know many of these cars would become icons (such as the Monkeemobile) and grabbed them while he could. I for one give him credit.
I wasn't suggesting that his misrepresentations were news -- I agree, that's common knowledge. The news is that somebody has taken legal action to have him stop doing that. Additionally, I was commenting that it's a shame he chooses these bogus credits over the authentic honor deserved by the brothers' earlier work.
Kind of sad....Sam built so many Kool cars that George could be saying he built ...and he would have gotten away with it....OH wait he already does lay claim to all of Sam's work.... John
I was there and it didn't really go down like that. At the dedication there were kustom cars, hot rods and movie cars parked everywhere on the property; the gr***, the sidewalks, and the road. I, much like a lot of other spectators I'm sure, just thought people that came drove what they had. I've heard of him taking credit before but why would they make such a big deal about it that day of all days?
Barris is an attention ***** and always will be. That guy lies more than an old dog...... Duckus****us
Yeah... But then the article still says this "That explains why there are multiple Batmobiles countless fibergl*** knockoffs owned by "Batman" movie fans as well as the original Barris-built version." If Bill Cushenberry built that car he deserves the credit ( or blame...) for it.
The Monkeemobile was built by DEAN JEFFRIES-- Not George Barris!!!! http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Desert/7445/themonkees.htm
From the article: For his part, Barris said his references in interviews to "our cars" and "my stunt crew" reflect his allegiance to the Hollywood car community as a whole. Over the course of a lengthy TV series' production, picture car construction can be "a group effort," he said. He signs other craftsmen's cars "if they're in my Barris Star Cars Collection. It doesn't mean I built it," he said. "I promote and encourage the car industry. That's what I've always done." --------- It is a shame that George puts so much emphasis on the Hollywood portion of his contribution to the car industry and does not seem to realize that unintentionally, or even intentionally implying that he built more of those cars than he did only tarnishes his image and makes the other things he did do seem more dubious. The guy really did contribute many great things - wether you believe that Sam was the one true master behind the great kustoms we all love -OR- that it was a true team effort with George making important contributions (such as the fantastic side windows frames on the Matranga Merc), we really should acknowledge at least one very important contribution from George: He was one of the few guys during that time who made a real effort to do***ent those cars - at that time - with photographs and information and without that, much of what we can now look back on and view as imortal may have already been lost to time. George had the foresight and knew the importance of promoting it. Otherwise, we probably wouldn't even know who Sam Barris was - another faceless guy who worked on cars at some point in time. In fact, without George's influence and urging...Sam probably would have never even become involved with building customs - Sam just needed a job and George supplied him with one! George's contributions really did have a major impact. I for one was greatly influenced by his series of books that do***ented he & Sam's earliest kustoms, and my own car would have turned out very different without that influence. I'm sure I'm not alone on that one.
I have never seen Barris claim he built it. (Monkeemobile) He owns it (I believe) so he has every right to show it. I might show my car but I don't have a disclaimer board noting that it was originally built by G.M.
Barris... he might be a total pain in the ***... but, he is our total pain in the ***. That article bummed me out a little bit.
I heard about this a couple of weeks ago, but didnt think Universal would go ahead and do it, but I'm kinda glad they did. Let's face it, he had it comming.
My props goes out to Winfield. You get to see what the legend does right in front of your face and is still doing it at his age. Props to Gene W. KNUX!
Yes he is, he is "our guy" All these old guys are "our guys"... Thats why I think that is not right for one to end up with more than his fair share of the credit. And going by the caption by this pic this is nothing new either. Looks like George is leaning in the Chrisman built Bonneville coupe, but it says he spent 3 years building it...
I lived for years in total ignorance of the fact that George Barris ever had a brother, or anyone else in his shop. I still live in total ignorance of much that goes on, but let's save that for another time... Seems to me after reading the article that Mr. Barris is very good at what I'd call 'a lawyer's truth'. Something that you can't prove to be false, but is calculated to make a misleading impression. Like signing your name on someone else's custom. Oh, I mean autograph. If that were my car, I'd repay the compliment by tagging the front of his shop with my name. Oh, I mean autographing... Oh well, time for lunch. -bill
I think he just really enjoys the idea of himself as a movie car "promoter". I would be pissed too if someone claimed a car I built as their own, but it happens everyday... who gives a ****. Next.
We should... If its worth to record history, its worth recording it correctly. The way it really happened...
I think that Barris is maybe a bit of a media junkie, but people don't have the right to bash him, or the stuff he's done. He is one of the fathers of customizing for sure. He just needs some better marketing behind him.
Well, it did change hands and that coupe will always be known as the Chrisman coupe. Maybe the changes they made were 3 yrs. It's like your putting words in his mouth. No way I'm backing up George here, but I whole heartedly agree with Ryan and Cleatus. Hell, Gene even gave claim to Brewsir's 40 Mercury, but we (well I did at least) let it slide and appreciate the end result. George Baris is who is and people need to accept it, I doubt he's gonna change anytime soon. Ken
Right now there's a car for sale on Ebay that's claiming to be built by Barris...Second one I ever saw that claimed to be an old Barris custom..
I for one am shocked that Barris would take credit for work done by others..........................this is the first I have ever heard of it. Yeah, right....................................
Exactly... We have the chance to record it as it was on the HAMB. And revise it and correct it untill we've got it right. Un biased... And that inludes the m***ive contibution George has made to Hot Rods & Customs...
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