RIP George Barris

[Fumesucker]

http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-george-barris-batmobile-dies-at-89-20151105-story.html

In 1965, producers of the “Batman” television show needed a supercar that Adam West could wield to battle the Joker and the Riddler.

There was just one man for the job: George Barris.

“I saw the script and it said, 'Bang,' 'Pow,' 'Boom,' ” Barris told The Times in 2012. “That's exactly what I wanted the car to be able to do. I wanted it to be as big a character as the actors themselves.”

It took 15 days and $15,000 for Barris to transform a 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura into the iconic midnight black and fluorescent-red-pinstriped Batmobile with plexiglass bubble windshields — “bulletproof,” of course. He didn’t forget the Bat Ray, with its dual 450-watt laser beams for obliterating obstacles, the Bat-O-Meter for identifying the bad guys, or the oil squirters for repelling evildoers.

[reddread]

1. King of Kustoms

what sad news, but such a legend to leave behind!
I loved collecting his bubble gum cards as a kid.
each and every vehicle sweet and tasty.
the bubble gum not so much.

[CanSocDem]

2. Sad news...

...as are all the deaths of 60's artists. I'm glad he lived as long as he did. The American Pickers paid him a visit a couple of years ago and it was good to see him up and about but it was obvious that he'd seen better days.

He was a true visionary in automotive design. Between him and Ed Roth, I learned that there were no limits in car design.

Condolences to his family.



.

[madaboutharry]

3. I learned about him on American Pickers.

He was something special.

[90-percent]

4. I've been a car guy since age 10, 1964

George was indeed iconic and a pioneer and he monopolized the role of "car customizer to the stars" since the batmobile munster days.

Another childhood hero gone. At least he was around for a long time. We lost the incredible Big Daddy Roth way too soon.

But there's a lot of fifties guys still at it. Gene Winfield, the "inventor" of the fogged multi-color candy apple paint job, is still at work every day and he gives customizing classes at car shows all over the country.

Bill Hines is a lead master from that era still doing it. Before bondo was invented, auto bodies had seams and low spots filled with lead from the factory, which is why some of GB's car's from the early fifties are referred to as "lead sleds".

-90% Jimmy

[yuiyoshida]

5. I don't recall where or when but

I remember seeing that car, at some car show. It was parked not too far from where the 007 Goldfinger car was parked. I was more impressed with the Batmobile at the time.

[SoapBox]

6. Still watching Batman!

On Sateurday nights, Me TV...because everything else on stinks.

We always laugh when the car comes to a halt, watching it sort of rock/bounce...it was quite a boat!

RIP George.

[90-percent]

7. origins of the batmobile

It was originally a Lincoln division scratch built show only cats. Such cars are eventually destroyed, but this one found its way out the back door. -90% jimmy