It seems that at the end of each year, we look back at famous people that were lost and we look back at their careers. This past November, the car world lost one of its legends as we said goodbye to the one and only George Barris.
He was known as the “King of the Kustomizers”, and if you had to pick from one of the many vehicle customization as his most famous, it would have to be the Batmobile. It is this Batmobile from the original 1960s television series that people remember most and it cemented his legacy for many vehicles that he produced since. From its wild fins, to red stripe-on-black finish, to its jet turbine engine, this two-seater got the dynamic duo (Batman and Robin) to and from the bat cave to take one the villains in Gotham City.
Barris put together some of the most famous movie and television cars in history, including “Herbie”, the anthropomorphic star of the eponymous movies of the 1960s, 1970s, and every decade since. The car had a personality, could drive itself, and the movies showed its adventures with that classic Disney touch. The beloved VW bug was based on a L87 Pearl White 1963 Model 117 Volkswagen Type 1 Deluxe Sunroof model. It was distinguished by its unique red, white and blue racing stripes that ran from the front to back bumper, a racing-style number “53” on the front luggage compartment lid, doors, and engine lid, and a yellow-on-black ’63 California license plate with the lettering “OFP 857”.
Despite the fact that the car first debuted on film in 1969, it is still very popular today. Earlier this year, an original sold for $126,500 at auction. There are also countless replicas and tributes that roll out of garages each spring.
Barris’ work will be missed, but his spirit lives on in the love that is displayed for this classic and his many other movie cars. He was not only responsible for Herbie, he inspired a passion for many classic Volkswagens that continues to this day.
