New Custom Automotive TV Show On Speed

George Barris, the “King Of Kustomizers”, who has designed so many concept cars and customized since the 60’s so many vehicles for films, television, advertising and many celebrities, and whose work has inspired so many toy models, posters, images, etc will be featured in a new weekly 1 hour TV show on Speed called Car Warriors, to premiere February. 23 at 9 p.m. EST.

The plot:  8-person teams will have a 72-hour time frame to prepare a custom project on a very wide style of vehicles. It will be about talent, creativity, but also physical stamina (probably no sleep possible) Joining George Barris to criticize, judge, award the teams, Jimmy Shine of world famous So-Cal Speed Shop, Martin from Galpin Auto Sports and from the TV series Pimp My Ride. An opportunity for me to tell you to visit, like I did recently, George Barris Shop while in Los Angeles. It’s an amazing place full of famous vehicles like the Batman, the Batgirl, and many weird creations that you have seen on screen so many times Call first. George Barris address is: 0811 Riverside Drive, North Hollywood, California. (pictures copyright Cyril Huze)

19 Responses to “New Custom Automotive TV Show On Speed”


  1. 1 CHOPMONSTER66 Jan 6th, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    Gorge is the greatest , have seen his work may times , his cool stuff is what sent me on my road to painting and building hot rods and hot rod motor cycles . thanks for the heads up on the show Cyril . Great blog , love it . first thing i read every morning..

  2. 2 Woody Jan 6th, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    Sweet! Barris rules! (don’t tell anyone, but back in the 60’s at age 12, I got to take a ride in the Bat Boat. shhhh)

  3. 3 Bigalyts@aol.com Jan 6th, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    George Barris is “THE KING of CUSTOM” This guy has given every Boy who ever built a Model in the 60’s and 70’s something to dream about! The Dream was Owning a Customized Anything. George Barris is the Reason there is a definition under the word “CUSTOM” in Webster’s Dictionary. This is the Guy who Arlen Ness, played with his Putz over the very first time. He dreamed to have an imagination and be able to develop it on Wheels. This is the Dood, the Man he is a CNC Machine with Legs!! Cyrill where is the Interview???

  4. 4 Fluke Jan 6th, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    For no other reason than the Hirohata Merc, Barris is the king of custom in my eyes.

    I just want to ask him where Lilttle Bastard, or what wasn’t recycled, really is. I just don’t believe the official story.

  5. 5 Brenda Fox Jan 6th, 2011 at 9:30 pm

    Just got back from Uncle Georges shop – and he’s real excited to be part of the show.

    Fluke – I talk to George all the time – what’s your question on Little Bastard? It in the shop now.

    Cyril – such a nice pic in the shop :
    I do think the Muster Coach with my HOT blonde hairball model would be a “blog magnet” 😮

  6. 6 Wiz Jan 7th, 2011 at 4:12 am

    George Barris had such an impact on sooo many of us impressional youth. His influence on customizing anything is alive in my heart still! Can’t do anything stock! I can’t even get a cheezeburger without customizing it, “Mayo both sides of the bun, no onions, extra ketchup ‘an Thousand Island dressing!” Thanks George! I built many of your models ‘an I loved it! Of course that was back when they still had the good ‘ol toxic groovy glue! You twisted my ideas of what COOL is all about! God Love Ya!!! Wiz

  7. 7 2Low Jan 7th, 2011 at 4:20 am

    Cyril is everywhere. Lucky that you know George Barris or that he knows you.

  8. 8 Harry Jan 7th, 2011 at 4:24 am

    Hey, Cyril. Did George let you drive James Dean “Little Bastard”?

  9. 9 Duncan Jan 7th, 2011 at 7:30 am

    With regard to the Hirohata Merc. Yes it was indeed an iconic build but it should be remembered that George’s brother Sam was heavily involved in this build and many other early Barris kustoms before Goerge changed direction and started build cars for film and TV work.

  10. 10 JimC Jan 7th, 2011 at 7:48 am

    I think it is really cool that they are bringing guys like george back into the limelight. My hope is that it will inspire others to get involved in customizing,working on vehicles and to remember or learn part of what made this country what it is today. maybe then,we will stop giving away our manufacturing and take pride in being a “shop rat”. Good for George! Good for Speed!

  11. 11 Knucklehead Jan 7th, 2011 at 9:14 am

    I grew up reading Hotrod and Carcraft loving his work. The man is an icon.

  12. 12 Fluke Jan 7th, 2011 at 10:38 am

    @ Brenda Fox….. Lil’ Bastard in George’s shop? Or a replica?

    After George bought the wreckage I thought he sold most of it off to various racers, nearly all of whom had severe accidents or were killed while driving cars with the parts fitted, then what was left of the wreckage went on a road safety tour where it killed or maimed many more people, after that it went missing from a sealed railway car.

    Many people think George has hidden somewhere.

    Anyhow, yeah, he is on my list of the 5 people I would love to meet the most, so I am envious of you.

    The show should be good, alas I won’t get it where I live.

  13. 13 Larry R Jan 7th, 2011 at 11:01 am

    I made his model cars back in the ’60’s. This should be a great show. Looking forward to it. Thanks, Cyril.

  14. 14 Brenda Fox Jan 7th, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Fluke – You come to SoCal – I’ll take you there like I took Cyril.

    Yes – George did sell alot of cars, I’ll ask him on Little Bastard.
    You’re right about the replicas. (the original Batmobile has two replicas)

  15. 15 martin Twofeather Jan 7th, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    Good work Cyril,Brenda thanks,Martin

  16. 16 Woody Jan 8th, 2011 at 10:24 am

    FWIW I believe one of the two Batmobile replicas is in the Volo Automobile Collection in N.E. Illinois.

  17. 17 Brenda Fox Jan 10th, 2011 at 8:46 am

    FLUKE –

    George said to tell you “Yes Lil Bastard is a replica because the original one was stolen.
    Weird stuff happened with the car and then it turned up stolen and never found to this day”

    Come to SoCal – we’ll do a shop tour.

  18. 18 shadetreekyle Jan 14th, 2011 at 8:52 am

    Finally putting a cat on the tube that truly deserves it! I won’t miss a minute!

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