Barris Kustom Industries

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Cadien Clark

Joined 10 years ago

The auto legend behind mega-cult classics like the Batmobile, KITT from "Knightrider" and countless other iconic cars still holds court at his NoHo shop when he's not touring the country or designing. Creative genius George Barris, aka, The "King of Kustomization," has been pimping rides since back in the late '30s, and his handiwork is arguably the most celebrated in the business. From silver and small screen legendary vehicles, like the Munster Koach, the Beverly Hillbillies' family car, the General Lee ("Dukes of Hazzard") and even Bunnymobiles for "The Girls Next Door," to his tremendously prolific work designing personal cars for celebrities, Barris is the unequivocal king. Elvis, James Dean, Frank Sinatra, John Lennon and Bo Derek are just a sampling of the names in this man's dossier. Many of his cars are on display inside his late friend Robert Petersen's famous Los Angeles museum and in other museums across the country and world. Barris, who has always spelled custom with a "k," is credited with helping create Hot Wheels and matchbox cars, bikes like the '60's Iverson model, and guitars, like the one owned by ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. This ageless phenom still travels all over the country for auto shows when he's not kustomizing cars in L.A.--his latest is a Toyota Prius painted gold, pearl and green.