2007 Barris Exhibit NHRA

2007 BARRIS EXHIBIT

In the summer of 2007 the NHRA Wally Parks Museum in Pomona organized an exhibition about the history of the Barris Kustom Chop titled; A Salute to George Barris, The King of the Kustomizers

 
When I was working on an magazine article I needed some info that good friend Rob Radcliffe emailed me about shortly after he had visited the NHRA Barris Kustom Shop exhibit in 2007. And while looking for the info I browsed thru the many photos Rob took at the museum. Back when the exhibit was planned, I was kept in the loop by exhibit organizer Greg Sharp and by Barry Mazza who loaned his Barris Kustom 1955 Chevy “the Aztec” to the museum for the duration of the exhibit. It was the first time the Aztec would be traveling to California since it had left there many, many years ago. I was asked to supplied a few of my colorized photos to be part of the display, which made me very proud. And when Rob Radcliffe mentioned he would be visiting the exhibit I asked him to take as many photos as he could…. which he did.

I always thought this exhibit was something really great to do, showing a lot of material from the Barris Kustom Shop including photos, tools and accessories, of which some had never been shown before. Alongside the exhibit of material several Barris Kustoms created cars would be on display in the museum. For this article we will concentrate on the show cases of the exhibit and will get back to the cars in an second article. Lets take a look at some of the photos Rob took.
 
The Barris exhibit was in one of the rooms at the Wally Parks Museum. This photo shows the entrance to the room. What better way to welcome you into a Barris Exhibit than with Sam Barris and the Hirohata Mercury.
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For the exhibit they recreated the old Atlantic Blvd Von Dutch painted Barris Kustom Shop sign and wall. 
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The later version of the shop entrance sign were also recreated for the exhibit and displayed in one of the show cases.
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The main display showed a nice timeline from the early times on the left to the 1960’s on the right.
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A nice selection of 1940’s and early 1950’s photos.
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Later on in the 1950’s towards the mid 1950’s and up.
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And the last of this display case showing the customs created towards the 1960’s.
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George Barris receiving a trophy at the 1950 Oakland Roadster Show. (George can be seen on the far left on the photo kneeling down.
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George Barris proudly showing the awards the Jesse Lopez 1941 For won at the 1950 Oakland Roadster show.
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The Lynwood years display case showed some nice early business cards.
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Some later business cards, and on the bottom an window sticker an a early Compton Ave business card showing George his person 1941 Buick.
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An later version of the Kustoms of Los Angeles plaque.
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Some old tools, an other material, like this old paint can were found in the attic at the old Atlantic Blvd shop and displayed along with photo’s, old magazines etc.
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George Barris and the Barris shop have played a very big roll in the magazine publications of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Here is a sample of a few of the magazines with Barris material on the covers.
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Hot rods created at the Barris Kustom Shop.
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The Barris Kustom Shop was an huge motivator for the use of Appleton Spotlights. 
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The famous Barris Kustoms shop price-list could of course needed to be included.
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Brad Masterson loaned some of the old tools from his personal collection. Brad saved these tools which were found in the attic of the old Barris shop.
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A few samples of some of the great photos that were on display in large format on the museum walls. 
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Barris Kustom Accessory products from the 1960’s.
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A promotional photo of the Barris Kustom wax and cleaner products that were sold in the late 1950’s and 1960’s.
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When Rob Radcliffe visited the show, George Barris was also there, so Rob asked George to sign two of the special cards the museum had printed for the exhibit. He later send one of them to me… thanks Rob.
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( this article is sponsored by )

Contact Rob Radcliffe at King Kustoms for more info on these T-Shirts Email Rob
 
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