At his memorial service, George Barris’s casket was festooned with large black fins, a paean to his most famous creation, the Batmobile. It also would have made sense if the hearse that hauled Barris to his final resting spot would have been painted pearl white
These days hot rodding and motorsports are known for their specialization. A modern street rod shop features a chassis guy, an engine guy, a metal guy, a paint guy, wiring guy, even a designer. A contemporary race team slices up responsibilities even finer – engine,
Since the Legends column began alternating between famous hot rodders and famous hot rods, we have showcased the ZZ Top Eliminator Coupe and Norm Grabowski’s “Kookie” T, both lifted to prominence by the mainstream media. Thus, they were feted not only by car guys but
She's a drag racing pioneer, a winner, a champion, and her name is Shirley. Shirley Muldowney, right? No, try again. Shirley, ah…ah…ah… Geez, I don't know? Shirley who? Don't feel bad if the name Shirley Shahan doesn't leap to mind, for Shahan's gender-bending quarter-mile heroics came
It makes sense that one of hot rodding’s most wacky, larger-than-life personalities would concoct one of hot rodding’s most iconic, larger-than-life cars. That’s right, we’re talking about Norm Grabowski’s ground-breaking, silver-screen-friendly roadster, the Kookie T. From the parking lot of Bob’s Big Boy to the boulevard
After World War II, hot rods and customs developed on parallel yet different tracks. Innovators like George Barris and Gene Winfield massaged metal in unique and shapely ways, creating stunning pieces of rolling art. At the same time, racers like Ed Iskenderian and Alex Xydias
There are plenty of famous hot rods – the Niekamp roadster, the Pierson coupe, the Buttera tall T. We could go on and on. But few hot rods have reached across the pages of automotive buff books into the imagination of the general public. One
Laying in a hospital bed, recovering from illness or injury, affords the mind a certain freedom to free-associate, to review life’s choices, map a new path forward. There is perhaps no greater example of this than the late Bill Simpson, the man who made safety
As curious as the world of beauty pageants can seem these days, many famous celebrities began their careers as Miss Whatevers. Journalist Diane Sawyer was America’s Junior Miss in 1963. Michelle Pfeiffer earned the 1978 Miss Orange Country title. Oprah Winfrey was crowned Miss Black
Some guys can build an engine. Others can fab up a chassis. Tuning is a skill in which others excel. And who doesn’t think he can drive? Finding someone who can do it all and do it with panache and performance, well, that as rare
