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The Big Book Of Barris, George Barris and David Fetherston,
MBI Publishing 2002, 156 pages Hard Cover
Remember George Barris? Responsible for many of the movie world's custom vehicles as well as those seen daily on television - the Batmobile, the Beverly Hillbillies truck (that's the one, Granny sat on top in her rocking chair), the Munster Coach and Drag-u-la, George has been at the centre of American custom cars since the 1940s and 50s.
This book is a visual documentary of American automotive styling and customising, as well as a visual documentary of the work of George Barris. He is also a noted photographer and has followed custom car styling around America evidenced through the photographs presented here.
So what makes this book more interesting than the rest of the pile? I believe what we are talking about here is our love affair with the automobile. The American version of that notion is, as author David Fetherston explains, "...the search for the American dream."
Many people select the car they are going to buy having been impressed or affected by the design of those vehicles. Design of course, involves many things. Functionality is important to us but if you are into interesting cars you are more likely to care less about functionality if the car you are going to buy says something about your personality and interests.
Colour and colour schemes are important to us for many reasons too, is red sexy? I s blue cool? What is your absolute favourite colour ...pink perhaps? What about some decoration, a few stripes and flames?
What about the extras and add-ons - every year of customising brings forth a new rash of interesting ideas to push the limits of design and attract a rash of new customers with a craving for the unique. The Barris philosophy is born of design, he says, "We learned quickly about proportion. We found the only way to build was with a well thought out master plan. Each light, bulge and bumper had to function on the car in a way that accented the theme of our master plan."
The Barris beginnings were typical of many people in general automotive work and racing in the 40s and 50s, they were basic and self-taught, or taught by anyone who would help. It is the rare ability to bring it all together well that sets George apart.
While some vehicles end up a mere caricature of their former selves after a Barris custom job - the "Barris Touch", they are no less interesting and far more intriguing for having gone through the transformation. Fetherston's text and extensive captioning from George Baris provide exceptional insights into the man and his photographs, an example:
"...here I am rolling the rocker on this 1942 Ford after we had sawn off the roof with a hacksaw. We had little in the way of tools, but we did it all!"
He at least certainly did, along with such notables as Ed Roth, George Barris holds the front running in customising history in the US, the photos alone are worth the admission price.
Dan Burke, DRAGSTER Australia Magazine
Rating:  [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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