100 Year Celebration of George Barris Highlights 2025 Grand National Roadster Show
Photos and story by John McCartney
George Barris, the legendary custom car builder, would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2025, making it the perfect occasion for a grand tribute. This celebration was aptly held during the 75th edition of the Grand National Roadster Show at the Fairplex in Pomona, California.
George Barris, King of the Kustomizers, at the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
The event featured an unprecedented collection of Barris's custom vehicles, showcasing his illustrious career. Car enthusiasts from across the nation gathered their prized possessions, each a piece of Barris's artistic legacy, to display some of the finest examples of his work. From cars featured in TV and movies to his distinctive customs and roadsters, the show was a testament to Barris's influence in the automotive world.
Numerous vehicles that had previously won the prestigious America's Most Beautiful Roadster award were present, allowing fans to admire Barris's championship builds. The Barris family enriched the experience by sharing historical photos of George and his creations.
A highlight was the rare public display of the original "Dragula" from the "Munsters" TV series, courtesy of current owner John Sbrigato of TV Show Cars. It was showcased alongside the "Munster Koach" with Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster, in attendance to share stories with fans over the weekend.
Galpin Speed Shop contributed significantly with a display of cars including the Munsters Koach, Sanford and Sons Wrecker, Elvira's Ford T-Bird, and the Fireball 500 from the movies. The Golden Sahara II, known for its innovative features like light-up tires and a unique interior, was another crowd-puller.
The celebration kicked off with a reception on Thursday night where Barris's children, Joji and Brett, honored the car owners with special plaques. The event drew a who's who of the car culture, including artists and builders like Robert Williams, Rich Guasco, and TV personality Barry Weiss from "Storage Wars."
Eric Geisert oversaw the layout of the Barris display in Building Nine, which was packed with fans and featured award-winning builds from various eras. On Friday, members of the automotive Hall of Fame met fans and signed autographs, making it a unique gathering of legends.
Throughout the three-day event, the Fairplex was filled with over two thousand cars, celebrating both 100 years of George Barris and 75 years of the Grand National Roadster Show, creating a memorable milestone that won't soon be repeated.
Instagram: @grandnationalroadstershow
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