1963 Custom Corvette Built by George Barris to be Shown at Carlisle

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1963 Custom Corvette Built by George Barris to be Shown at Carlisle

Each August Corvettes at Carlisle features some of the best Corvettes in the country. Thousands of patrons flock to eastern Pennsylvania to overdose on all things Corvette. One of the main attractions this year will be a rarely seen 1963 Corvette coupe which was modified by custom car guru, George Barris just after it was delivered new.

George Barris is widely considered to be the king of custom cars. His notable creations include the original Batmobile (which recently sold for $4.2 million), the Munsters’ Koach, and Black Beauty from the original Green Hornet series among numerous other famous customs.

This C2 which would become known as “Asteroid” was special ordered by a speedboat racer named Bob Nordskog. Delivered initially as a paint delete car, it was sent straight to George Barris’ Barris Kustoms in California. There the brand new Sting Ray underwent a nose job which added an extended proboscis incorporating headlights tucked behind the front grille. Custom chrome headers leave the body prominently aft of the front wheels and flow rearward. The famous split window was removed and the rear tail panel was filled. The rear wheel well were enlarged so as to incorporate some fat wheels and tires.

The exterior wore a dazzling metallic copper finish and inspired the Asteriod name. The interior was swathed pearl white Naughahyde with copper accents throughout to compliment the exterior paint.

Motivation came via 352 cubic inch V8 sporting 13:1 compression which breathed through six chrome Stromburg 97 carburetors. Miles of matching gold and chrome filled the engine compartment.

“The Asteroid was built by a true automotive icon and legend in George Barris.” noted Corvettes at Carlisle event manager Lance Miller. “He made up some of the most creative automotive masterpieces in history and, fortunately for us, he restyled an amazingly vibrant and quite wild ’63 Corvette for Bob Nordskog.” Miller continued that “this Corvette is being carefully restored back to its original state as the Asteroid once was in ’63 and we’re excited to unveil it for the first time since the mid-’60s for our Corvettes at Carlisle attendees. This will be one custom Corvette that you won’t want to miss, as a matter of fact you WON’T be able to miss it – be sure to come see what I’m talking about!”

1963 Custom Corvette Built by George Barris to be Shown at Carlisle 1963 Custom Corvette Built by George Barris to be Shown at Carlisle 1963 Custom Corvette Built by George Barris to be Shown at Carlisle
1963 Custom Corvette Built by George Barris to be Shown at Carlisle 1963 Custom Corvette Built by George Barris to be Shown at Carlisle 1963 Custom Corvette Built by George Barris to be Shown at Carlisle

It went on to be featured in numerous publications and traveled the car show circuit in addition to travelling down various drag strips. Asteroid will be on display at Corvettes at Carlisle August 23-25, 2013 at the Carlisle Fairgrounds and we’ll be there to check it out firsthand.


Source:
Corvettes at Carlisle

Related:
[PICS] Corvettes at Carlisle 2012
Corvettes on Craiglist: 1969 Finovette by George Barris
SEMA 2011: The George Barris Bat Ray Corvette
Corvettes on eBay: Farrah Fawcett’s Foxy 1970 Corvette

 



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