A real-deal George Barris “Kustom” Corvette show car could be yours, offered for $86,998 by Volo Auto Museum just outside of Chicago.
The car, which was originally commissioned by Lee Sims of Accessories International to promote the company, started life as a new 1958 Corvette but then underwent massive changes on the way to completion by Barris in 1959.
The front end nose shows significant influence from Bill Mitchell’s XP700 show car, but Barris added his own trademark touches like a hood scoop, tail fins, molded-in Buick taillights, and a modified factory hardtop with two fake vents and two creases running the length of the roof. He removed the factory twin chrome strips, the Corvette emblem, and the moldings around the coves.
The car is said to have been restored about 25 years ago, prompting Barris to say, “Whoever restored the car looks like he did a nice job.”
While the paint now has “a few blemishes,” Volo says it still presents like a show car with “great” body fit and modifications that have held up “with no issues.” The wheels are vintage AAE (Anson Auto Eng) mags with spinners inside polyester whitewalls, and the white convertible soft top is said to remain “in very good shape, no tears.”
Likewise, the interior still looks “great,” with only minor mods like a walnut steering wheel, Hurst shifter, and a stereo placed in the factory hole. The seats, door panels, dash pad, and carpet are said to be in “excellent” shape.
Mechanically, the car’s original 283 has been replaced with a 1964 Corvette 327/340 hp dressed up with finned aluminum valve covers, and the rear end was upgraded to a 12 bolt.
The car lived up to its original goal of garnering attention for the first owner, winning at the Los Angeles Arena show in the early ’60s and was popular on the show circuit and in magazines. After the ‘90s restoration, the car was again popular on the show circuit.
Update
This car is no longer available for sale.
Source:
Motorius.com
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I wish he would have used a 59 or 60. I had a 58 and they were unique and only had the fake louvers and chrome strips that year.
I always liked Barris’ work but this one to me is ” Butt Ugly”
I’d pay $86,998…………………..if it was all stock. Kinda like my L78 Nova that I bought new for $3000. It would be worth around $50K now……………….If I hadn’t “worked” on it over the years; might be worth 1/10 that now.
Looks like an amphibious vehicle LOL
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