One of the most unique custom Corvettes you’ll ever see is up for grabs this week in Chicago. Mecum Auctions is helping to liquidate the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum via their Larry’s Legacy sale.
The Klairmont Museum is a fascinating walk through automotive history, oddities, and customization. The collection was the work of Larry Klairmont and his fiancé and over the years they assembled roughly 300 fascinating cars in addition to countless pieces of automobilia.
The cars are some of the wildest customs you’ll ever see like the Golden Sahara II, the Beatnik Bubbletop, the Studebaker Ice Princess, and countless others. The excess is offset by stock classics like the 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe and a 1954 Corvette roadster. There’s even a 1998 Corvette chassis display up for grabs as well. Click here to peep the amazing docket featuring all corners of the automotive world.
The most unique Corvette offered this weekend is the 1981 Corvette Barrister built by legendary customizer George Barris on a stretched Corvette chassis. The striking gold and white custom is believed to be one of 12 built inside his Barris Kustoms shop in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Barristers were sought after by celebrities around the world. It’s been reported that Bo Derek, Sammy Davis Jr, Liberace, and others had an interest in them. Liberace’s black and gold example sold for $51,000 in 2019 and Mecum sold a blue and white Barrister at Glendale in 2022 for $137,500.
The overall look of each Barrister screams excess and elicits flashbacks to early pre-war classics. The bold exterior features exaggerated fender and hood lines, body length faux side exhaust, and a prominent, vertical gold grill. Chrome wire wheels with gold spinners are wrapped in classy white wall tires.
Inside, the Barrister’s Corvette heritage is much more evident. A wood steering wheel frames the custom speedometer and tachometer. The center stack dials have been converted to digital units and are now dressed in the late 70’s best wood trim. The seats and door panels have been wrapped in white leather with gold piping. Throughout the entire car, you can clearly see George Barris’ touch here.
Under the hood you’ll find a dressed-up Chevy 350 wearing a chrome air cleaner lid and valve covers. The auction listing that the car has been mechanically refreshed and has received a body-on restoration.
Every Barrister Corvette is a bold take on the 3rd generation of America’s Sports Car. We know its looks aren’t for everyone, but if you want a unique Corvette that your neighbor certainly doesn’t have, grab a bidder’s pass and head for Mecum’s Larry’s Legacy auction later this week in Chicago.
The Larry’s Legacy sale takes this week September 19th – 21st at the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum found at 3117 N Knox Avenue. Sales begin at 10am both Saturday and Sunday with previews held on the days leading up to the event. For more information head over to Mecum’s website.
How much do you think this bold Corvette custom will sell for?
Source:
Mecum Auctions
Related:
Custom Barrister Corvette Set to Cross the Block at Mecum Glendale
Corvettes for Sale: George Barris Built this Custom 1975 Corvette for John Belushi
Farrah Fawcett’s Foxy Vette to be Offered at Barrett-Jackson
Subscribe Now:
5000 dollars
🤮🤮🤮
What an ugly terrible waste of what was originally a nice looking 81 Corvette!
Last of the Super Fly cars
Comments are closed.