George Barris, a renowned figure in the world of customized vehicles, was born in Chicago during the mid-1920s. Following the untimely passing of his parents, George, along with his older brother Sam, relocated to Roseville, California, where they lived with relatives in 1928.
George's fascination with building scale model aircraft led him to explore the world of model cars, a passion that would ultimately shape his future endeavors. As the brothers entered their teenage years, their interest in cars intensified, and they discovered the art of body work while hanging out at local body shops after school.
The movie industry took notice of Barris's kustom creations on the streets and at races, and soon, George was approached by studios to create cars for their films. One of his earliest projects was the 1958 film "High School Confidential!", which marked the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership between Barris and the Hollywood studios.
The success of this initial venture motivated George to establish himself in Hollywood, where he would go on to customize the personal vehicles of the stars. This association would prove to be a long and fascinating one, spanning over four decades.
As the 1960s dawned, George shifted his focus and acquired a new shop in Toluca Lake, California, where he designed and built award-winning cars. During this period, he also became a father to daughter Joji and son Brett. Today, George continues to work out of his Toluca Lake shop, a testament to his enduring passion for customized vehicles and his remarkable career in the world of kustom culture.
