By Brian Lohnes

BangShift.com

Some truly whacked stuff has left the doors of Barris Kustoms in recent years. There was that Prius for starters, but this 2010 Camaro “Spirit” beats them all by a country mile. A “kustom” that was constructed by swapping the grill for some chain parts store chrome and hideous paint, this is a sad addition to the Barris Kustoms legacy. And he plans to sell multiple copies through the Chevy dealer network!

It’s time for George to put the tools and ideas down and step away from the car. This is true even if the only tool he is holding is the screwdriver used to install the awful grille in the “Spirit.” When we read the breathless release that describes this car as “one of the hottest and long-awaited ‘kustom’ Chevrolets in history,” we were moved to laughter. Check out BANGShift to learn more.

By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

Earlier this week we stopped by Walden Speed Shop to observe what makes these world-class metalcrafters tick. Greeting us at the entrance were a beautiful ’27 T-Bucket with a Buick Nailhead 425 and a partially built ’36 Ford smuggling an L92 crate motor between its bulging fenders. A gorgeous collection of vintage gas station signs hung like tapestries of automotive art signaled good things in store. Continue reading and view more photos on MotorMavens!

By Ron Honig

WaytooFurious

I have always tried not to be too judgmental when it comes to other people’s cars. I realize that one man’s dream car can be another man’s nightmare. Unfortunately there are times when I have to be honest, which brings me to the Vox. Built as a promotional car for Vox guitars, it was designed by George Barris. I know it was the 60s but this car just goes into my to freaking weird file, I can’t stand it. So what do you think, is this piece of history worth the $175,000 being asked on eBay?

By Rich Truesdell

Automotive Traveler

Art Center is well known for the transportation designers it has graduated over the years but also for the transportation design show it hosts. With a theme of “By Air, Land & Sea” we were treated to a great cross section of interesting and though-provoking vehicles.

After taking a year’s hiatus, the campus of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena again hosted a small but eclectic transportation show, the 2009 Art Center Car Classic. More than simply a car show, this year’s event showcased some unusual vehicles including amphibious cars, cars powered by aircraft engines, and cutting-edge flying devices. The unique and intimate setting in the hills overlooking Pasadena might be small, but the organizers made every square inch count, presenting a broad spectrum of vehicles that combined state-of-the-art engineering, breathtaking design, as well as providing a bench marks from the past that might show future designers ways to design small city cars.

The Art Center Car Classic is more than a car show as this year, as in years past, noted speakers were part of the program. Burt Rutan–best known for the design of the record-breaking Voyager, which was the first plane to fly around the world without stopping or refueling, and the sub-orbital space plane SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded spacecraft to enter the realm of space twice within a two week period–was the featured speaker. And local car guy extraordinaire and former “Tonight” show host Jay Leno made an appearance in his turbine-powered Eco Jet concept done in conjunction with General Motors. Read More at Automotive Traveler.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

These George Barris creations can be yours for a mere $400,000. Full story at Jalopnik