Custom-Built Cars From the ’50s and ’60s That Were the Stars on the Road

The ’50s and ’60s had some eccentric clothing styles, but the interesting choices didn’t stop there. These fads also had an influence on cars that were built at that time. At that time, Los Angeles’s custom builders, led by George Barris, created a series of stunning custom prop vehicles that still can’t be fully explained. After all, they were wild in every way you could imagine — especially in appearance.

The Ultimate Car Among Cars

The big Block Ford Batmobile sure was a looker. Concept vehicles were big in Detroit, and in 1955, Ford Motor commissioned the making of a handful of Lincoln Futuras — which eventually landed in George Barris’ shop for a facelift.

That’s how the Batmobile came to be for the Batman series at the time. Bat wings and flame-spewing lawn sprinklers completed the look!

Bob Hope’s Golf Cart

Barris was commissioned to create several custom golf carts for celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Elton John, and Dean Martin. The first of the series was for Bob Hope.

He wanted something unusual, and Barris created a car that resembled him in many ways, adding a Chrysler grille for the finishing touch.

Bonnie and Clyde’s 1934 Fordor

Among the prop rods that Barris supplied for various films and celebrities was the very car used in Bonnie and Clyde.

The car is currently on display at the Primm Valley Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada — which is 35 miles south of Las Vegas.

High-Rise Rat Bunk Bed Car

Bedroom on Wheels was used to describe the 1950s Buicks, and in the ’60s, Barris completed the entire look that Reisner had begun.

He created the high-rise rat bunk bed car, trimmed with the same fabric that covered the beds. And as is in his style, the vehicle belched a typical Barris exhaust.