George Barris Custom Corvette
Called the "Barrister," this George Barris creation takes the third generation C3 Corvette and drapes it in a two-tone, chrome-clad drop-top body. Details of this extensive custom build go all the way inside, too!
Barris' Touch Is Instantly Recognizable
If your resume includes designing the Batmobile, the Munster Koach, and KITT, then you're George Barris. And you're also the designer of this car, called the Barrister. Described by Mecum Auctions as a "neo-classic," this C3 takes the provenance of older roadsters and drapes it on a set of 1969 Corvette bones.
Photo courtesy of Mecum
All New Lines, Everywhere
Barris is known for leaving nothing alone, and the Barrister proves that. From the nose to the tail, there's not a single original panel left. Barris would end up making 7 of the Barrister Corvettes in total, with this one belonging to close friend Frank Monteleone.
Photo courtesy of Mecum
That Hood Though...
Grafting a luxury car grille onto the Corvette - and making it look good - isn't exactly an easy task. Given the Corvette's nose is a pointy example of beautiful functionality, Barris had to get creative. We don't have a measuring tape on hand, but it does appear the hood is elongated to make way for all the chrome, and the hood now envelopes the dual-panel windscreen.
Photo courtesy of Mecum
A Color Combo We've Seen Before
If this side profile reminds you of the XP-755 Mako Shark, then you have a solid memory of Corvette Concepts. Side pipes and unique two-tone paint match the Barrister to that concept car, although their end goal would be completely different. One would be used for speed, and the other would be used for visibility.
Photo courtesy of Mecum
Riding In Style
You do eventually have to look inside a convertible show car, so Barris went all out for the interior. White leather seating surfaces match the door cards, and wood paneling is now placed throughout. Blue is carried into the interior in the form of the dash cover, and accented by blue piping on the seats.
Photo courtesy of Mecum
Creativity Makes Convertible Top Work
When the car was designed with a dual-pane windscreen, the convertible top itself had to match the V-angle at the front. But this meant it needed extra room when stored. Barris had to make the entire rear of the car an opening clamshell to stow the roof away. It just shows that he'd go through all of the motions necessary to see a dream come to fruition. It would have been easy enough to just leave it alone.
Photo courtesy of Mecum
Not So Many Changes Here
Barris was an excellent craftsman, but he wasn't an engineer. So when it comes to power, this Barrister uses the Corvette 350 cubic inch V8. And it uses an automatic transmission, too. A drag racer or road course burner was never the idea behind this car though. So the standard engine provided more than enough grunt.
Photo courtesy of Mecum
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