Jim Seaton 1955 Chevy Barris Kustom historic custom low miles

Chevrolet Kustom 1955 Description

The Best of Barris

1955 Chevrolet Barris Custom James Seaton

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1955 Chevrolet Barris Custom James Seaton

Very seldom does a historic and legendary car that is fully documented throughout history become available. Add to this the rare combination of the car being fabricated and also photographed by one of the biggest legendary names in American automotive history…yes the car that you see in this eBay auction meets those requirements in spades. The car of course is the 1955 Chevrolet, owned by James Seaton and customized by George Barris circa 1958. This car is fully documented starting with pictures of it in front of Barris Kustom shop after it was customized in 1958. Furthermore, this car has been documented throughout its life in magazines, publications, books and by George Barris himself from the day it was produced until 2017 where it has remained in one of the most famous automobile collections. THIS CAR IS THE REAL DEAL!

Before we go on to give you the specifications, we would like to avail you the opportunity of seeing again the picture of this car in front of Barris Kustom shop in 1958, various articles and photographs of the car including a visit circa 2006 by George Barris to see his “favorite semi Kustom” car in its current collection.BE SURE TO VIEW THE TWO VIDEOS ABOVE!

As you can see from the photograph when George Barris visited he took out his marketing pen and wrote right across the center console:

The Seaton-Chevy

My favorite Semi

KUSTOM

George Barris

George was saying a lot considering the amount of Kustom cars created in his lifetime. At that time (2006) George was photographed with the car showing off various features of the car and how they were executed at his shop in 1958 as per an Old Cars Weekly article.

Excerpt from the book, Barris Kustoms of the 1950s by George Barris.George Barris said:

Jim Seaton from Santa Maria, California, had us re-work his 1955 Chevrolet. The body featured dual headlights, side pipes, and shaved factory trim. We made the trim from double-molded Dodge side trims, with gold Mylar inserts, and added the custom grille out of mesh and bullets. The taillights were hand-formed plastic with rear wheel opening framed in tubing to conform with side trim. We used Kolor Krome trim on the hubcaps, and we painted it in White Pearl with red scallops. (See photo from Barris Photo Collection)

Excerpt from “Barris Built Beauty”, Classic & Custom, April 1982 by Rich Blochi

• Originally built by the Barris Brothers in 1957-1958
• The most radical feature of this car is the dual Lucas lamps.
• The grille cavity was filled with steel mesh and covered with chrome bullets.
• Floor Shift
• The hood was shaved as was the trunk and door handles.
• The doors operate with solenoids.
• The headlight side sculpture line was recreated at the rear wheel well which was enlarged and radiused.
• The taillights are tunneled stock items with three red and two frosted white plastic tiers added.
• The side trim was pieced together using four ’55 Dodge side spears with gold Mylar separating them.
• The paint is the original White Pearl with burgundy scallops, except for the hood and top.
• The interior received the most radical changes with bucket seats front and rear, custom console housing a TV, bar and telephone.
• The dash was completely reworked with Stewart-Warner gauges set in a beautiful aluminum panel.
• The Four Bucket Seats, dash and headliner are stitched in matching white pleats.
• Dual dummy spots and lakes pipes round out the add-on features.
• The suspension was lowered 3 inches all around by cutting coils up front and de-arching the springs in the rear.
• Chrome reversed wheels are capped with ’58 Chevy standard hubcaps with bullets added to the centers. Wide white walls were the order of the day.
• Floor Shift
• Dash Board trim aluminum with Stewart-Warner gauges.
• This article also mentions that at the time the article was written the custom remains the same as when it was built 24 years previously.

Having won 11 major car show awards when first shown, it still garners trophies today!

The 1955 Chevy Barris “Jim Seaton car” is one of the most important and documented custom cars done by the most famous car customizer of the 1950s – 1980s. While this car could easily be driven to a Saturday night custom car show or driven on long tours it is a car that commands the respect of having a position in one of the finest car collections or museums either in the United States or overseas. We know that many serious collectors in the United States as well as those in Sweden and other countries that love American custom cars would give their eye teeth to have such a celebrated and fantastic looking custom in their collection. The car itself is in fantastic condition both cosmetically in terms of the paint and finish and mechanically. The engine compartment that is highly chromed out and detailed with George Barris’ various products that he was manufacturing in the 1950s. The engine compartment is believed to be entirely original along with the interior which is also believed to be original. We encourage those interested to review the current pictures, the various articles that have been written about this car so that you can be fully informed. This is a rare opportunity to own one of the most iconic pieces of Kustomizing history and George Barris history that exists today in almost its entire original form and has currently been in the same famous collection for well over a decade.

In reference to email inquiries we are happy to have all those that would like to comment or compliment this particular car feel free to email. We however, understand that if somebody is truly interested in spending serious money for a car of this quality and legacy that they will want to talk to somebody that can answer their questions in real time. We are therefore recommending that all serious parties contact us at 847-668-2004 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. CST.

It will be a long, long wait before you see another historical and fantastic show stopper such as this car.

If you are a serious buyer give us a call to discuss your offer. 847-668-2004 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. CST

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VEHICLE IS OFFERED FOR SALE BY APRIVATE SELLER

All information and photos have been provided by the private seller of this vehicle.

PAYMENT

Seller requires winning bidder to contact 847-668-2004 within 24 hours of auction end to acknowledge purchase and make arrangements for pickup or shipping.

A 10% non-refundable deposit is required within 24-hours of close of auction.

Full payment is required within five business days of end of auction.

SHIPPING

Transportation costs are the responsibility of the winning bidder.

We are happy to contact an insured, enclosed carrier to provide a shipping quote but ultimately the shipping is the buyer’s choice and responsibility.

If you provide your zip code we can calculate mileage for you.

Vehicle must me picked up within 14 days of payment, unless other arrangements have been made.

TERMS OF SALE

Please ask all questions prior to bidding.

If you are not located in the USA contact us before bidding.

If you have less then 20 feed back contact us before bidding.

If you have negative feedback contact us before bidding.

If you have more then one retracted bid in the past six months contact us before bidder.

Please base your bid on the pictures and description provided by the private seller.

All vehicles are sold “as is” and as shown on Ebay with no warranties expressed or implied by selle.

DO NOT CONSIDER A WINNING BID AS A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO BUY THE VEHICLE.

CONTACT US at 847-668-2004

Call us anytime from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. CST