The Barris "T" Buggy
A very rare opportunity to buy a legend
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This is the Barris T Buggy
A very unique street machine designed by the legendary George Barris back in 1970
during the height of the Dune Buggy craze and at a very active point in Barris history.
As was typical of the Barris Kustoms of the day, the promotion was huge.
MPC produced a plastic model kit of the buggy that was sold in stores across the country.
I remember building this model as a kid myself!
Trading cards...the whole lot of it...
George had big plans for the T Buggy with world wide distribution and dealers across the country.
One of the best promotors of all time in the car world...he got this out where everyone could see it.
Full color ads in the magazines, such as this original from 1970
promoted the T Buggy and dealerships popped up in a few spots across
the nation...but with so many manufacturers of fiberglass Buggy bodies
the competition was fierce... and sales, especially of the C-cab model,
(which was more than double the price of the open top version) were unfortunately slow.
This past summer I was fortunate to meet one of the folks at the heartbeat of the T Buggy construction,
a man that worked in the Barris shop actually building the cars. He estimated that there were no more than
a dozen of the C-Cab bodies built at the very most from the Anaheim California based shop.
Here is the same guy in the black and white photo taken this past June.
It was fantastic meeting him and getting the real scoop on production of the car!
After doing some very extensive research trying to find existing T-Buggy C-Cabs
I believe that this is one of only 4 or 5 total that are out there today, and this is the ONLY
ONE done accurately to match the original model kit car, and the ONLY existing one out there
that was originally painted in yellow prior to restoration. We did establish that this is NOT the exact car used for the
promotional photos and prototyping as it has VW power versus Corvair of the #1 car,
but it is certainly the real deal just the same.
When I first discovered the car, and another open top version of the Barris T Buggy back a few years ago
it caught the attention of Hot Rod Magazine who featured the find in the "Where Are They Now" section of the magazine.
They also featured images online through their website like the one above that shows the unrestored car as-found along with the model kit.
Here is the article itself. A copy will be included with the sale.
As you can see in the photos the car was yellow originally and I can confirm that it
was the orignal gel-coat, not a respray.
After a few years of parts gathering and an extensive body off restoration...the car is now complete and
ready to show and drive. It is currently titled and registered in my name (no funny business) and is street legal.
It is titled as a SPCNS (Special Construction Vehicle) with full smog exemption.
It is an absolute ball to drive...it is loud and fast and gets mega attention wherever it goes.
There are many details on the car that worth noting...
This signed dash plaque from Barris is one of the highlights.
The matching Barris Kustom keychain is another fun little detail.
Check out the faux alligator skin texture on the dash!
Horn button, headlights and grille have the Barris script.
The brass headlights with sealed beam units are fantasic.
Marker lights, as on the original, are fitted to the fender edges.
Chromed taillights are excellent.
Headlights, taillights, license plate light and brake lights are all fully functional.
Currently the horn, wipers and turn signals are non-functional, but these could be easily addressed.
The original hinges were badly pitted but with a grand stroke of luck the exact model of hinge is still in production
and was sourced. This is no cheap hardware store hinge by the way, these are commercial quality hinges designed for
use on commercial freezers...they were horribly expensive but they look and work fantastic on the car.
A Hot Rod VW engine powers the beast.. 1835cc with a two barrel carb, hot cam
and ceramic coated glass pack buggy exhaust that runs like a stripe-assed ape
and at an idle sounds like a Harley with a definite lope and rumble.
If they dont see you coming...they will hear you!
The blue California vanity plates are registered to the car
(...spells out NOVELTY...get it?)
They are a perfect match for the car and will be sold with it (if desired) and can be transferred to the new owner if in California.
The engine is very clean and all chromed out.
It fires off at the first click of the ignition every time.
12 volt electrics.
The engine is covered by a well constructed platform with a hinged top.
Stainless luggage strips across the top...everything well covered in a thin grey carpet type material.
The roof and side walls and rear doors are also trimmed in this material.
The stripes and logos are all painted on the body...not stickers!, and are very accurate to the original.
The grille shell and hood ornament and front bumper are very nice.
The chrome is original on these pieces...not redone, so they are not flawless, but still quite clean.
The fat belts across the hood are identical to the originals.
Sitting next to a "real" T...it's a bit hard to see the resemblance
but I guess it was just an inspiration thing!
The chassis of the car is very solid and clean.
No rust , all solid, new hardware for body and seat mounting.
Underside of the engine is clean, it's not a leaker.
I do have a full skid plate that fits under here to protect the engine that, if desired, can
be installed. I thought it looked a bit cleaner without it.
Chrome coil over shocks in the back, nice new short hi-torque starter.
Transmission case is painted and the ribs are polished, new axle boots, new battery mounted down here too.
New old stock 1970's Bilstien shocks were sourced and fitted up front.
Suspension is clean under here, not caked with grease or anything.
It is not "show it with mirrors under it" clean but it is still very presentable.
Original genuine Cragar S/S wheels are wrapped in very good rubber front and rear.
Wide rims in back and narrower up front...the classic "big and little" combination.
Just like a Hot Wheels car!
Interesting note...in the original photos of the car a different wheel is used, but in the model kit itself
it is Cragar wheels all the way. So I just had to go with Cragars...they fit the era of the car so well!
This large signed tin Barris Crest will accompany the car as well.
I brought the car out to a Hot Rod show in Dana Point California and won the Barris Kustom Award.
George autographed this for me when I brought the car to his shop a short time after the event.
What a fantastic guy...and what a place his shop is! WOW!
Truly one of the most amazing days I have had...the place is awesome and well worth a visit if ever in the
North Hollywood area. Bring the camera...more eye candy there than you can take in during one visit!
I have quite a bit of original memorabilia including this 1970 magazine article
These early photos were fantastic to work from when restoring the car.
Wild then in 1970...and wild today too!
The car has been shown only three times at this point.
This award was from it's second showing.
It has been photographed for a feature article in Super VW Magazine
that is due out very shortly. I will make certain the new owner gets a copy.
Check out the custom made MPC logo sticker on the windshield and of course the model kits
that have been made of it by MPC and then AMT.
The AMT model kit has been signed by George. Both of these come with the car.
I was fortunate enough to be able to bring the car home to Barris Kustom Enterprises recently to show the car
to George. He loved it, as did all the crew there and this truly was the highlight of my whole restoration of the car.
Actually getting a chance to share it with the man himself...it was awesome!
I made prints of my favorite shots to show with the car and will include a copy of each in the sale.
While at Barris I was made aware of a Certificatre of Authenticity package that they offer for genuine Barris cars.
This car does qualify for this certification and can be obtained for the new owner.
There is a cost to this, which the new owner will be responsible for if desired.
I had thought of getting it while there, but knowing that my ownership of the car would be for a limited time,
I thought this might be cooler for the new owner to have his or her name on it, rather than to have mine on it.
After the close of the auction I can discuss this with the buyer and assist in obtaining this documentation.
The genuine brass lights look great and polish up bright with a quick wipe of brasso!
The brass buckle fat belts across the hood, just like the original, were sourced
from a costume shop...they are Santa Claus costume belts!!
Empi "trigger" shifter.
The diamond pleat seats are period perfect for the car.
Front and rear seats are freshly re-done...nicely fit black carpet on the floors.
Polished aluminum coach lights on the windshield frame.
These are non functional.
Windshield and frame are brand new and were custom built for the car.
The car is very fun to play with out on the road...here is a pic of me filling up the tank.
Headroom is MASSIVE! You could wear a 3ft tall top hat and still fit inside!
That roof is just soooo tall!!
Truly like a cartoon car come to life!
Locking handles for the rear doors are new as well, but again are identical to the original style.
Front end suspension is adjustable...here it is cranked down very low for a recent show.
Hard to drive it like that though so it is now sitting a bit higher in the front.
Great fun to bring to the car shows..immediate bragging rights!
How many other cars on the lawn have a model kit of them?
They even showed the kit on Speed Channel not long ago!
While I was restoring the real deal in the garage...my son built the model kit in the house.
Pretty fun stuff!
What a wild ride!
Here is the photographer from Super VW Magazine during the photo shoot...
shooting with a wide angle lens to catch the model kit in the foreground.
Should be a fantastic spread!
In closing this is a heck of a fun machine.
Great history to it, prime "provenance", nicely restored, collectable, fun and funny too.
A very rare opportunity to buy a Barris T Buggy... a true bit of automotive history.
SOLD! Please CLICK HERE
To See All Current Listings on oldbug
For more details and information..
Call 951-767-1600
or email oldbug@earthlink.net