George Barris, the car custom designer and builder and who lent his fame and name to one of Culver City’s most popular annual events had an earlier connection to the “Heart of Screenland” than many may not be aware of.
“George used to race down Sepulveda Boulevard with a lot of other racers back in the 1930s and ‘40s. We had a very deep car culture here in Culver City,” said Councilman Jeffery Cooper, who was instrumental in bringing the “George Barris Culver City Car Show” to the city 12 years ago.
Barris passed away two weeks before his 90th birthday on Nov. 5. Cooper, who became a friend of Barris’ over the years, said a funeral will be held Saturday, Nov. 28. The location has not been announced.
Cooper met the “King of Kustomizers” though former Culver City businessman Glenn Laiken, who previously owned the Washington Boulevard men’s clothing store Alandales’s. “George had some customized shirts in Glenn’s store, and I met him through my connection with Glenn,” recalled Cooper, who was the head of the local service organization Exchange Club at the time. The club produces the car event and donates its proceeds to local community organizations and charities.
This year’s show, which took place on May 9, featured over 400 classic cars from around the state, many of them designed by Barris.
Given Barris’ history of racing in Culver City, Cooper said it wasn’t hard to convince him to bring the car show to Culver City. “George was a tireless promoter who was always very welcoming to people who came to the show. He really helped make it not just an event for just car-centric people,” the councilman said. “It began to attract all kinds of people who wanted to come downtown and have a good time. Prior to the car show, there was never a large scale event on the street that attracted a lot of people.
“His contributions to Culver City and helping the Exchange Club raise money through their biggest fundraiser of the year are incalculable.”