L-C005
LS/D-C005

"1961 Rod & Custom Motorama"
By Larry Grossman - RetroVisions

The Pan Pacific Auditorium, built in Los Angeles in 1935, was the site of many early Custom Car, and Hot Rod shows. In this scene in front of the building's glorious Streamlined Moderne facade, we see several of George Barris' most famous cars. These include (from left to right): the "Hirohata Merc", the "Ala Kart" (with Barris at the wheel), the "Golden Sahara", and the "Emporer". Also depicted (in the bubbles upper left) are Barris' "XPAK" air car, Bill Cushinberry's "El Matador", and Ed Roth's "Beatnik Bandit". Tragically, this historic building was destroyed by fire in 1989. -- L.G.