Lot details

Year: Circa 1975
Make: George Barris
Model: 'Sidewinder' Tricycle

George Barris was born on 20th November 1925 and embarked on a career as an American designer and builder of Hollywood Custom cars. Barris's company, Barris Kustom Industries, designed and built the Munster Koach and Drag-U-La for The Munsters and the 1966 Batmobile for the Batman TV series and film. Born in Chicago, Barris and his brother Sam moved to California to live with relatives. By the time of his high school graduation, Barris had customised and sold multiple cars. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of eighteen to build custom cars for private buyers, including the Hirohata Merc in 1951. In the 1950s, Barris's business became Barris Kustom Industries. Barris's company designed and built vehicles for multiple television series in the 1960s, he also built custom cars for celebrities and private individuals. Since his passing in 2015 when he was just 15 days short of his 90th birthday, Barris built custom cars have become even more popular.

Built by the King of Customisers this three-wheeler was effectively built around its Buick engine, which happens to be a 329 V8 unit. The engine is equipped with an Iskenderian camshaft and Jahn racing pistons. This is mated to and automatic gearbox, with drive delivered via a double chain and sprocket. The engine is mounted sideways, hence the name 'Sidewinder'. The unique 'chopper' forks were engineered and built by George Barton of Randy Enterprises, creators of special components employed in many of the custom-motorcycle world's best-known outfits. Both the magnesium rear wheels and their tyres were 'borrowed' by George Barris from a Douglas DC-6 airliner - while the front wheel is a 20-inch diameter laced-spoke motor-cycle design. For wheelie artists who like to ride the airwaves on the rear wheels only, the beefy twin Goodyear tyres and wheels are accompanied by spring tubing wheelie bars. We are led to believe that this extraordinary 'Sidewinder' motor-trike was used occasionally by the great American movie actor, racing driver and automotive enthusiast Steve McQueen, and on at least one occasion is said to have been demonstrated by him on the main straightaway at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Forming part of a private collection for the last 20 years or so, the vendor has not started or driven 'Sidewinder', it has formed part of a static display and sits on its own trailer. However, an enthusiastic mechanic could and should be able to get this extra-ordinary 'Sidewinder' motor-trike running. What more could we say to describe this quite remarkable beast. Consigned by Stewart Banks