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I've had a lot of discussions about the "lowrider " label this bike has been given.  I think its undeniably clear that this bike is not an  offshoot (or pedal powered interpretation) of lowrider car culture. It was created as a spooky "kustom" bicycle, styled on the premise of the "Munsters" TV show and the kustom cars that appeared on it - the Munster Koach, and Dragula.  I think the Lowrider bicycle movement was looking for an origin myth that would fill a void in its history. If you read lowrider websites about the bike you are given the impression that every kid in America was aware of the bikes existence. Some even state that the bike had appeared on the show -which it did not.  A number of sources on the Internet even state "Every kid in America wanted a Sting-Ray like Eddie had on the Munsters show".  In reality the bike was virtually unknown to the broad public. Except for those who may have inadvertently seen it at the Cars of the Stars museum. Lowrider style evolved from existing custom bicycle styles that were already in place.  Lowrider bicycles merely embellished the decorative aspect, and bent the front forks to get the front end lower.  If my kustom bike from 1975 had bent forks, it would have looked exactly like the later lowriders we are so familiar with today.


For me the Barris Chain Bike is priceless. It was hand made by some of the biggest names from the golden age of California Kustomizing in the 1960's.  The bike is missing a couple of its original parts, but is still essentially intact and unaltered since its creation at the hands of George Barris, Von Dutch and Skip Barrett. I cant think of too many things from this time that have this kind of legacy.  Its not a car, but it is a vehicle. A hand built Barris,Von Dutch and Barrett collaboration.  It's a one of a kind kustom, that exemplifies the style and automotive attitudes from that period.  If I could afford it, I would buy it for that price, I love it

John B.