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Automotive Lifestyle
VINTAGE: Comedian’s Custom Cars Are No Laughing Matter
Christopher Titus’ 1956 Chevy convertible built by Chip Foose and a tastefully updated Ford woody set for auction at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas.
Christopher Titus' 1956 Chevy convertible was lavishly customized by Chip Foose. (Photo: Barrett-Jackson)
(This article was originally written by Roger Johnson for the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas catalog.)
Christopher Titus, the well-known stand-up comedian and actor, has made a career of making us all feel a little better and happier about life in general.
But there’s another side to Titus – his interest in hot rods and muscle cars is as serious as can be. He also has the means and imagination to explore the outer limits of design and execution.
As a result, his machines are always a cut above the exceptional, and that’s certainly the case with the two cars Titus is offering for sale at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction. Since his taste in cars cuts a broad swath through the auto industry’s classic/custom car section, these two machines respectfully represent both sides of that spectrum.
The dramatic interpretation of a 1956 Chevrolet convertible (Lot #659.1) could alter the belief of some that the middle brother of the Tri-5 family is the black sheep that never gets any respect. In fact, Titus believes it is the ’56 that’s the star of the family; he says the ’55 is just too boxy and the ’57 is just plain “ornate,” at least for his tastes.
Consequently, Titus’ collaboration with hot-shot customizer Chip Foose has produced what is perhaps the ultimate expression of a 1956 Chevrolet custom, and one of the past stars of the SEMA Show.
This Chevy also has a family history. Titus’ father bought it for him as fixer upper when he was a teenager, and they worked on it together for years. But it was not until Titus made it as a TV star did he have the wherewithal to engage Foose to work his magic on it.
Starting with what you cannot see is a special Foose-designed tubular chassis. It was created to accommodate a complete C5 Corvette suspension and braking system. Steering is as precise and modern as you would expect. The build mission was to emphasize performance, style and down-the-road comfort. Smoldering 20-inch Foose Design wheels put the rubber and power to the road.
At a glance, this car may appear radical. That’s because not a square inch of the machine was left untouched during its reinvention process. Yet it’s all those little things that are responsible for this car’s incredible visual effect. The angle of the windshield line, the rear-seat delete feature, the rear deck, even the grille are all re-created masterpieces just waiting to be discovered, by you.
The rear taillights have always been an inviting target for those customizing a ’56 Chevy. This one offers a modern touch with two circular lights incorporated inside the assembly on each tailfin. Such subtle mix of classic and modern design elements is truly the Golden Fleece of custom-car design.
Raising the hood on this car is like uncovering a secret propulsion device. Think of it as an artist’s vision of what more than enough power in a tidy package for the 21st Century looks like. It’s actually a new fuel-injected small-block Chevy 350cid crate engine. But the Foose team created a form of presentation that rivals, if not surpasses, today’s leading high-performance car manufacturers. This car represents a high-water mark in the customizing industry.
You can enjoy Surf City wherever you live with Titus’ 1949 Ford custom woody wagon (Lot #643.2) sporting a three-inch chop of all roof pillars. It has often been used as the family “truckster” in the Titus household for trips to the beach or anywhere else they could think of.
This solid, restored wagon offers numerous upgrades to bring those sweet ’50s and ’60s memories up-to-the-minute with regard to safety and dependability.
Christopher Titus, the well-known stand-up comedian and actor, has made a career of making us all feel a little better and happier about life in general.
But there’s another side to Titus – his interest in hot rods and muscle cars is as serious as can be. He also has the means and imagination to explore the outer limits of design and execution.
As a result, his machines are always a cut above the exceptional, and that’s certainly the case with the two cars Titus is offering for sale at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction. Since his taste in cars cuts a broad swath through the auto industry’s classic/custom car section, these two machines respectfully represent both sides of that spectrum.
The dramatic interpretation of a 1956 Chevrolet convertible (Lot #659.1) could alter the belief of some that the middle brother of the Tri-5 family is the black sheep that never gets any respect. In fact, Titus believes it is the ’56 that’s the star of the family; he says the ’55 is just too boxy and the ’57 is just plain “ornate,” at least for his tastes.
Consequently, Titus’ collaboration with hot-shot customizer Chip Foose has produced what is perhaps the ultimate expression of a 1956 Chevrolet custom, and one of the past stars of the SEMA Show.
This Chevy also has a family history. Titus’ father bought it for him as fixer upper when he was a teenager, and they worked on it together for years. But it was not until Titus made it as a TV star did he have the wherewithal to engage Foose to work his magic on it.
Starting with what you cannot see is a special Foose-designed tubular chassis. It was created to accommodate a complete C5 Corvette suspension and braking system. Steering is as precise and modern as you would expect. The build mission was to emphasize performance, style and down-the-road comfort. Smoldering 20-inch Foose Design wheels put the rubber and power to the road.
At a glance, this car may appear radical. That’s because not a square inch of the machine was left untouched during its reinvention process. Yet it’s all those little things that are responsible for this car’s incredible visual effect. The angle of the windshield line, the rear-seat delete feature, the rear deck, even the grille are all re-created masterpieces just waiting to be discovered, by you.
The rear taillights have always been an inviting target for those customizing a ’56 Chevy. This one offers a modern touch with two circular lights incorporated inside the assembly on each tailfin. Such subtle mix of classic and modern design elements is truly the Golden Fleece of custom-car design.
Raising the hood on this car is like uncovering a secret propulsion device. Think of it as an artist’s vision of what more than enough power in a tidy package for the 21st Century looks like. It’s actually a new fuel-injected small-block Chevy 350cid crate engine. But the Foose team created a form of presentation that rivals, if not surpasses, today’s leading high-performance car manufacturers. This car represents a high-water mark in the customizing industry.
You can enjoy Surf City wherever you live with Titus’ 1949 Ford custom woody wagon (Lot #643.2) sporting a three-inch chop of all roof pillars. It has often been used as the family “truckster” in the Titus household for trips to the beach or anywhere else they could think of.
This solid, restored wagon offers numerous upgrades to bring those sweet ’50s and ’60s memories up-to-the-minute with regard to safety and dependability.
Goodwood Festival Of Speed
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