One of the most celebrated custom cars of the 21st century will headline Mecum Auctions’ Larry’s Legacy 2025 sale this September, as the 1955 Ford Beatnik Bubbletop Custom crosses the block at no reserve.
The late Larry Klairmont spent more than a decade collecting rare and coveted classic and collector cars, along with thousands of items of Road Art and memorabilia to complete the look and feel of his Chicago-based museum. A long-time dedicated customer of Mecum Auctions, Klairmont had full faith in the company’s proven ability to draw the best audiences in the world, which is why the museum has selected Mecum to handle the upcoming sale of his treasured collection. Mecum Auctions has spent more than 38 years building trust among the collector car community, offering more than 2,000 collections of varying types in that time. For the company’s lucky bidders, such collections often offer rare buying opportunities for vehicles that have long been tucked away or that have never changed hands at all, along with the peace of mind that the cars were held in the attentive care of a true-blue collector car enthusiast. Click here to register for the Larry’s Legacy auction, to be held on-site at the museum’s downtown Chicago location this Sept. 19-21.
Built by California customizer Gary “Chopit” Fioto over four painstaking years, the Beatnik Bubbletop is regarded as one of the most ambitious modern interpretations of 1950s and 1960s show car culture. Inspired by legendary builders such as George Barris, Gene Winfield, and Dean Jeffries, the car blends period influences with radical craftsmanship, resulting in a one-of-a-kind creation that has captured awards across the country.
The custom first gained fame in 2005, winning Blackie Gejeian’s Fresno Autorama Sweepstakes Award. It followed that with major honors the next year, including the George Barris Kustom d’Elegance award and Outstanding Custom at the Grand National Roadster Show, along with the Grand Prize at Darryl Starbird’s National Rod and Custom Car Show. The Beatnik also won the American Cup at Carl Casper’s Custom Car Show and dominated its class at the Detroit Autorama.
Underneath its dramatic purple-painted steel and aluminum bodywork lies a modified 1988 Lincoln Town Car chassis. The hand-formed panels feature wave-style detailing, with elements borrowed from multiple makes: a 1959 Cadillac bumper in front, a 1958 Cadillac bumper in back, Chrysler fins and taillights, and quad canted headlights reminiscent of late-1950s Lincolns. The crowning feature is a molded Lexan bubble top, enclosing a pearl white interior with four bucket seats, a tubular center console, and a Chrysler Astradome instrument cluster.
Power comes from a 350-cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 topped with six carburetors and dressed in period speed equipment, paired with an automatic transmission.
Previously displayed at the 2023 MCACN show, the Beatnik Bubbletop remains one of the defining custom cars of its era and a showcase of Fioto’s imaginative artistry.
Eve Nowell