[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-rods\/stunning-ford-beatnik-bubble-top-auction\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-rods\/stunning-ford-beatnik-bubble-top-auction\/","headline":"FORD BEATNIKL BUBBLE TOP UP FOR AUCTION","name":"FORD BEATNIKL BUBBLE TOP UP FOR AUCTION","description":"I\u2019ve seen some strange and wonderful concept vehicles and one-off custom cars in my time, but this custom Ford \u2018Beatnik Bubble Top\u2019 is by far the strangest to actually exist \u2013 yet also strangely familiar\u2026 Later this month, Gary Fioto\u2019s weird and wonderful creation is up for auction in California (where else). Gary runs Chopit Kustom based in Orange County, where they specialise in hot rods and \u2018kustoms\u2019 and even motorcycles. The cars are beautiful, harking back to the America […]","datePublished":"2015-07-22","dateModified":"2015-11-03","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ford-Bubble-Car.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ford-Bubble-Car.jpg","height":484,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-rods\/stunning-ford-beatnik-bubble-top-auction\/","about":["HOT RODS"],"wordCount":342,"keywords":["American Graffiti","Auction America","beatnik","bubble top","Chopit Kustom","citroen ds","custom","ford","Fresno Autorama","Gary Fioto","kustom","National Rod and Custom Car Hall of Fame Show"],"articleBody":"I\u2019ve seen some strange and wonderful concept vehicles and one-off custom cars in my time, but this custom Ford \u2018Beatnik Bubble Top\u2019 is by far the strangest to actually exist \u2013 yet also strangely familiar\u2026Later this month, Gary Fioto\u2019s weird and wonderful creation is up for auction in California (where else). Gary runs Chopit Kustom based in Orange County, where they specialise in hot rods and \u2018kustoms\u2019 and even motorcycles.The cars are beautiful, harking back to the America in the fifties and sixties and films like American Graffiti, but the Beatnik stands out from the rest its sheer look-at-me design.The donor car started out as a 1955 Ford and after 3 years of Gary \u2018Chopit\u2019 Fiota making it up as he went along, the final result is a breath-taking car that probably has very few blind spots.\u201cIt\u2019s got to have attitude\u201d says Fioto of the creation that won the Grand Prize at the National Rod and Custom Car Show in 2006.The Ford Beatnik has gone on to win many more accolades, including Best Custom on its debut at the Blackie\u2019s Fresno Autorama in 2005 plus awards at the Annual Grand National Roadster Show and the National Rod and Custom Car Hall of Fame Show.The body is hand-made and all metal – no carbon fibre here – and features custom hydraulics to allow the car to rest on the ground when not cruising, rather like the Citroen DS. Stealing this car\u2019s wheels will take more than a jack and 4-way wheel brace.Just like the bodywork, the dashboard is also hand-made as you can see from the pictures below. It compliments the exterior curves perfectly.I\u2019ve been wracking my brains trying to think of what this car reminds me of exactly – and I think it must be FAB1 from Thunderbirds; Lady Penelope\u2019s awesome pink ride.The Beatnik Bubble Top goes up for auction 17-18 July in Santa Monica at Auction America and is expected to fetch around $200,000 (\u00a3128,000) and gain plenty more fans.Images: chopitkustom.com, topgear.com"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Hot Rods","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/hot-rods\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"FORD BEATNIKL BUBBLE TOP UP FOR AUCTION","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/hot-rods\/stunning-ford-beatnik-bubble-top-auction\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]