- The Beatnik Bubbletop is a fully custom 1955 Ford with a distinctive bubble roof.
- It is one of hundreds being sold from the collection of the late Larry Klairmont.
- In 2015, this very same car was sold for $165,000 and remains as unique as ever.
One could argue that cars nowadays often appear somewhat boring or uninspired. However, you could not level that criticism against this completely custom 1955 Ford, known as the Beatnik Bubbletop. It’s won a slew of awards, and now, nearly a decade after its last auction appearance, it’s heading back to the block.
var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};
adpushup.que.push(function() {
if (adpushup.config.platform !== “DESKTOP”){
adpushup.triggerAd(“0f7e3106-c4d6-4db4-8135-c508879a76f8”);
} else {
adpushup.triggerAd(“82503191-e1d1-435a-874f-9c78a2a54a2f”);
}
});
Read: A Flying Saucer On Wheels Is About To Hit The Auction Block
Built over four years by custom car builder Gary Fioto, this one-of-a-kind machine took the top prize at several shows in 2005 and 2006, including the prestigious Daryl Starbird’s National Rod and Custom Car Show, where it earned a $20,000 grand prize in 2006. Today, it belongs to the late Larry Klairmont’s collection. Klairmont, a noted collector, passed away in 2021.
A Frankenstein Foundation With Tailfins and Flair
Fioto began by taking the roof off a 1955 Ford and mounting the body onto the chassis of a 1988 Lincoln Town Car. From there, the build only got bolder. A front bumper from a 1959 Cadillac and a rear bumper from a 1958 model were grafted on, while finned taillights from a 1960 Chrysler completed the dramatic tail-end treatment. Everything in between was handcrafted, shaped in steel, and joined with oxy-acetylene welding for a seamless, sculptural finish.
The car’s most distinctive feature is the clear, domed roof made from Lexan. This oversized bubble gives the Beatnik its space-age silhouette, drawing comparisons to vintage science fiction more than any showroom model. It’s less car, more concept.
Mecum Auctions
The interior has also been hand-built by Fioto. There’s an all-new dashboard, a yoke-style steering wheel, and color-matched air vents running through to the second row. Sitting between the two rear seats is a small Alpine entertainment screen. The seats are trimmed in a glossy Pearl White upholstery, and a Vintage Air HVAC system has also been installed.
In July 2015, this very car was auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s and traded hands for an impressive $165,000. Mecum Auctions will now sell it this September. It’ll be interesting to see if it has increased in value over the past decade.
Love it or not, the Beatnik Bubbletop isn’t trying to win anyone’s approval. It already did that a decade ago. It’s loud, odd, and impossible to ignore, which is exactly the point. Curious? Check the listing here and see if it’s still too much, or just enough.
var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};
adpushup.que.push(function() {
if (adpushup.config.platform !== “DESKTOP”){
adpushup.triggerAd(“bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c”);
} else {
adpushup.triggerAd(“9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751”);
}
});