Custom cars represent the height of personal expression in the automobile industry, blending engineering and creativity to create masterpieces. Individuals like George Barris, Gene Winfield, and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth have made a name for themselves, making custom cars and inspiring other customizers beyond American borders. Here are 15 unique custom cars that truly stand out with their style, personality, and performance.

Munsters Koach by George Barris

“The Munsters,” a 1960s sitcom about a family of monsters, starred Herman Munster, a Frankenstein-like creature. It also featured Lily and Grandpa, both vampires; Eddie, a werewolf; and niece Marilyn, a human. George Barris crafted a car for Herman that fit the theme. The Munsters Koach looks like an American roadster designed in old Victorian style, with black paint, blood-red velvet seats, and ornate brass accents.

Cadillac Coupe “Sophia” by John D’Agostino

Named after screen icon Sophia Loren, this custom Cadillac will stun you with its meticulous details. The white and mint color scheme flows from the exterior to the leather interior, with a Mother of Pearl plastic steering wheel and a seamlessly molded body. After John D’Agostino designed this award-winning 1940 Cadillac Series 62 with Oz custom bodywork, the engineers added a 500ci engine and a stunning Ice Mint Pearl finish.

GReddy VI by RE Amemiya

In 1996, RE Amemiya created the one-off GReddy VI-AZ1 for the Tokyo Auto Salon. The tuning company built this custom Autozam AZ-1 with inspiration from the AZ-550 Type-C but made it longer and broader before adding a 20B three-rotor Wankel engine. While it retains its original gullwing doors, the custom car now has Bilstein suspension from a Porsche 962 and Ferrari F40 brakes. Also, they repainted and further modified it in 2000.

Speedster by Eagle

Eagle has spent the past 30 years transforming Jaguar E-Types into masterpieces. They built this curvy Speedster for an American client who wanted something unique. Paul Brace and his team clocked nearly 4,000 work hours before making this masterpiece. They installed a 4.7-liter aluminum XK inline paired with a modern 5-speed transmission in a lightweight aluminum case.

Kargoyle by George Barris

Before the Kargoyle, George Barris had a complicated relationship with hearses. He had earlier refused to use one for “The Munsters” Koach, but he eventually embraced their eerie potential. The customizer started with a 1967 Cadillac Funeral Coach Miller-Meteor as the framework. Then he added a monstrous 427-CID V8 engine and distinctive details like suicide doors and spider-web hubcaps to give a dark, Ed Roth-inspired aesthetic.

1948 Cadillac by Billy F. Gibbons

The CadZZilla successfully merged 1950s classic style with 1980s technology. It received notable public attention because its customizers were experts in the business; Cadillac’s Larry Erickson designed the look while Boyd Coddington’s Hot Rod Shop built the piece. After they completed it in 1989, it toured with ZZ Top and graced the cover of Hot Rod Magazine, showing a 500 cu Cadillac V8 engine built by Art Chrisman.

The Reactor by Gene Winfield

Gene Winfield hand-built the Reactor based on a classic Citroën DS after receiving $20,000 from Kizis to build a show car for an event. This low-slung aluminum car became a small screen star in the ’60s, appearing on shows like “Bewitched,” “Star Trek,” and “Batman.” It has a sleek white and mint design, a Mother of Pearl steering wheel, and an elegant body designed by meticulous hands.

The Galaxian by Paradise Road

Paradise Road, a Japanese autos shop, first achieved global status when they designed the Rod Riguez, a custom car they featured in the 2005 Grand National Roadster Show. However, Junichi Shimodaira opened the business in February 1987 and started customizing cars, admiring George Barris and Darryl Starbird, who inspired him with their show cars. He built The Galaxian from a 1928 Ford Model T, distorting its original shape and transforming the classic car into a multicolored beauty.

The Batmobile by George Barris

1965 Greenway Productions commissioned Dean Jeffries to modify a 1959 Cadillac for a show. When the client shortened the deadline, Jeffries handed the project to George Barris, who transformed it into the iconic Batmobile for the 1966 “Batman” series. Barris and his team revamped the 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura in three weeks. They also installed a 429 Ford Full Race engine with NitroOxide Thrust and other gadgets. The Batmobile pulled a hefty $4,200,000 price tag at auction.

1967 Shelby Ford Mustang GT500 “Eleanor”

One of the most iconic Mustangs ever built is Eleanor from the “Gone in 60 Seconds” remake starring Nicolas Cage. Since there are only 11 worldwide, they are scarce. This $250,000 success was due to the collaboration between Steve Stanford, Chip Foose, and Star Car. This beauty gained fame alongside Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, and Robert Duvall. Thanks to a 351 Ford Motorsport Crate engine, Schmidt wheels, and a custom body kit, Eleanor became a legend in the Mustang community, inspiring countless other replicas.

Sonny & Cher’s Mustangs by Ford

When the power couple Sonny & Cher were at the peak of their musical careers in 1965, Ford decided to leverage their popularity by gifting them a pair of San Jose-built 1966 Mustang convertibles. However, these weren’t your average Mustangs; they had 289 cubic inch V8 engines and automatic transmissions. The automaker sent the cars to the one and only George Barris, who transformed them into unique “His” and “Hers” rides that reflected the duo’s personalities.

The Voxmobile by George Barris

On special request by guitar manufacturing company Vox, George Barris built an exceptional car that showcased the imagination and investment of its owners. Since Vox wanted a fully functional product, Barris built a giant Vox guitar on wheels, adding three Vox Beatle amps, speakers, 32 audio jacks along the sides, and a stage large enough to accommodate three guitarists and one organist during live performances.

Blastolene B-702 by Blastolene Brothers

Michael Leeds and Randy Grubb built this handmade roadster, drawing much of the design direction from 1930s French cars. Although this custom car is American, they combined European design with powerful performance. They added a nickel-plated chassis and an 11.0L GM V12 engine called the “Twin-Six.” At 19.5 feet and 94 inches wide, it can produce 650 lb-ft of torque at 850 rpm. Deservedly, it cost $550,000 at the 2015 Scottsdale auction.

Top Secret V12 Supra by Smokey Nagata

Although the (A80) Toyota Supra was an established icon in high-performance sports cars, Japanese tuner Smokey Nagata believed it could be more. Him and his Top Secret team meticulously designed the custom interior and aerodynamic bodywork. They added a finely tuned 5.0-liter 1GZ-FE V12 engine from a Toyota Century. When Nagata completed this car, it became a modern-day automotive legend, producing nearly 1000 HP.

The Emperor by George Barris

While many manufacturers produce luxury roadsters, this customizer created a unique hot rod car. George Barris’ “The Emperor” stands out with its sleek body, exposed engine, and luxurious upholstery. First built for Charles Krikorian, it has a 1929 Ford Model A body, a 1957 Cadillac V8 engine, and Barris’ signature 40-coat Kandy Burgundy paint. It’s not surprising The Emperor bagged the “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” award in 1960.