The Kopper Kart remains one of the most successful and most mysterious customs to emerge from the 50’s. It had an amazing track record of notable show wins from its debut in ‘57 through the end of its show career around 1962. It is one of the few Kustoms to have actually been titled to George Barris.

The original Kopper Kart was ... in fact no more.

The world famous national award winner Barris Kustom pickup may be no more, but folks history is about to repeat itself in 2008, with no doubt a world famous “clone” of the Kopper Kart will emerge in Detroit on March 7th.

Remember the eleven year old boy, Vic Collins?

More then thirty years later Vic’s passion and desire for the Kopper Kart is as hot today as the Kart itself has ever been. In 1999 Vic passed up a ‘41 Buick with a straight 8 at an estate sale for 0.00 because he saw a ‘55 Chevy pickup. Vic purchased the truck and had his brother Ed tow it home. The first words out of Ed’s mouth to his brother were, “Are you going to build the Kopper Kart or WHAT?” Vic put in a call to Barry Mazza, owner of the Aztec, knowing he had Studebaker pans, Vic obtained the rare pans and the project was underway.

Remember the eight year old boy, John Maurice in Maine?

He too held a burning fascination for the Kopper Kart. In 1992 John had taken a road that was off the beaten path on his way to Portland, ME and happened to noticed a ‘55 Chevy big back window 1/2 ton pickup at a used car dealership.

In the fall of 2000 John decided to conquer the momentous task of cloning the Kart. As if destined, eight years later, the truck he had seen that day on his way to Portland was still sitting on the same lot. John’s wife Allyssa purchased the truck as a Christmas gift for him and so the cloning in Maine began. Countless hours were spent researching the truck along with many years tracking down hard to find parts.

Unbeknownst to either of these men they were both recreating the world famous Kopper Kart.

Back in Jersey,

Vic’s passion and desire to get serious about his own Kopper Kart led him back to Mark’s shop where they have been working on the truck ever since. There at Mark’s shop Vic met Ron Blaufeder. Ron was immediately interested in the project and came on board. Together the men worked on the truck for years experiencing many problems even though the project starting looking like the Kopper Kart.

They gave up on the ‘55 Chevy and purchased another ‘55 in 2004 and started from scratch, however this time with the knowledge of their mistakes from the first attempt.

Somewhere in-between 2003 - 2004 Mark posted pictures on the HAMB website and learned that another person was cloning the Kopper Kart in Maine. This news made Vic more determined to complete the project.

Meanwhile in Maine,

John Maurice had lowered his truck, installed a 3 speed with overdrive and was driving it. But life had a little surprise for John, he contracted Bell’s Palsy, which forced down time for John. But this allowed him time to continue researching and draw plans for his Kart’s next transformation.

In 2002 he was ready to chop and shortly thereafter he sectioned the truck for the first time. He searched endlessly for key components. Then life blessed John with yet another surprise, a son was born, making time for the Kart less available.

Continues...