Fantabula - Darrill Starbird

Fantabula



FOR ALMOST 60 YEARS one of the most influential builders in the Rod & Custom Industry has been DARRYL STARBIRD.  





His creativity and execution of design, plus his expertise and knowledge that lead to the creation of bubble topped customs, earned him the title of "The Bubble Top King".



Through the years in our various Interviews Darryl and I have covered many, many topics including the origins of The National Rod & Custom Car Hall Of Fame Museum, how his producing car shows began, and, the story of the Predicta.   But one of my favorites of  Darryl's creations has always been the "FANTABULA" !



At the time Darryl built it, it was his largest Bubble Top as it was based on  a full-sized 1958 Chevrolet, and from its debut it was a National Award Winner.  It was originally built for an owner that was in New Orleans but, through its history traveled from New Orleans to St. Louis and eventually to California.



At Darryl's 48th Annual Tulsa Rod & Custom Show in February, 2012, Darryl and I sat down on a Sunday morning to discuss a number of topics we hadn't gone over before...and one of those I really wanted to talk about was the Fantabula.



Darryl's traced its whereabouts through the years, and so this is the story of the "Saga of the Fantabula"...as only DARRYL STARBIRD could tell it !     JK

This was its first incarnation as a custom, originally called the Debutante.