Larry Grossman

A photo of Larry taken in 1962 at age 14. "I had been drawing wild monsters and cars on shirts for kids with felt markers, until my Mom drove me to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth’s shop in Maywood, CA. I was a big fan of Roth's, and was thrilled when he airbrushed a shirt for me (BTW, out back they were working on the "Mysterion"). I promptly went home and quickly bought myself an airbrush! Within a few months I was custom airbrushing shirts for customers at car shows, department stores, fairs, and other events." Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

A photo of Larry taken in 1963, when he won 1st place trophy for his V-8 powered motorcycle model at the Winternationals Car Show. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

A photo of Larry taken in 1964, when he was 16 years old. "My first car, a ’29 Model A Sedan with tuck 'n roll, and a 283 Vette motor with tri-power (paid for with my shirt money)." Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Larry first met George Barris around 1962 when he would ride his 10-speed bike to his shop and hang out, watching his guys work on the cars. "By 1965, George invited me to airbrush shirts in his booth at the "Teenage Fair" in Hollywood. In the booth right next to Barris' was Ed "Big Daddy" Roth himself, who I was now competing with (I was 17)!! Both Barris and Roth were my heroes, and over the years, I did quite a bit of art for George and became friends with his family as well." Larry designed a couple of cars for George, in addition to creating the art for the cover of his final book. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Larry in the Barris booth at The Tridents Car Club Show in L.A. in 1965. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

A 1957 Chevrolet Nomad that Larry owned in 1966. This is one of his favorite cars. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

A photo of Larry taken in 1968. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Larry's Monster shirts in the Barris shop window around 1968. The inscription reads: "To Larry, Thanks for the Super Great Art Work - G Barris." Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Art that Larry did for the movie TRON in 1981. "The characters were matted into my airbrushed backgrounds." In 1967, Larry relocated to Berkeley, where he pursued and completed his education at the California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC), later returning to teach Animation. His talents caught the attention of Disney Studios, leading to his significant role as a designer for the 1982 groundbreaking film "TRON." This project was pivotal as it introduced Larry to the capabilities of computer technology in artistic creation, fundamentally shaping his future work. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Post-TRON, Larry embarked on a freelance career, creating artworks for major studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and DreamWorks. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

A photo of Larry with his Metro on the set of Back to the Future. "Unfortunately, me and my Metro were edited out when they canned Eric Stolz as Marty McFly." Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Frank Zappa album cover art by Larry from 1991. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

A Mustang design that Larry did for Barris and Galpin Ford in 2001. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

A Mini Limo design Larry did for George Barris in 2002. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Larry and George Barris with the Batmobile at a show somewhere around 2003. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Norm Grabowski admiring Larry's art, pointing at his Kookie T rod at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

An In-N-Out Burger t-shirt design that Larry did in 2010. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Larry and his gal Sue at the 2013 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

A Pep Boys metal sign that Larry designed in 2014. Notice Larry himself in his '32. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Larry did the cover art for King of the Kustomizers: The Art of George Barris by Brett Barris in 2015. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Famed drag racer Tommy Ivo autographing the signs Larry created of his four-engine dragster in 2016. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

A photo of Larry with his chopped 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe. He still owned this one in 2024. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Larry's other ride in 2024 was a 1961 Nash Metropolitan. "I bought it in 1982, and it was a rusted wreck (the convertibles are hard to find!). I ended up doing all of the restoration myself, including bodywork, paint, wiring, motor rebuild …everything except the interior. And with almost no updates, it still wins trophies today!" Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Larry and Jay Leno with the Nash in 2018, when it was featured on the Jay Leno's Garage TV show. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

A mural that Larry created for the Rasputin Record Store in California. Photo courtesy of Larry Grossman.

Larry currently license his art for about 20 different products, including metal signs, T-shirts, jigsaw puzzles, phone cases, canvas prints, murals, fabric, bowling balls(!), etc.. "But I think perhaps the most interesting is that The Hamilton Collection is putting my art on models, so I have come full circle from when I used to build model cars!" If interested, contact Larry Grossman at: larry@retrovisions.com.

Featured Story

Larry Grossman is a renowned artist whose illustrious career, beginning in the mid-1960s in Los Angeles, spans the realms of custom car culture, animation, and digital artistry. From his early days working alongside icons like George Barris to his pioneering work in digital media, Grossman's journey is a fascinating chronicle of creativity and innovation.

Beginnings: Airbrushes and Icons

Grossman's artistic journey began in the mid-1960s in Los Angeles, where, at just 15 years old, he started airbrushing and selling wild T-shirts at car shows and events. His early exposure to the vibrant car culture of L.A. allowed him to occasionally collaborate with George Barris, famously dubbed the "King of the Car Kustomizers." At 17, during a "Teenage Fair" in Hollywood, Larry found himself painting shirts in Barris's booth, right next to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, another monumental figure in the car customizing and art world. This proximity to influential figures not only shaped his early career but also forged lasting friendships, notably with Barris, for whom Larry would later design car concepts and even create the cover artwork for Barris's last published book.

Educational Pursuits and Animation: From Berkeley to Disney

In 1967, Larry relocated to Berkeley, where he pursued and completed his education at the California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC), later returning to teach Animation. His talents caught the attention of Disney Studios, leading to his significant role as a designer for the 1982 groundbreaking film "TRON." This project was pivotal as it introduced Larry to the capabilities of computer technology in artistic creation, fundamentally shaping his future work.

The Digital Revolution: A New Artistic Process

Post-TRON, Larry embarked on a freelance career, creating artworks for major studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and DreamWorks. During this time, he also illustrated album covers for the legendary musician Frank Zappa. His engagement with computer technology on "TRON" inspired him to develop a unique artistic process that involved digital airbrushing combined with his photography, leading to distinctive and visually captivating results.

A Love for Classics: Personal Projects and Pursuits

An avid car enthusiast, Larry not only immortalizes classic styles through his art but also enjoys them personally. In 2024, he owned a '32 Ford hot rod and a '61 Nash Metro Convertible, handling all the mechanical work himself. His Nash Metro even garnered attention on the popular TV show "Jay Leno's Garage."

Retrovisions: Celebrating Nostalgia Through Art

Through his business, Retrovisions, Larry Grossman continues to create and exhibit his artwork globally. His pieces, which often reflect the nostalgic styles of the 1930s to 1950s, are showcased in galleries and museums worldwide. Larry has self-published over seventy-five posters and has diversified his artistic presence into a variety of products, including metal signs, T-shirts, calendars, jigsaw puzzles, phone cases, model cars, fabric, and even bowling balls. This broad array of licensed art products allows fans of his work to own a piece of unique artistic expression that celebrates the golden era of American car culture.

Commissioned Art: Personalizing Nostalgia

Imagine the thrill of seeing your own car, or even yourself, immortalized in a classic Larry Grossman scene! Larry welcomes commissions from enthusiasts who desire personalized artwork that not only showcases their vehicles but also can include beloved pets, their business names, or any personal element they wish to add. This bespoke service allows individuals to own a unique piece of art that reflects their personal style and passions, intricately blended with Larry's distinctive retro flair. For those interested in acquiring or commissioning Larry's work, visit his website at www.retrovisions.com or contact him directly at (818) 970-9128 to discuss your custom art project. Whether it's for a personal collection or a special gift, Larry's commissioned pieces offer a timeless celebration of individual stories and classic automotive beauty.

Larry Grossman's Cars

Larry Grossman's 1929 Ford Model A Four-Door Sedan
Larry Grossman's 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe
Larry Grossman's 1961 Nash Metropolitan