Some cars impress with speed. Others captivate with design. And then there are creations like The Pool Hustler, a custom hot rod built in the early 1970s that delivers pure spectacle the moment you see it. Designed by movie-car craftsman Steve Tansy, this eccentric masterpiece blends American muscle with playful imagination — and now, it’s heading to auction for the first time in years.
A Hot Rod Unlike Anything Else
The Pool Hustler doesn’t hide its personality. A full-size antique pool table sits neatly above the chassis, creating a look that belongs in a collector’s gallery as much as on the road. The table, reportedly over 100 years old, rests between flared bodywork and bright period paint. Wheel covers shaped like billiard balls add a sense of humor, while the V-shaped steering column nods to a cue stick.
Beneath all that theater sits a 426 Hemi V-8, a legendary engine in American performance culture. The car’s current auction listing notes that the engine does not run, yet this rarely matters with one-off showpieces. Collectors chase uniqueness and provenance—and The Pool Hustler offers both in full measure.
A Time Capsule of Custom Car Culture
Tansy, known for his work on film icons like the Ecto-1 and early Batmobiles, built The Pool Hustler during an era when custom car design pushed boundaries. Builders experimented with bold shapes, oversized engines, and unexpected features. This hot rod captures that spirit perfectly. It’s part performance machine, part rolling sculpture, and entirely a product of its time.
A signature from legendary designer George Barris, added in 2011, strengthens its cultural value. The car also comes from a long-held private collection, adding even more intrigue for bidders.
Heading to Auction
The Pool Hustler will cross the block through Historics Auctioneers in late November 2025 as Lot 241. It carries no reserve, which increases excitement around the sale. For collectors of custom cars, show rods, or unusual automotive art, this is a rare opportunity. Pieces like this almost never return to the public market.
Why Collectors Care
Today’s luxury car world often celebrates hypercars, coachbuilt EVs, and limited-run collaborations. The Pool Hustler, however, offers something entirely different: personality. It tells a story. It reflects a moment in American creativity that valued fun as much as engineering.
For the right collector, this car is more than a hot rod. It’s a conversation starter, an unforgettable display piece, and a reminder that automotive luxury can come from imagination, not just refinement.
