Batmobiles are cult objects – subjects of books, film lore, and websites. Fans collect comic books showing the various iterations of Batmobiles, models of Batmobiles, or …. actual Batmobiles. The less well-heeled but truly dedicated build their own Batmobiles. Here on eBay is a replica of one of the more iconic Batmobile designs, from Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), with frisky bidding to $150,100, reserve not met. If you don’t want to wait out the auction, there is a buy-it-now of $299,999. This car is based on and titled as a 1996 Chevrolet Caprice and it is street-legal. You can fight crime driving this back home from St. Petersburg, Florida.
The body is a single fiberglass piece dropped onto a Chevy Caprice chassis with the usual modern power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, and automatic transmission. Just like the “real” ’89 Batmobile, the canopy slides open electrically. Visibility is nil, which is why it is equipped with multiple cameras so the driver can move it around without smacking a turbine or a wing. It sits on air ride suspension and has crime-fighting features including motorized faux machine guns that rise out of the front fenders and a working afterburner. (Of course, the inventory of tricks incorporated in the “real” Batmobile was much more extensive.) If the criminal content in your neighborhood diminishes, the car has a great sound system to keep you entertained until the next rogue appears.
The engine is a 4.3 liter Chevy V8 with a dress-up kit. The base car has over 112,000 miles. The car is said to run well. The workings for the ancillaries are installed in the trunk, so you better travel light. The real movie car was based on a 1967 Chevy Impala powered by a 327 cu. in. V8. The front air intake was made from Rolls Royce jet parts, and Harrier jet blades contributed to the front turbine.
The interior is suitable for crime-fighting, with a small-diameter steering wheel, and an instrument panel saturated with gauges. It’s worth noting that connoisseurs may not approve of the color scheme here, as the original car was much more subdued. So all of this research provoked more questions than answers, namely – how many Batmobiles are still rolling around? I couldn’t find an answer to that, but for each movie, several copies are made. One or two are actually driven in the films; the others are promotional cars or are used as props. If you don’t want a replica, this one was actually made for the studio as a prop car, though never used in a movie. The ask on this example started at $1.5 million and is down to $750k; it is electric-powered but not actually because it has not been charged or run in years. Or if you’ll settle for a replica but prefer a different style, there’s this one in Dubai that does run, for $300k. Speaking of aesthetics: which Batmobile is the most classic? The ’89 version gets many thumbs up from aficionados, but for my money, I like the ’66 version. What’s your favorite Batmobile?
Holy “Overpriced” Batman!!
Space utilization clearly not a priority for the Caped Crusader.
“…driving this back home from St. Petersburg, Florida.” I can just imagine breaking down in Des Moines, Iowa while driving this…even AAA would hang up on you.
AAA would say call AA :^}
Street legal? – where? No bumpers, (proper height)headlights, & wipers.
Arizona, I have a 23 t-bucket, no blinkers, no horn, no wipers, no bumpers, no fenders and only one seat belt. Been that way for 23 years and never been pulled over.
Pretty sure your 23 T-bucket didn’t start life as a 1996 Chevy.
this thing no-saled at 180k at premier auction in port charlotte a month or so ago. Its owned by Ben Mallah. He should have taken the money…..
T#rd…
I think my 59 Cadillac convertible that I sprayed flat black and put bats on the doors for brief period was and would still be more fun today than this. Quite a bit of cash for a small block fiber glass prop. I think at that price I would have to invest in a cantankerous, persnickety Lamborghini IMO.
I can remember when I was a kid the batmobile from the tv show was displayed at a car show at ag hall in allentown, PA. Ithought it looked great sitting among all of the cars that were there. As I walked around the show back by the concession stand along the wall was another batmobile from the TV show. It was rough and dirty, with a bunch of spare parts and a for sale sign on it. The price? 1600.00 wish I would have had the money.
There’s only one batmobile as far as im concerned,the original built by George Barris.this one here is just a fiberglass flunkie
I just can’t imagine a grown man wanting to be seen in this out in public.
Is that a 1996 style engine???
My favorite will always be the 66 Barris Classic, but I really love them all.
Yes, the prices on these are steep, but c’mon! You’re a Millionaire Crimefighter. What! You’re going to show up in a Honda Civic!
I might do the Civic. Depends on the price of “Bat” fuel.
Only the original one was the best . That’s the only one I would want !!!!!
My wife and I live in the upper story of a former corner grocery store, so we contend with stairs. As we want to “age in place” here, I have started looking at residential elevators. The best location has us emerging in our garage, the former warehouse for the grocery store. Should we pursue this, we will be able to exclaim, “Holy Grocery Shopping! To the Bat Toyota!”
The original will always be the coolest.
Well, you can either drive around in this or the Oscar Meyer Weiner mobile – I guarantee you will get a lot of looks. A 4.3 liter V-8 ? If I’m going to spend this kind of money it better have a REAL JET ENGINE. Anyway , it’s cool in its own way and whoever buys it must really love Batmobiles. Good luck!
Went to $150,100.00 Reserve Not Met.
If nothing else, the ’66 would be a lot safer driving on the highway. Cameras notwithstanding, this would be a high-risk commuter.