Some cars become the stars of TV shows, despite being subtle and restrained. The Pontiac Firebird driven by James Garner in The Rockford Files is a perfect example of that phenomenon. Others, like the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard, are far less subtle. However, the Batmobile from the 1960s Batman TV series is probably the ultimate expression of a star car. Created by George Barris from a Ford concept car, it is readily identifiable almost six decades after first appearing on our screens. Our feature car is a Tribute that is better than most, featuring all of the gimmicks and gizmos used by the “Dynamic Duo” to stop villains in their tracks. It is a roadworthy turnkey creation that you could park in your Batcave, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Driven By Faith Restorations for spotting this amazing classic.
Batman debuted on American television in January 1966 and remained in production for three seasons. The Caped Crusader didn’t possess the superpowers enjoyed by characters like Superman, but he had access to some pretty cool gadgets to help him thwart criminals. The ultimate gadget was undoubtedly the Batmobile, which could do almost everything except wash his dishes! The show’s producers craved a distinctive and flamboyant vehicle, handing George Barris the task of transforming their dreams into reality. Barris was able to utilize the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car as its base, retaining many of its styling features while adding a few of his own. Incredibly, the transformation from Futura to Batmobile was completed in three weeks, a time frame that is almost unthinkable today. Barris retained ownership of the original car but created several replicas. Our feature car’s fiberglass body was laid down from a mold cast from the fourth replica, meaning its styling and dimensions are as close as you could find to the original vehicle. It recently received a repaint in clear-over-base Black that looks deep enough to walk into. It features the correct lights, stripes, and other minor details, although the turbine doesn’t shoot flames. However, as the seller rightly states, kits are available to achieve that effect, although I’m unsure whether the relevant authorities would view that modification favorably. The only aspect of this car that doesn’t gel is the rear wheel offset. They protrude beyond the fender flares more than on the original car, but sourcing something more accurate shouldn’t be difficult if the buyer views that as an issue.
This Batmobile’s interior presents exceptionally well, with no evidence of wear or damage. It continues the Black and Red theme of the exterior, creating an impact that is hard to ignore. It isn’t completely faithful to the TV vehicle, with changes to the dash, gauges, and wheel. However, these would probably be more to allow the car to comply with the law than a lack of attention by its creator. Otherwise, the buyer still receives many of the gadgets that were a hallmark of the original, including the Batphone, lights, compass, and the Detect-A-Scope.
Considering how flamboyant this car’s interior and exterior are, its mechanical specifications are remarkably restrained. The fiberglass body sits atop a 1979 Lincoln Continental frame and drivetrain. The buyer receives a 400ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power-assisted steering and brakes. The V8 should produce 159hp and 315 ft/lbs of torque. Performance should be respectable, although there is a chance that the fiberglass body may have lowered the donor car’s curb weight. Having said that, this Batmobile will probably see most of its service in parades or on static display, meaning it doesn’t need to be a rocket. The car is in excellent mechanical health and is a turnkey proposition for the new owner.
It is fifty-six years since the final episode of Batman went to air, although it frequently appears in reruns, and Warner Brothers has released every episode on DVD. This has kept the Batmobile fresh in the minds of many older viewers and introduced a new generation to the amazing George Barris creation. The seller listed this Tribute here on eBay in Wind Gap, Pennsylvania. The price of $199,500 can’t even be remotely considered cheap, but there is the option to make an offer. If you had the money, is this a star car that you would park in your garage?
“Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb!” – Batman circa 1966.
One of my favorites
Robin: “Holy Flypaper Batman, the Batmobile won’t start”
Batman: “Check the battery”
Robin: “What’s a Tery?”
It took me a second.
Oldie but goodie
Everyone, do the Batusi ( cue corny 60s dance music). The Simpsons made fun of the late, great Adam West in the Mr. Plow episode. Homer goes to plow Adam Wests drive, except Barney got there 1st. West is still driving the Batmobile, which has become a beater, backfiring, smoking, tailpipe dragging. The kids don’t recognize him and say “who the heck is Robin?”. If it wasn’t for retro TV shows, these series would fade away. To a 12 year old kid, however, the Batmobile was the epitome of advancement. The show itself was pretty corny, even for a kid.
Again, if you happen to have too much money, and 20 million folks in this country do, along with the hat, the tricorder, a vintage fighter jet,, may as well throw a Batmobile in the mix.
On one of my many trips to the UP of Mich. years ago, der hey, on a backroad, ( not many “front” roads up there), 1959 Pontiac lovers may want to stop here, an, um, enterprising Yooper farmer, “converted” a really nice ’59 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, into their rendition of a Batmobile, displayed proudly on their front lawn. Not only did they ruin a nice ’59 Bonne ragtop, they made fun of the original. It was hideous, and remotely resembled a Batmobile, it was black.
We drove through the upper peninsula for “fun” one time in the summer of 1990. We were in Grand Rapids headed to our family’s cottage in Door County Wisconsin. We could have taken the Badger across Lake Michigan (did that in 2006) but decided to drive. It was a beautiful, loooong, day of driving. Grand Rapids to the bridge was long, then another long haul down to Green Bay, Wisconsin and back up to Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Horse flys the size of ping pong balls, a roadkill deer every 10 miles or so and UP Michigan State Police sitting back in the trees. It is beautiful and you can still find remnants of the great forest fire that carried embers over Green Bay to parts of Door County.
Jingle bells Batman smells Robin layed a egg… Someone finish the verse.
The batmobile lost it’s wheel &….
the Commissioner ran away
And the Joker got away, hay!
I had a personal tag on my 60 Cadillac
It read “Batmbil”. I still have the tag.
Holy rubbers, Batman, Bat girl’s pregnant!
Sounds like they may have been
”holey” indeed!
There are only two star cars that I would consider parking in my one-car garage.
* Mannix’ Dart GT (def NOT the hideous Toro Connie)
* The Saint’s P1800
[ closes the garage door ]
I want Straker’s car from the UK’s “UFO” tv show in my garage. Oddly, it’s left hand drive!
No wipers on the Batmobile – must have never rained in Gotham City in the 1960s. Funny i never noticed that huge blindspot in the middle of the windshield! – surprised any state would allow you to register one, let alone drive one on public roads. Oddly, the Futura concept car it was based on had no such blind spot.
If a buyer is fretting over the rear wheel offset, it shouldn’t be a problem to source a Ford 9” with the proper or desired wheel spacing. Housings and axles are readily available. I put a narrowed one in my1950 Studebaker Champion.
I think I had one of these Hot Wheels when I was a kid.
You sure you’re not thinking of Corgi? Don’t remember Hot Wheels putting out a Batmobile.
Yes i sold at toy shows for many years, Corgi #267.
Holy Barnfinds Batman!!
200 grand. To drive it in your local cities parade? Uh…no.
I wonder how many of these there are. I just saw one that looked just like this one, but in Southern New Mexico. I even got a “Batmobile Driver’s License”, which I gave to our veterinarian, who goes by the name “Dr. Batman”.
wonder if the buyer could make the molds for future replicas maybe made with beefier donor cars like a modern Camaro rs
My dream star car is Grandpas coffin, “Dragula” that he used to win the family wagon back at the drag strip. I believe it was Barris built as well.