Autoblog

Original 1966 Batmobile sells for an amazing $4,620,000 at Barrett-Jackson [UPDATE: w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 22:39:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Auctions, Celebrities, Specialty, TV/Movies

Well, that was exciting. We just watched the original Batmobile sell for a shocking $4,620,000, after all fees have been assessed. That makes this the most expensive vehicle sold (so far) here at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson car auction. Impressive.

The Batmobile was joined on stage by George Barris himself, who had previously been the car's only owner. You can read all about the Batmobile here (and by scrolling down below for its official auction description), but what you really want to do is check out our high-res image gallery of the car crossing the auction block above. It was, to put it mildly, a mad house.

*UPDATE: Video of the live auction can now be seen below. Trust us, you don't want to miss out on this one.

Continue reading Original 1966 Batmobile sells for an amazing $4,620,000 at Barrett-Jackson [UPDATE: w/video]

Original 1966 Batmobile sells for an amazing $4,620,000 at Barrett-Jackson [UPDATE: w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 22:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Batmobile lawsuit may have ramifications for customizing industry

Zach Bowman — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Government/Legal, Celebrities

While George Barris is preparing to sell his original 1966 Batmobile at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, another custom builder is attempting to stave off a copyright lawsuit. Mark Towle has been building Batmobile replicas through his business, Gotham Garage, for years, and has sold off two versions of the famous '66 TV car and at least one recreation of Bruce Wayne's ride from the 1989 film. His efforts have earned him a two-year legal battle with Warner Brothers subsidiary DC Comics, with the publisher claiming its copyright protection extends to "the overall look and feel" of the Batmobile and that Towle has violated those copyrights.

Towle's attorney, meanwhile, argues that DC Comics is attempting to rewrite copyright law by applying the protections to automobiles, which "do not qualify as sculptural works and are thus not eligible for copyright protection." If a judge decides the design elements found on the Batmobile are useful, the case will likely go Towle's way, as functional elements cannot be protected under US copyright law. But DC Comics contends the Batmobile is intellectual property and that Towle has profited from the company's efforts.

The custom builder says that a victory for DC Comics could "completely upend existing copyright law," and open the door for manufacturers to copyright any number of useful elements found on their products. What's more, anyone building a tribute to famous cars from the television or movie industries could find themselves in legal hot water.

Batmobile lawsuit may have ramifications for customizing industry originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Jan 2013 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

In Detail: Original 1966 Batmobile on display ahead of sale at Barrett-Jackson

Zach Bowman — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Auctions, Celebrities, Design/Style

The original 1966 Batmobile is headed to auction in Scottsdale, AZ on January 19, and we hopped down to Barris Kustoms in North Hollywood before the car left for good. George Barris has owned this particular car since 1965 when he bought it from Ford for the princely sum of $1. While it started life as the expensive and Italian-built 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept, the car would go on to worldwide fame after a hasty makeover from Barris. Over just three days, the custom car builder sank his teeth into the hand-hammered sheetmetal to create Batman's first Batmobile.

Up close, the car can't help but look cartoonish thanks to its over-the-top '60s design, but that doesn't diminish the car's presence. This is the car Adam West spent two years piloting around Gotham and matching wits with the city's cast of deviants. Very cool. We'll keep you posted on how the car performs when it rolls across the stage at Barret-Jackson Scottsdale next month.

In Detail: Original 1966 Batmobile on display ahead of sale at Barrett-Jackson originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Dec 2012 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

George Barris to sell original 1966 Batmobile at Barrett-Jackson [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Auctions, Ford, Lincoln, Celebrities, Specialty

Holy celebrity auction, Batman! The one and only original Batmobile, constructed by celebrity customizer George Barris, is slated to go up for auction at the Barret-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ, on January 19, 2013.

While a great many replicas and copies of the Batmobile have been bought and sold, this particular machine has been owned by Barris since 1965, when he purchased the car on which it is based, the Lincoln Futura Concept from 1955, from Ford for the sum of one dollar. Money well spent, we'd say.

When Barris was approached to build the original Batmobile, he was reportedly given just 15 days and $15,000 to make it happen. With that kind of deadline, the Futura Concept, with its unique double-bubble roof and Ghia-styled bodywork, was an ideal starting point.

Barris added such iconic bits and pieces as "a nose-mounted aluminum Cable Cutter Blade, Bat Ray Projector, Anti-Theft Device, Detect-a-scope, Batscope, Bat Eye Switch, Antenna Activator, Police Band Cut-In Switch, Automatic Tire Inflation Device, Remote Batcomputer, the Batphone, Emergency Bat Turn Lever, Anti-Fire Activator, Bat Smoke, Bat Photoscope, and many other Bat gadgets," such as twin parachutes at the rear used to execute 180-degree turns.

Knowing the theatrics Barrett-Jackson typically employs with such celebrity cars, something tells us the Batmobile's next owner will meet plenty of Batmen, Batwomen, and Batcustomizers come January. Check out the Batmobile in the gallery above, and feel free to browse the press release and watch a bonus Barris and Batmobile video below.

Continue reading George Barris to sell original 1966 Batmobile at Barrett-Jackson [w/video]

George Barris to sell original 1966 Batmobile at Barrett-Jackson [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Which Batmobile wins this drag race, 1966 or 1989?

Zach Bowman — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Etc., Videos, Specialty

If there's one thing nerds love more than obscure factoids, it's the thrill of a good argument. MSN has set out to settle one of comic bookdom's quintessential questions by attempting to discern whether the 1989 Batmobile is quicker than its 1966 predecessor. While we'd love nothing better to see the atomic-powered sire do battle with its jet-powered offspring, we'll just have to make due with a couple of replicas. In this case, the '89 gets its power from a carbureted Chevrolet small block with an aluminum intake manifold and not much else.

Meanwhile, the 1966 uses a C4 Chevrolet Corvette for its underpinnings, complete with a fuel-injected small block of its own. The '66 boasts an estimated 300-325 horsepower while the '89 serves up a more modest 285 ponies. Bets are made, flags are dropped an one vehicle stands above the other. We won't spoil it for you.

We will say there seems to be some on-screen trickery afoot, however. Watch closely, and it's clear the '89 holds onto left lane at the beginning of the race, only to swap places in the slow-motion replay. Something tells us this game was rigged from the start. Hit the jump to see the full episode for yourself, but be warned. Fair warning: the finale sequence may be Not Safe For Work for some of you. Maybe there's something else nerds love more than arguing and flexing their trivia muscle.

Continue reading Which Batmobile wins this drag race, 1966 or 1989?

Which Batmobile wins this drag race, 1966 or 1989? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Random Sightings: Original Batmobile spotted at SoCal car wash

Drew Phillips — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc.

Original Batmobile - Click above for high-res gallery

It's no secret that Southern California is home to one of the best car cultures in the world. You can find a cruise or car show pretty much any day of the year, and it's always amazing to see the vehicles that show up. It's even incredible to see the kinds of cars that are simply out and about performing normal, everyday tasks. In addition to the usual Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, you can sometimes catch some truly unique cars out in the wild.

Take, for instance, this original Batmobile that was out getting a wash and wax at the Car Spa in Newport Beach this weekend. It's the fourth of four original Batmobiles built by George Barris back in 1966 and is known as the "dragster" version because of its 427ci Holman and Moody V8 underhood and dual parachutes attached to the rear. The car was built to serve as an exhibition model and actually raced at several drag strips around the country back in the 1960's. It also comes with a working saw blade that drops down at the front and can actually shoot flames out the back. We tip our hats to the fine gentleman that actually drives this thing on the street. High-res photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 1966 Batmobile Dragster

Random Sightings: Original Batmobile spotted at SoCal car wash originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Barrett-Jackson 2009: 1966 Batmobile Re-Creation

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 1966 Batmobile Re-Creation

Perhaps the best-known vehicle ever to come out of the fertile mind of George Barris, otherwise known as the King of the Kustomizers, was the Batmobile, as seen on television screens around the country in the late '60s. This is not the original Batmobile, which was based on Lincoln concept car called the Futura, but it's as close as you're ever likely to see. Plus, it's been signed by nearly the entire cast of characters from the original Batman series, including the caped crusader himself, Adam West. The car was driven on stage carrying Yvonne Craig, the actress who played Batgirl on TV, and she promised to take the winning bidder to dinner. Everything works, including the rear-mounted parachutes, flashing lights, Bat Phone and Bat Scanner (well, maybe not those last two). Value? Priceless... or exactly $165,000.00, depending on who you ask. See the official Barrett-Jackson description after the break.

Gallery: Barrett-Jackson 2009: 1966 Batmobile Re-Creation

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2009: 1966 Batmobile Re-Creation

Barrett-Jackson 2009: 1966 Batmobile Re-Creation originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments