"Original" Batmobile Awaits Auction Hammer

"Original" Batmobile
(Image: topgear.com)

For decades, I have lived with the assumption that the original Batmobile was the vehicle that appeared on the Batman TV series. However, thanks to a piece in topgear.com (a jazzed up version was posted on the BBC news website), the scales have fallen from my eyes. It turns out that Forrest Robinson created the first "official" Batmobile. The means of determining the "official" accreditation was not explored, but let's not quibble. The Caped Crusader's means of transportation offers much more fun than some bureaucratic attribution.

The car's details, including its powerful engine and other curious features, are noted in topgear.com's story. The article notes that the bidding for this version of the Batmobile starts at $90K. I don't know if the vehicle runs on unleaded gas or how one registers the car with the appropriate state authorities. I do suspect the new owner will have a ball with his or his automobile insurer.

Original Batmobile Auctioned for Four-Plus Million Dollars

Original Batmobile, with its creator George Barris
(photo: Motor Trend)

My wife knew someone who owned a Batmobile replica. He drove the vehicle around northern New Jersey and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He was frequently stopped by law enforcement. They were disappointed when the vehicle's driver was not in a Batman costume, and when he didn't violate any speed limits.

However, the replica was not the real thing. The original Batmobile was recently auctioned to a Phoenix collector for over four-and-a-half million dollars. According to a report in today's online edition of the Chicago Tribune, the Batmobile's new owner plans to keep -- BOP! -- the famous ride -- ZAP! -- in his living room -- OOF!

As Robin might have said to his caped colleague, "Holy One Percent, Batman!"