50's Batmobile... Kustom, yank or Gimick

This topic came up on the UK NSRA forum. It didn't go down that well over there but I thought it would make a good discussion over here so I've brought it over.

Original thread is here for anyone who wants to see the UK opinion

The UK NSRA isn't a strict pre '49, the ideal is that but the scene isn't as big as in the US, so generally shows have classic Yanks as well as hotrod tin, Ghostbusters sometimes turn up in the wrong Caddy ambulance etc.

Take it away boys...

 

Not a stock car as such, the Futura was a factory show or 'dream car.'

 

Well, on topic, the cars mentioned are indeed part of the custom culture. My favorite was "Dragula" from the Munsters, and while the car was certainly cool it was the episode where it 1st appeared that really gets it. Drag racing was still an evil social practice to many, organized or not, and it brought to prime time the visuals and sounds that made fuel dragsters real. Funny how even today drag racing has no regular coverage in the rest of sports news unless someone dies, with the exception of Bernstiens 300mph passes. This is just one small example of how "our world" crosses over to the mainstream.

 

Not joining the queue for replica Futura's or Batmobiles,
a genuine road going turbine powered car would be cool,
but the thing that the camp Mr West drove in the TV series is not for me.

Often thought about building a Dragula or even a Druid Princess.
but no not a batmobile.
Perhapes if I were still fourteen years of age ?

 

While I greatly admired the original Batmobile as a true piece of Barris metalworking art when it was introduced I took it for what it was, an entertainment industry project. Muscle cars had replaced custom cars by the mid-sixties and George Barris who had always enjoyed patronage from a few movie stars was just trying to survive by doing specialty vehicles for promotions by the producers.

Imitation may be flattery but I for one would not want to own a Batmobile clone.

 

Some mis Information here.

Do some searches on the HAMB about Ghia, Futura, Cushenberry, Etc...

 

I'd drive the Lincoln Futura version.
(Barris didn't do much to change it from the Futura to the Batmobile...).

 

I wouldn't build a clone.

But I would rock the Batmobile in a fucking SECOND!

George let me sit in it once at his place on riverside in SFV, despite the fact that he didn't know me at all.

 

I wouldn't mind a Clone.

But only if I could recreate the Chrome Bumpers, and the trim that follows the lines around the side.





Painting them like this, looks cheap and unfinished to me.




The Futura was at the time one of the most expensive Detroit Concept Cars.

But it got fucked up to be a prop in a TV Series.

If there is one car that deserves to be brought back to its former glory, its this one.

And then build all the clones of the Badmobile you like...

 

Oops... Freudian slip..

But yeah, its pretty bad.

Its almost as much of an act of Automotive Vandalism as what happened to the Chrisman Coupe, IMO.



But at least on that one, the Damage was undone.

 

I should clarify. I wouldn't clone the Batmobile. The Futura is defnitely more visually appealing, and even though they messed up a great one of a kind concept car, it in turn became an Icon. There are a million ways to make The Batmobile prettier or whatever, but thats not how it is. it may just be the little kid in me illogically taking the side of the Batmobile on this one.

 

Here's a Futura clone from Chicago. I think it's for sale.

 

Odd to say re-looking at the Futura and the batmobile,
and the way Barris' team extended the rear fins forward into the door tops which smooths the line of the car, and ditched a pile of tacky chrome trim, added the central roof bar and made the grill into more of a face, I actually prefer what Barris did to the Futura he started with, I think he and his crew did a great job of improving the lines of the car, but I still don't want one.
( though if there was a nice simple way of hooking a 250 Allison up in the back there I might be more intrestted )

 

I looked at a web-site dedicated to the Batmobile. It seems that Barris has licensing rights to the Batmobile. Some poor guy built a duplicate and entered it into a carshow. Someone notified Barris and Barris was able to obtain the clone. A guy in my area build a clone kit and brought it out for coffee. I asked him how he was able to keep Barris from seizing his car. He said that there were somethings he had to do to keep it from being an exact clone, like not using the "Bat" spinners and logo and such...

 

I no a guy who owns one of the original batmobiles like this, he payed like 280,000 for it 2 years ago. Keeps it at his car was on LI for all to see.

 

Yep....that was a hard pill to swallow...thank GOD it was restored to it's former, beautiful, bronze self!

The Badmobile has time going for it, in that, it has great kitsch-appeal, but the original car was an absolute stunner. I'm with you, some resto-nut needs to bring this one back from the dead!!!!

 

Barrris is only as good as the people that work for him( Dick Dean)
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I haven&#8217;t seen one car in the last 10 years that his shop turned out except
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A two headed mini cooper that looked hideous and a restoration of the monkeys car
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That was also a disgrace to custom cars as we know it (the addition of tvs and base boxes) there are plenty of good custom builders out there he just needs to hire them
Steel there ideas put his name on them. like old days

 

If that's true , George must be kind of a dick!

 

Its too soon...

The resto-nuts of today were the kids that watched the Show.

But in time they will be replaced by the next generation, and the generation after that.

There is hope for the Futura yet...

 

Thats freakin sweet! I would drive that. how much did they want?

 

I knew him pretty well a few years back, and he really could be a prick.

 

I for one LOOOOVE the Batmobile!!!!!
My wife says a little too much.

 

Last summer at the Weekly Rum River Cruise night in Anoka, Minn someone had a "Batmobile". It sure looked like the real thing. Very detailed. If it was a clone is was a darn good one. I thought it looked pretty cool. Well done paint. It was pretty wild when the owner drove away. I think people would freak out on the road. LOOK!! The Batmobile!!! 'Sept Batman looks like a clerk at 7-11.
They built more than one Batmobile for the show circuit in the late 60's or 70's. Some of them had black flocking that looked like crap. There could be more than one replica out there on the roads.

 

some of the clones,ummmmmmm...don't turn out so well

 

Wass rong wiff it?

 

Wrong color for a start,
Batfink's 'Batillac' was pink.

 

I just skimmed this post but all I gotta say is hey to anyone it applies:

Quit raggin on Barris ya punks!!

 

both are great futura or batmobile

 

History is what it is...

I dont see whats wrong with giving credit ( or blame ) where is due.

 

If you are interested in that futura clone go herer and ask for elvis hes selling it.
http://www.thechicagotoystore.com/detail-1955-lincoln-futura_concept-reproduction-3748531.html