FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: machoneman on November 29, 2012, 08:11:22 PM
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http://money.cnn.com/video/pf/2012/11/29/pf-wheels-batmobile-sale-auction-batman-barris.cnnmoney/index.html?iid=GM
Just imagine it with a Cammer!
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That would be way, way cool all right. I wonder if Adam West and Burt Ward come with it ;D
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If I remember right the first Batmobile has Ford origins... A Lincoln maybe? If so an MEL engine probably already fits, so a Cammer might just drop in too :D
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FYI the first Batmobile was derived from the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car. George Barris converted it from Futura to Batmobile no. 1 in the space of 15 days or so I read... So my MEL theory holds! 8)
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Yes, it has a MEL engine as noted in other car magazines.
Funny though, I never knew until now that the Futura concept car (see video) formed the basis of the Batcar. Most other links merely stated that a Lincoln was used and I assumed (hah!) that a production line passenger car was used and cut up to look like the Futura. Silly me! Still, I wonder how/why Ford let the concept car go to Barris as this was and still is quite unusual.
Volo's well-known car museum in Volo, IL (they sell and trade too) has a copy of the Batcar on display. It's often on display outside right off Rte 12 about 1 block east of the actual museum. It's resting on a simple steel frame w/o an engine/trans etc. but it is a faithful fiberglass replica in darned good shape. Would be cool to outfit it with a modern SuperGas class chassis (flip-top like the old Comets) and race it!
http://volocars.com/
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Here's the link to the article on the SpeedTv website about the Batmobile "número UNO" and that Barrett-Jackson will auction it. So there's your chance guys! ;D
http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/vintage-the-original-batmobile-up-for-auction-at-barrett-jackson/
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I'm pretty sure it has an FE in it.
I remember seeing a old BW pic of the engine.
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Now for the definitive word on the Batmobile! Of course the car has its own website... http://www.1966batmobile.com/engine.jpg. I copied the link here on the engine which is said to be a "390 ci V8". In the picture it looks to be a 65 vintage (black and gold with the squarish valve covers) which would make sense given when it was put into service as the Batmobile. Other good trivia is the car's timeline which is also on the site. Enjoy!
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I've no doubt that the pic above does show "a Batmobile" with an FE.
However, there were at least 3 other complete running Batmobiles built after the 1st one, all by Barris and IIRC one by someone else much later. Then, as in my previous post, many copies were later pulled from the 2nd or 3rd car by a fiberglass body maker, rumored to be the old funny car body maker Fiberglass Trends Co. Many engineless copies on rolling frames (see Volo Auto Museum site) were made and shown at car shows. In fact, I remember seeing a Batmobile on the same weekend at two different car shows!
I did see pics of the 1st car long ago indicating a MEL was used in the Futura concept car while the Batcar was under construction. But it could have been a dummy engine (hey that's what show cars sometimes get) that later could have been switched to the more current late '64-early '65 FE design. Not a biggie in my book as it was rare to ever see the hood up. If the switch was made, it was likely due to more hp and easier parts availabilty. JMO.
http://www.1966batmobile.com/
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This is from that website so that pretty much says it.
(http://www.1966batmobile.com/engine.jpg)
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A photo collection of the original Batmobile from the SpeedTv website... Including photos of the Futura concept car; George Barris, the Batmobile's creator; and even Adam and Burt!
http://photos.speedtv.com/gallery/AUTOS_Origin_Of_Batmobile.
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Hey, that's the best yet collection of Batmobile pics!
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I could have sworn it was a 71 Buick Riviera , I had two GSs at one time.
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Holy Greenbacks! The Batmobile sold for $4.2 mil! http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/vintage-holy-bidding-the-batmobile-hits-42-million-at-barrett-jackson1. Hope you enjoy...
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Amazing what some of those famous cars can go for, although I guess that price doesn't really surprise me. I wonder how tough it would be to duplicate that car? You think there'd be a market for a kit car version of the Batmobile, starting with an old Lincoln and including a bunch of fiberglass parts, the windscreens, etc. Maybe we could get Crites to do it ;D
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I think the big price has a lot to do with what the car is. I am not sure that the demand for knock offs would justify reproducing them and there are not a while lot of early Lincolns on the road.
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I don't know. I think it would be pretty kool to drive around in the Batmobile!
And a FE to boot.
Me thinks Barris protected the car's image pretty well and now the grip has loosened and there may be a market for them.
There are lots of chassis that could be used and it does not have to be Futura based or "cough" even Ford based.
If I had more time and money and space, I could see one in a space.
Really a lot of car crap is just trying to out kool the next guy at the light's.
When your driving the BATMOBILE, the guy next to you is going to have a hard time one upping you. :P
Even Bond cars where never as kool as the Bat car.
Even my grandson plays with little plastic Batman toys and cars and stuff.
If I had a Batmobile he would be freaking out. LOL
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The younger generations are used to the new Bat Ride with automatic armor plate and such. What it is based off of? If anything as custom chassis and body's are common place at shows now.
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Another thought here - the Batmobile and the original Shelby Cobra Super-Snake are the two highest bid cars in the history of Barrett-Jackson and both are FE powered! Just a reminder of how deep the FE legacy is!
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Yes but.... if the red #1 1967 LeMans winning GT-40 Mark IV ever comes up for B-J bidding (and it likely won't as FoMoCo's Henry Ford Dearborn Museum owns it) the price would likely exceed 8-10 million! JMO.
http://www.supercars.net/cars/694.html
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I would think some of Elvis Presley's cars would bring a buck or two also.
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Well it looks like we can all get a Batmobile. ::)
http://www.fiberglassfreaks.com/joomla/index.php/home
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I like it! I want one ;D ;D
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Nanananana JAYMAN ;D ;D With that big jet exhaust
it would bee aproptiate to power it with a helicopter
turbine engine. Holy bumper melter Batman 8) ;D
Or the Swedish SK60 had two jet engines
about 50 inch long and 15-20 inch diameter
I dont remember what kind
of thrust they had but i think
one of them would give it some holy topspeed
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I would think some of Elvis Presley's cars would bring a buck or two also.
Here's one that BJ sold.
I remember watching this one on the show. Being a bit of a fan and all. ;)
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=1316&aid=53
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Surplus turbines are actually pretty easy to get, there are some garden tractor pullers using them in super modified class. Does it work? Yes would I do it no. But in a car it works great.
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I like it! I want one ;D ;D
Possible Drag Week candidate?
Start a new class. Superhero Daily Driver. :D
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Howie, those Fiberglass Freaks are amazing! Wow, which one would I pick; an original Batmobile or Lincoln Futura clone? 8). Never thought that Futura would be available again! But they need to get their heads right about the powerplants! FE or MEL only! Bruce
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Now that's a cool find! Had no idea a firm sold copies.
I agree, a jet turbine powerplant would really be cool in replicating the original sounds of the Batcar. Short of that, yes, that GM engine is a weird choice and an FE would be far better if more costly. Another idea (much harder to do and retain the car's lines) would be to plunk that body on a J-85 jet engine and tube chassis for drag racing!
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Hmmm 30 foot flames coming out the rear LOL wonder what SFI rating that would be.