Original Batmobile sells for $4.62 million dollars at Barrett-Jackson
By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos
Holy dollar-signs, Batman! The original Batmobile from the live-action Batman television show in the '60s went across the auction block at the annual Barrett-Jackson event in Scottsdale, AZ yesterday, and someone paid serious money for the one-off. In the end, $4.62 million dollars (before taxes and auction fees, of course) were needed to take the Batmobile home.
The car, based on the Lincoln Futura concept car and suitably 'Bat-ified' by legendary customizer George Barris, is completely original, and featured some crime-fighting features like a Bat phone, a Batcomputer, a Bat-turn system that uses functioning twin parachutes, and much more. Barris was reportedly on hand during the auction to help drum up even more interest in the sale.
Other big-buck sales at Barrett-Jackson included Clark Gable's 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe for $2,035,000; a 1947 Talbot-Lago T-26 Grand Sport for $2,035,000; a 1934 Duesenberg J Murphy LWB Custom Beverly Sedan at $1,430,000; the 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept Convertible for $1,375,000 and a super-rare 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible at $1,320,000.
Would you pay nearly five-million dollars for a Batmobile? Or any other vehicle made famous by movies or television?
Justin Couture
Mark Atkinson
John LeBlanc
Posted by: 655Hemi | 2013-01-22 11:09:45 AM
Barris built 6 Batmobiles. There were at least 5 copies more were built during the TV run. Two copies were built in Canada (one at Boothill Restos) and no one knows how many copies were built in the US. I wonder which one this is?
$4.62 M is a lot of money for a copy of any automobile. George must be laughing now. LOL!!!!!!!
Posted by: warp9mrsulu | 2013-01-22 10:33:20 PM
I once drove a 'cuda 440 6pack 4 speed supershift.
try to hold onto that once you get spiining.It was outrageous!!
Posted by: 655Hemi | 2013-01-24 2:36:02 PM
Mr. SULU!!!!
I'm sure you did. wink -wink.
I owned a '70 Cuda 440-6 pack in 1970. I own it's twin today. I never knew they had a "4 speed supershift" option. NOT!!!! You must be another one of the ""car experts" that hang around here.
And the idea is not to spin the tires because loss of traction is dumb.