Cars featured in motion pictures like the DeLorean from Back To The Future, the Trans Am From Smokey And The Bandit, or the Ferrari Spyder California from Ferris Bueller's Day Off are now considered legends in Hollywood history.
Because of their roles in these iconic film franchises, collectors and enthusiasts want to experience a part of those movies by building replicas of some of the most famous cars.
One of the most popular replicas is the Batmobile from Tim's Burton's 1989 film Batman. The real Batmobile from the 1989 motion picture features a Chevrolet Impala engine and chassis under a custom body.
Mecum Auctions is selling an incredibly engineered replica of the Batmobile from the 1989 film. Although this replica is not a Chevy Impala based platform, it does take from one of General Motors' other brands Cadillac in form of a 1976 El Dorado.
This is not the first time someone tried to build their own Batmobile but it is one of the nicer examples of the Dark Knight's main mode of transportation.
Not Your Average Batmobile Replica
When building movie car replicas, sometimes owners remove features to save time and money. However, this Batmobile replica has some surprising additions. It features creature comforts like power steering, air conditioning, and an automatic transmission. It also includes a backup camera, air ride suspension, and a full bomber dash cockpit.
The canopy and weapons also work via remote control as well giving it a much more authentic feel to the movie.
Even though the engine in the El Dorado only makes around 240 bhp, the engine sounds fantastic. It makes a classic American muscle sound that is fitting for the Batmobile. Considering the original Batmobile from the movie features a Chevy Impala engine, the builder of this replica was not far off.
If you're interested you can purchase this replica or it can give you the inspiration to build your own Batmobile.
The Real Batmobile From The Film
Cars in movies are often destroyed or put into a museum, but the original Batmobile from the movie may actually be out in the wild. According to YouTube Channel Rock N Roll True Stories, MTV ran a contest in 1989 to give away one of the Batmobiles used in the movie.
While the Batmobile in the contest was apparently just a replica, it had the same custom bodywork and Impala chassis as the actual car in the movie. The only thing that was missing was the engine. Unfortunately, the winner sold the car in 2003 to cover back taxes from the prize winnings.
If you're lucky and have the funds, you may be able to purchase and drive the real deal. With Michael Keaton returning to his famous Batman role in The Flash movie coming later this year, now might be a good time to get into a replica or, potentially, the real thing.