The Batmobile

The Show:  Batman
The Cast:  Adam West, Burt Ward
Number Of Episodes: 120
Years It Aired: 1966 to 1968

"Quick! To the Batmobile!" — Batman

Although short-lived, this campy series based on the comic book hero remains a cult favorite, four decades after its much-hyped television debut in January 1966. Millionaire Bruce Wayne (Adam West) can afford the most futuristic technology for his secret crime-fighting hobby as Batman. He zooms around Gotham City in the fearsome Batmobile, thwarting colorfully insane evildoers like the Joker and the Penguin. His sidekick Robin (Burt Ward) rides along in the passenger seat, supplying exclamations and nickels for the parking meter. (Robin: "No policeman's going to give the Batmobile a ticket." Batman: "This money goes to building better roads. We all must do our part.")

Their distinctive car -- black with bright red trim -- has bubble windshields and bat-like design details, such as the extra-large rear tailfins or "wings." It comes loaded with special features befitting of a superhero — everything from an anti-theft device to a portable one-person helicopter (called the Whirlybat) in the trunk. In addition to its powerful V-8 engine, this car has rocket boosters for extra speed.

The Batmobile is arguably Barris' most famous creation. He made the car in only three weeks by revamping a 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car. He overhauled the front and rear to make the shape more evocative of a bat, with his altered version of the Futura's menacing grille serving as the mouth. The Futura kept its basic proportions, remaining long (205 inches), wide (84 inches), and low (48 inches). Although in modified form, two of its most distinctive features also remained — twin Plexiglas domes for driver and passenger and large tailfins canted outward.

The design of the Futura is credited to Lincoln Mercury stylist Bill Schmidt, who was said to be going for a shark-like appearance.

At a cost of $250,000, Ghia Body Works in Italy built a single working prototype of the Futura and painted it white. The model got a lot of attention on the auto show circuit in 1955. But it was the Futura's reincarnation as the Batmobile that bestowed it with lasting fame.

The Special Features Available On The Batmobile

• Bulletproofing for the bubble windshields and armor for the body
• Assorted weapons, including internally mounted rockets (concealed behind the grille)
• Emergency Bat-turn lever (a red handle that, with one pull, executes 360-degree turns with help from twin nylon parachutes released from the rear)
• Remote-control capabilities
• Car phone
• Theft-control system that flashes warning lights and shoots colored rockets into the sky
• Anti-fire system with swiveling nozzles that can extinguish flames anywhere in the vehicle
• Hydraulically operated steel chain
• Cable-cutting device
• Laser beams
• Assorted electronic gadgets, such as the Detect-a-scope, which can be used to determine the location of Batman or Robin
• Handheld fire extinguisher mounted between the bucket seats
• Safety roll bar centered between the two bubble tops
• Flashing police beacon atop the roll bar
• Safety belts (!)

The Batmobile has been modernized for a series of big-budget Batman movies in recent years, with the latest incarnation in  theaters now. But the one from the television series continues to be a fan favorite.

Photo courtesy of Barris.com

Published 7/1/2005