Batman hasn’t always been dark and moody. There was a time when he was a little more… flamboyant.
These were his wheels from that more festive era; the Lincoln Futura-based, George Barris-designed 1966 Batmobile, and now you can build one too.
Flickr’s Orion Pax has recreated the ’60s television icon brilliantly and he’s released building instructions for his ’66 Batmobile model alongside the stunning imagery. Head to Orion’s photostream via the link above or visit his website here to see more and build your own!
Some vehicles are metaphorically coffins-on-wheels (this, this and this for example), but today we can go one better! Designed by Hot Rod building legend George Barris, this amazing machine is the Dragula, as constructed for the 1960s TV comedy ‘The Munsters’. This marvellous Model Team recreation of the scary sportster is the work of Tim Inman (aka rabidnovaracer), and comes complete with side-stack exhausts, lantern head and tail lights, and Grandpa Munster himself. Head over to Tim’s photostream via the link above for a spooky good time.
Kapow!! Batman wasn’t always dark and moody. There was a time when he was kitsch, flamboyant, and – let’s face it – more than a little bit camp, and this was certainly reflected in his choice of wheels.
Built by hot rodding legend George Barris the outlandish 1966 Batmobile was based on the 1955 Ford Futura concept car that Barris bought from the Ford Motor Company for the nominal sum of $1. In just three weeks he turned the old concept into what would become one of the most famous TV vehicles of all time, complete with turbo-electric drive (whatever that is), a Bat-scope (ditto), a mobile phone, reverse rocket thrusters, and a remote tracking system.
Flickr’s Ralph Savelsberg hasn’t managed to built that lot, but his Lego recreation of Barris’ masterpiece pays tribute to the Dark Knight’s gaudier days in superb style. You can see more of Ralph’s brilliant replica of the 1966 Batmobile, complete with Batman and Robin figures, over at his photostream – click the link above to light the Bat Signal.
TLCB opens the batting in 2016 with a suggestion from one of our readers. Found on his Facebook page, Crowkillers has returned with a tribute to the late George Barris, one of the greatest custom car designers of all time, who sadly passed away in November of last year.
Barris was a pioneer of the hot rod scene and created some of television’s most famous and outlandish vehicles, including the Munster Koach, and the Batmobile.
Crowkillers’ Technic homage is nearly as crazy as George’s best works, and features two supercharged V8 engines, a four-speed gearbox, working steering and suspension, a deployable wheelie-bar, and opening scissor doors.
You can see all the images of Crowkillers’ latest build on Brickshelf, and you can read our interview with him in the Master MOCers Series by clicking here.
