After starting out as a humble comic book, Batman has since gone on to inspire the creation of a TV show and countless movies, which are quite literally ingrained in pop culture at this point. As such, a legion of fans have created their own replicas and tributes to Batman’s famous ride – the Batmobile – in every form that it has existed in over the years, too. However, it isn’t every day that we see a real, authentic Batmobile go up for auction, though that will be the case very soon.
The Batmobile seen here comes from the collection of pop-culture collector Dr. Stewart Berkowitz, and it’s the very first one he acquired as part of his 53-car collection set to be sold at Barrett-Jackson’s upcoming Scottsdale auction. It’s also Batmobile No. 3, an actual car used in the 1966 television series that’s based on a Ford Galaxie created by George Barris, and it was also used in Batman: The Movie, which hit big screens that very same year. As Berkowitz’s son points out, this Batmobile is the crown jewel of the collection, and always held a special place in his father’s heart.
“The original ‘Batman’ series was kind of hokey and lighthearted, compared to the versions that have come out in more recent years,” Jordan Berkowitz said. “My dad was that way – he was very funny, very lighthearted, and a little corny. My dad was very thorough in everything he did. Having bought the Batmobile from a private party, he got in touch with George Barris and invited him to come out to his house in New Jersey to look at the car and authenticate it.” While Barris was visiting, he signed the Batmobile, gave it a certificate of authenticity, and took photos with his dad.
Now, this cool piece of history is looking for a new home with no reserve price, presenting Batman fans with an opportunity that doesn’t exactly come along very often. We’ve certainly seen our fair share of replicas and tributes over the years – including a 1978 Lincoln Continental, and a 1979 Continental-based Batmobile – but rarely ever does the real thing come up for sale.
Comments
WOW !!! THis vehicle will bring big $$$$
If it is a ‘66 Galaxie, it is NOT the original. The TV Batmobile was a converted Lincoln Futura concept car from the 1950s. I believe that Ford sold the car to George Barris for a dollar, and he did the conversion. There have been numerous replicas, but the original was derived from the Futura.
Read the article. This was Batmobile #3, not the first one based on the Lincoln concept car.
Read the article. This was Batmobile #3, not the original Lincoln concept car.
Bruce Holber, you spoke for 1000 years
Maybe that is why it is called Batmobile #3.
Batman car futura 1955
Please get those cheap-ass chrome wheels off the “Batmobile” What an insult!!! Batmobile has always been my dream car since childhood, it deserves to have the correct wheel, don’t you think?
This was a promotional car built by Barris and once owned by Walsh trucking from New Jersey. There were no back windows
in it at the time when it was sold. Stewart had the back windows put in . But it’s a nice car.