Vehicle Description
THE BATMOBILE is well-known the world over.One of the most FAMOUS
cars of all time, THE BATMOBILE is well-known the world over.
Originally built in Turin, Italy for the Ford Motor company, the
1955 Lincoln "Futura" was constructed as a concept car for the auto
show circuit. It featured an impressive array of special features
and gadgets, most notably enclosed separate "bubble" compartments
for the passenger and driver and "gull-wing" doors. It was
originally painted metallic green with simulated "Fish scale"
airbrush work to enhance its "Submarine car" design.After its time
on the show circuit, it was acquired by Warner Brothers studios and
was repainted red for the 1959 film "It Started with a Kiss"
starring Glen Ford and Debbie Reynolds (The future mom of Princess
Leia of Star Wars fame) Following the film, the car remained on the
lot at what was then Desilu Studios, run by Desi Arnez and Lucille
Ball whom had just acquired a production company called Greenway
that was tasked with the production of a live action black and
white television version of the comic strip "Batman".The Futura was
given to George Barris and converted into the BATMOBILE, by
removing the center "bubbles" and gull-wing doors, adding a bat
face, rocket tubes, bat hubs, jet turbine engine and a barrage of
gadgets....with one noticeable missing feature. When the Batmobile
arrived for filming, the black and white cameras and televisions of
the time rendered the car as little more than a black "blob" on
screen. Barris was tasked with outlining the edges of the car in
white paint in order for the shape of the car to be more
recognizable. No sooner was this done when the studio decided to
put a bit more money into the Batman project and the decision was
made to shoot the series in COLOR! The Batmobile went BACK to the
Barris' paint shop for a quick coat of red paint on the stripes,
making the edges appear to actually be orange. And a color
controversy began that would last to this day.Following the success
of the Batman TV Series, a film was made in 1966 and several more
Batmobiles were produced in fiberglass for the film.Please note:
This is a static display vehicle. It is a complete body but would
need a frame and drivetrain. Exterior: Black ***THIS VEHICLE IS
LOCATED AT THE BRANSON CELEBRITY CAR MUSEUM, 1600 MO-76, Branson,
MO 65616***
