Comments about this vehicle

Author	Message
ArnaultL ◊ 2006-01-02 18:31	the last "Batmobile", is a full "original" car, with an C6 Corvette engine, fit on tubular chassis, with many other parts from other cars (transaxle, axle, ...), and "home made" parts to link all of this parts. Obviously, many false cars are used for scenes. But on other scènes, it's a self-running car, with engine, steering, driver, and others stuffs. The source : article on "Nitro magazine", about the "new" Batmobile. Hope many people can understand my poor description -- Last edit: 2006-01-02 18:33:04
Junkman ◊ 2006-01-08 02:35	These Batmobiles (yes, there is more than one) were built in England off the stretched-out platforms of a Chevrolet Caprice and a Buick Riviera, which were literally scrounged from a scrapyard. The cars were fully driveable and used in the two Batman films directed by Tim Burton.
ben68 ◊ 2006-01-08 19:04	Batmobile history: http://www.batmobilehistory.com/ Some interesting info on Batmobile toys : http://www.spencer1984.com/index.php Unfortunately, nothing I could find concerning what could have been the chassis or engine make of the 1989 Batmobile.
Jaqob P. ◊ 2006-01-12 16:58	The batmobile is an electronic wizard that is filled with gadgets, electronics, computers and calculators. It is voice-controlled with an interior that features contoured seats, aircraft instrumentation and a weapon system that includes two Browning submachine guns. A Jet turbine engine delivers 1,5000 lbs. of thrust which powers this sesational creation from 0 to 60 MPH in less than 3.7 seconds. Engine Type: Jet Turbine Thrust: 1500 lbs. at 103% ROS Torque: 1750 lbs./ft. at 98.7% ROS 0 to 60 MPH: 3.7 sec, Top Speed: Unknown Brake Rating: Excellent Wheelbase: 141.0 in. Length: 260.7 in. Width: 94.4 in. Height: 51.2 in. Wheels: Cast alloy, 15 x 6.5 Tires: High aspect L60-15 Fuel Requirement: High octane 97% special -- Last edit: 2010-01-05 19:50:14 (G-MANN)
Lexx ◊ 2006-01-20 15:51	From the batmobilehistory page linked above: Anton Furst was hired as production designer for Gotham City and the Batmobile spliced together two Impala chassis, and the car was powered by a Chevy V8.
philr ◊ 2006-02-03 08:14	GM used this car in their TV ads in Canada back in the early nineties (and identified it as a GM product!).
geekmetal ◊ 2008-07-14 08:48	Popular science or Popular Mechanics(can't remember which) had an article about this car back in 1990 and it said the Frame was a 1969 Impala.. it was widened by 6" and stretched 20"
jessenypr ◊ 2009-04-10 22:28	this car is up for auction at Barrett-jackson Palm Beach 2009 Today (lot # 663) Listed as a Buick
G-MANN ◊ 2010-01-05 20:45	Gadgets: Side-firing grappling hook: Cocoon-like shield: Voice-activated remote control: Browning machine guns: Grenades: On the special edition DVD there's a featurette about the Batmobile. It was designed by Production Designer Anton Furst and built by the production team in 14 weeks. So definetely "Made for Movie". I think they said the chassis was taken from some car and modified and they built a fibreglass body to put over it. The engine was from an Chevrolet Impala (according to one of the old crew memebers interviewed) and it had other parts taken from real vehicles including petrol caps from a London Bus, taillights provided by Ferrari and the headlights were from a Honda Civic, turned upside down and painted yellow. On the test track it managed to do 90mph before it started to shake. -- Last edit: 2012-02-07 16:36:13
starcarcentral.com ◊ 2010-06-03 19:11	www.starcarcentral.com and www.chicksdigthecar.com for more info on the original and working street legal versions. In the first Keaton movie, the batmobile was wider than the cars made for the second movie Batman Returns. Several cars were built on various donor frames. There are now a few working street legal replicas around the world.
aussiemuscle308 ◊ 2011-02-02 01:58	Junkman wrote These Batmobiles (yes, there is more than one) were built in England i thought they were built in the USA and shipped to England. they had problems fitting them into shipping containers.
demetrie ◊ 2011-03-22 11:56	From the Joker(played by Jack Nicolson):"Where does he get those wonderful toys?" -- Last edit: 2011-03-22 11:58:19
Mr A89 ◊ 2011-07-21 16:39	Two cars were built for the movie by John Evans and his SFX team at Pinewood. Both cars were finished in 14 weeks. Later on after the movie had been filmed both cars were taken to the USA and Japan on tour to promote the film. Later on when Batman Returns was being filmed, a body was moulded and 4" cut off each rear wheel arch. This was supposedly to transport the car more easily on a trailer and where the majority of the replica cars come from. SFX engineer Andy Smith accompanied this car to explain the operation of the various gadgets. The #1 'Hero' car was based on a single Chevrolet Impala chassis cut and stretched to a 141" wheel base. This is from Andy Smith.. "I took the two cars over there for the second film, went through them mechanically, showed the FX guys how all the stuff worked and then left them to it. I don't know if you recall a TV series called Dempsey and Makepeace, but in one of the episodes they jump a big pink Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible, this is actually the basis for car #2. We found out, well into the build that the rear of the chassis was twisted, so the rear of this car was replaced with one from an ambulance the vehicle guys had lying around. Hence there are no formed chassis extensions in this car, as there are in #1. Oh how different things would be when we made the Tumbler!" -- Last edit: 2021-04-17 10:27:53
Mr A89 ◊ 2011-07-21 16:42	Andy Smith also worked on the Tumbler for Batman Begins/Dark Knight -- Last edit: 2021-04-17 10:28:13
130rapid ◊ 2011-07-21 18:14	Thumbrial, please!
antp ◊ 2011-07-22 16:34	Thumbrial? A mix of thumbnail and tumbler?
CRAFT372 ◊ 2011-08-07 18:44	Here is a video of the making of this freaking epic car enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJq2NqzhHyE&feature=related -- Last edit: 2017-10-09 07:37:45
Jimmy MuscleCar ◊ 2012-04-14 21:02	Beautiful.
Arnie944 ◊ 2013-04-04 23:07	My name is Alan Sparrowhawk and I was one of the people who made the Batmobile in the Michael Keaton film 1989.It was made in Battersea London.
Arnie944 ◊ 2013-04-05 18:28	Mr A89 the Batmobile S were not built at Pinewood studios,They were built at Protocol Mouldings in Battersea.Owned by a gentleman called Jack Lovell I know this because u was employed by him and also helped in making the Batmobile.Yes two cars were made.
ChristianCav ◊ 2013-05-13 11:07	Arnie944 - Hi My name is Christian and my father purchased a Batman Car made by Jack Lovell at Protocol Mouldings which he still owns. It is approx 9ft long and has a Honda 2 stroke engine and still in working condition. I believe he also made a larger version as a prop for the movie. Jack had a newspaper article at the time which he kept in his portfolio. I was wondering if you worked on this car, if you know what newspaper it was in, or could tell us a little more about it's background. Jack told us it was used in the film and we would love to know more. Regards ChristianCav
Lovell ◊ 2013-08-18 23:50	I am the widow of John Lovell who built the original 1989 batmobile in the family workshop in Battersea and have been reading your posts with interest. Where are all these comments coming from. Very few people know the true facts and they were the ones working at Protocol Mouldings at the time.
sergione6 ◊ 2013-12-10 12:56	hello me interested contact lovell for some information, me have one batmobile produced by protocoll mouldings reduced version motorized honda. how many models were produced in this version? what was the price originally?
ChristianCav ◊ 2014-06-03 17:14	Hi Mrs Lovell, I checked for a while to see if there was any response but didn't see any and gave up. I just looked again out of interest and saw your comment. My father actually visited your house once to see if he could look again at the newspaper clippings you had which featured the car he bought. We have tried to search for the article but he couldn't remember which paper it was featured in. He does know where you live but hasn't wanted to impose or scare you in case you didn't remember him. He would dearly love to speak with you about it. if you email me your contact details to christiancavanagh@hotmail.co.uk I will get him to give you a call. Just so you know, it is in a good home and well looked after. although my name suggests I am a man I am actually a 40 year old lady! I have a son called who is 2 and who is next in line to drive the Batmobile! (my sisters three children have all driven it but are now grown up). I look forward to hearing from you. Kind Regards, Mrs Christian Cavanagh
Gamer ◊ 2014-06-03 17:15	Sorry, but I just can't resist: who calls his/her son "who is 2" anyway? -- Last edit: 2014-06-04 18:09:01
ChristianCav ◊ 2014-06-03 17:36	haha I missed his name- its Charles - who is 2!
Gamer ◊ 2014-06-03 19:39	Sorry, but I got you mixed up with a person who used to spam the site with random things. So yeah, that stuff you wrote isn't bullsh*t. -- Last edit: 2014-06-03 19:58:59
rockstarnorth225 ◊ 2014-06-03 19:40	Gamer wrote Sorry, but I got you mixed up with a person who used to spam the site with random things. So yeah, that stuff you wrote isn't bullshit. Please watch your language we are not on YouTube. -- Last edit: 2014-06-03 19:40:19
JB ◊ 2015-04-03 13:51	Origin: USA.
CRAFT372 ◊ 2016-01-19 17:26	https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhuYwq2xC45XmCmqZ8wbdJC2CSijtixGB
michail2003 ◊ 2016-07-12 08:35	http://www.batmobilehistory.com/index.php
Skid ◊ 2016-09-07 03:27	Mr A89 wrote I don't know if you recall a TV series called Dempsey and Makepeace, but in one of the episodes they jump a big pink Oldsmobile Cutlass convertable, this is actually the basis for car #2. Not a Cutlass and it doesn't appear to be pink, but I'm assuming this is the car referenced, since it's the only Oldsmobile convertible I'm aware of from that series: /vehicle_288382-Oldsmobile-Delta-88-Royale-1975.html
Arnie944 ◊ 2017-01-26 16:58	Hi Christian,after making the Batmobile Jack made two smaller versions of the Batmobile.Yes I helped to make them.He put one in the Evening Standard for a competition and the other went to beauleigh in a showroom.
Arnie944 ◊ 2017-01-26 17:02	Mr A89 there is a picture above,its the pattern from which a mould was made. In this picture is my Dad and a gentleman called Bob.Funny I didn't know pinewood studio's was in or near Battersea.
tommyt1971 ◊ 2018-07-17 18:20	Around the time the movie was released, MTV ran a contest where the winner would receive one of the cars with the engine removed. The winner would also get $25,000, probably enough to have someone drop an engine in it! Made my mouth water when I heard about it!
train68 ◊ 2018-08-09 16:07	Of all the Batmobile designs, this is my most favorite.
BatDetective ◊ 2018-09-16 20:53	I wonder if anyone can tell me the names of the original build team of the 1989 Batmobile in this picture. I think John Evans is on the fender. Please name the men behind him from front to back and then the men beside them in the same order. I found their names arranged from Left to Right: Kevin Drayoott, Digby Milner, Barry Whitrod, and Andy Smith. So, I think Kevin and Barry are behind John, and Digby and Andy are in the next row. If the order is incorrect, please let me know. There is also this photograph. I would appreciate it if anyone can tell me who the guys are in the Left row front to back and who is in the row on the right front to back. Through my research, I know that Eddie Butler and Keith Short worked on a full size scale model made of polystyrene. I have these images on my Pinterest page, so it would be nice to give credit to these men who actually built my favorite Batmobile. They did a truly astounding job in the 12-14 weeks they had to work with! Thanks!
Arnie944 ◊ 2019-10-05 12:03	what picture
Arnie944 ◊ 2019-10-05 12:10	The body work was made by protocol mouldings. Alan Sparrowhawk jack and John Lovell Steven Bacon/ Bob Percy
BatDetective ◊ 2020-05-06 22:14	Thank you for your response Arnie944. I was beginning to lose hope of anyone returning to this post.
BatDetective ◊ 2020-05-06 22:35	geekmetal, You are thinking of the October '89 issue of Popular Mechanics: -- Last edit: 2020-05-12 03:00:06
Fluttershy ◊ 2020-07-21 09:53	Junkman wrote These Batmobiles (yes, there is more than one) were built in England off the stretched-out platforms of a Chevrolet Caprice and a Buick Riviera, which were literally scrounged from a scrapyard. The cars were fully driveable and used in the two Batman films directed by Tim Burton. Actually it was Built on an Impala Chassis
Mr A89 ◊ 2021-04-17 09:57	Thank you to all who are contributing, especially Mrs Lovell. This is what I have found out after years of research, but please feel free to correct me if I have any details wrong. The two movie cars (#1 built using a Chevvy Impala and #2 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale) were put together by John Evans and his special effects team (Andy Smith, Kevin Draycott, Barry (Badger) Whitrod, Mick Dunleavy & others (more details needed). The car was primarily designed by Anton Furst, however Terry Ackland-Snow and several others also had an influence (need more details here). The body shape was carved out of foam by Keith Short and Eddie Butler. The final moulding was done by John and Jack Lovell's company called Protocol mouldings. A guy called Mike Shaw supplied some of the aircraft parts used (the Vulcan emergency generator, Bristol Viper jet tail and all the side parts, which I believe were from a RR Olympus). Skid is correct that Andy Smith got some details wrong, however it was over 20 years later when he supplied me with the information. The #2 car is almost certainly this one... The vehicle details for HKM 260Y are: Date of Liability 01 05 1986 Date of First Registration 23 05 1983 Year of Manufacture 1975 Cylinder Capacity (cc) 7459CC CO2 Emissions Not Available Fuel Type Petrol Export Marker Not Applicable Vehicle Status Unlicensed Vehicle Colour YELLOW Vehicle Type Approval Again quoted from Andy Smith regarding the difference between the 89 and 92 cars. "I have no idea what the 92 car was. I know we sent a spare set of bodywork to the States and a car was built there. It turned up when we were working on the other cars, it was gloss black and had been narrowed to fit in a trailer, fitted with hydraulic front suspension and no interior to speak of. The Warner's Execs took one look and it went back in the trailer and we never saw it again. All the moulds went to the States so who knows what was made. I took the two cars over there for the second film, went through them mechanically, showed the FX guys how all the stuff worked and then left them to it." -- Last edit: 2021-04-17 11:20:55

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1989 Made for Movie Batmobile

1989 Made for Movie Batmobile in Batman, Movie, 1989

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