Original 1966 Batmobile smashes auction record at $4.6m

The original 1966 Batmobile has crushed the world record for the Caped Crusader's car at auction, after selling at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale sale on Sunday (January 20).

Original Batmobile auction
Holy collectibles Batman! This example is one of the only Batmobiles that is actually road legal



The 19 foot long bubble car brought an impressive $4.6m to lead the sale, though the winning bidder wishes to remain anonymous - could it have been the real Bruce Wayne?

The final sale price far outstripped that of any other Batmobile, with the closest sale being the example made for Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever (1995), which sold for $297,000 in 2007 with the stipulation that it could only be driven for maintenance purposes.

Unlike the Batman Forever example, the original Batmobile is road legal and boasts a 1956 Lincoln V-8 engine and several gadgets, including Bat-ray projector and a Batphone.

Converted from a 1955 Lincoln Futura by the legendary customiser George Barris, the Batmobile starred in the original live action TV series, alongside Adam West and Burt Ward. After the show ended in 1968, it was put on display at Barris Kustom Industries, where it has remained since.

Prior to the auction, Craig Jackson of Barrett-Jackson commented: "The 1966 Batmobile by George Barris is one of the most famous Hollywood cars in history and it has become a true icon that has been carried from generation to generation of Batmobiles to follow.

"This vehicle not only marks the significant Bat logo that sits on the middle of its door, but a time in television history where they defied the odds of making a car the real star of the show. It revolutionised an entire industry that followed in its footsteps".

More stars of the screen were seen at Bonhams' Scottsdale auction, with the two 1941 Lincolns from The Godfather selling for a combined $121,000. Visit our Classic Cars news section for more of the latest results from Scottsdale.

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