The 3 Barris Replicas and more...

Batmobile #	The original #1	#2	#3	#4
Photo
Information	The #1 page	The #2 replica page	The #3 replica page	The #4 replica page
Date built	October 1965	November 1966	November 1966	November 1966
Builder	Barris Kustom City	Barris Kustom City	Barris Kustom City	Barris Kustom City
Construction	Steel	Fiberglass	Fiberglass	Fiberglass
Chassis	1955 Lincoln Futura concept car	1965-1966 Ford Galaxie	1966 Ford Galaxie 7-Litre	1965-66 Ford Galaxie
Engine	390ci V-8	390ci V-8	352ci V-8 (original)	428ci V-8
Transmission	Auto on the floor	Auto on the floor	Originally a manual 4spd & changed to a C-4 automatic	Auto on the floor
Weight	5500 lb	3800 lb	3800 lb	3800 lb
Reason created	Batman TV show	Exhibition/Touring	Exhibition/Touring	Exhibition/Touring
Unique feature	Originally built in 1954	Last replica that was owned by Barris	Was missing its rear canopy for years	Seen on the Batman TV show in '67
Hood	Opens near canopy area	Tilt-up front end	Tilt-up front end	Tilt-up front end
Trunk	Yes	None	Yes	None
Interior details	Roll top dash	Padded dash/sparse int.	Padded dash/sparse int.	Padded dash/sparse int.
Steering Wheel	Currently, a modified 1958 Edsel	1958 Edsel	A modified 1958 Edsel	1958 Edsel
Exterior door handles	Yes	None	Yes, but non-operational	Yes, but non-operational
Headlights	Yes	None	Yes	None
Canopy Trim	Chrome	Black	Black	Black
Beacon Cage design	Conical Shaped with 12 vertical slats	Cylindrical with 8 vertical slats	Cylindrical with 12 vertical slats	Cylindrical with 12 vertical slats
Lights on Roll bar	Originally Red/Red combo	Originally Red/Red combo	Originally Yellow/Red combo	Originally Red/Yellow combo
Current Location	Phoenix, Arizona	Virginia	New Jersey	Henderson, NV
Current Owner	Rick Champagne	Dr. Dave Anderson	Dr. ?	Doug Jackson
Last sale price	$4,200,000	Unknown	$600,000	$217,000

Original photos of the 3 replicas being built in late 1966
The #1 stripped, to be replicated	"Tubs", back left; Jeff Cruz, back right	Michael "Gale" Black, left	Jeff Cruz, right
Jeff Cruz	Working on two cars	Michael "Gale" Black, center	Working on the center console
Working on one of the replicas	Michael "Gale" Black	Welding the frame	One of the replicas

The Replicas --Questions & Answers

Why were replicas built? From the agreement dated August 15, 1966, "...all of the parties hereto are desirous of exhibiting to the public for profit vehicles copies from and representing exactly the aforesaid Batmobile...BARRIS is authorized to construct such copies of the Batmobile vehicle as FOX and GREENWAY may approve..."

How many replicas did Barris build in the sixties? Three

When were the 3 replicas built? In early November of 1966

Why did Barris build 3 replicas? From an original 1967 document, "The demand for bookings (car shows & appearances) has been greater...as we do not have enough cars and can not move them around the country quick enough to fill all the requests. Naturally, another car would bring more income which would be beneficial..."

Did one of the replicas drag race? Yes, in 1967 Bill Shrewsberry was hired by George Barris to drive the #4 Batmobile at various exhibition races across the country.

Listen Now to hear audio of the Batmobile at the Motor City Dragway in 1967

Were the cars identical? No, each one was unique in its own way. "Such copies of the Batmobile shall be faithful reproductions as to the quality and design of the Batmobile currently used by FOX and GREENWAY." The "Dragster" did have a larger engine (428 ci), a bigger tire & rim combination and four small holes on each side of the rear canopy (to prevent the canopy from blowing out). It also shot flames from the turbine exhaust. Also, replica #2 & 4 did not have headlights while #3 did.

How were they created? Fiberglass molds were pulled from the original Batmobile and used to create numbers 2-4. A 1965-66 Ford Galaxie frame and suspension were extended 11 inches to handle the new replicas .

Were any of the replicas used on the Batman TV show or movie? Yes, there is new evidence that a replica was used on the TV show. It was seen during "The Contaminated Cowl" episode airing January 4th & 5th in 1967. The key to spotting the replica is the cylindrical beacon cage and the different arch light colors. Red/yellow pattern on the replica versus red/red on the #1. The replica is believed to be the #4 car. See the group of screen captures below from the episode. The replica is pictured on the left & the #1 is on the right.

How were the Batmobile's brought to the different events in the 60's? By the Ford Bat-station wagon and the Wells Cargo Bat-trailer or the Promotions, Inc. 40' trailer.

Why was there writing placed on the front fenders of the replicas and what did it say? From the agreement dated August 15, 1966, "BARRIS agrees to affix permanently upon each vehicle produced hereunder appropriate copyright and trademark notices and supplied by NATIONAL PERIODICALS in the following form..."

"Batmobile"--The Barris Kustom Insignia--"Powered by..." The Ford Oval Insignia--"Greenway Productions...Mr. W. Dozier"--"Filmed at "20th" Century T.V."--"National Periodicals Inc. "67"--"Design Patent...George Barris"--"ABC-Television...Batman"

Why did the replicas have a furry or "flocked" finish at one time? Back in the late 1960's and early 1970's flocking was becoming a new fad for automotive finishes. A flocked finish was comprised of nylon flocking fibers sprayed on an epoxy base. The flocked finish could be described as looking & feeling like a stiff carpet. The replicas were "Bat fuzzed" in the late 1960's and early 1970's.

For more information on the replicas read my exclusive interviews with Dick Dean, Michael Gale Black, and Bill Shrewsberry.


Original touring signs for the Barris replicas