Good news for Batman fans! – The first officially-licensed Batmobile is up for auction starting at $90,000. The custom Batmobile was built and designed in 1960 by 23-year-old Forrest Robinson in a barn, and is based on a 1956 Oldsmobile 88 with a 324 Rocket engine – a predecessor of 1960s muscle cars.
Here’s the story behind the car, according to Heritage Auctions:
“What is believed to be the world’s first car that became an officially licensed Batmobile was conceived and customized starting in 1960 by 23-year-old Forrest Robinson. After finishing the design, Robinson and a young friend, Len Perham, begun building the car in the Robinson family barn. Robinson completed the car in 1963-two years before the George Barris customization of the TV Batmobile was started. The “’63 Batmobile” is the earliest known car in existence that was sanctioned by a DC Comics licensee.
Although many people associate the Batmobile with the cars seen in recent Batman movies or the late-60s Batman TV show, Robinson’s earlier car is instantly recognizable as “more authentic” by comic book lovers. It has features seen in DC’s Batman Comics from the 1940s and ’50s, including the prominent front-end bat-nose and rear-end single fin.”
Internet bidding ends on December 5 at 8 p.m. PT and auction ends on December 6 at 9 a.m. PT. What do you think of?
Photos Courtesy of Heritage Auctions
