Gotham Garage Lost The War. Was This One Of The Soldiers?

Jack Baruth
by Jack Baruth

Should it be legal to build Batmobiles? The final decision on that: no. Gotham Garage reportedly only built two of them before the hammer came down.

The Batmobile you see before you is an extraordinarily detailed replica, captured on pixels by a TTAC reader in Franklin, TN. But after reviewing pictures of the Gotham Garage Batmobiles, I’m not sure it’s one of them. Check the photos and tell me what you think.

One of my most (or least, depending on how you look at it) loyal readers saw this Batmobile outside a hair salon in Franklin, TN. Comparing it to this image of the Gotham Batmobile shows a few discrepancies, most notably in the reflectors and the shape of the spear on the nose. I’m hoping TTACers are slightly more eagle-eyed than I am and can make a determination for me.

It’s entirely possible that there’s another Batmobile builder out there who’s had the sense to stay under Warner Bros’ radar, perhaps only working with known people in the crazy-replica-movie-car “community”. Who knows? Let me know what you think. In the meantime, if you see any Batmobiles on the street, feel free to ask the owners where they got ’em. Who knows? They might even tell you the truth.



Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth

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  • Naterator Naterator on May 10, 2013

    Where do you GET such wonderful toys?!?!

  • Allard Allard on May 23, 2013

    Hello all, Interesting read. This is my replica depicted in the article. It began as a '55 Lincoln Futura Replica offered in the late 70's and early 80's. I found an unbuilt example and paid to have it built. Literally every one of those Futura replicas, except the first example for Fantasy Cars Ranch in El Cajon, CA was turned into a BatmobileTM. At the time, I had an outfit in CA mount the body to the chassis and they did it poorly to say the least. Just about everything of this replica had to be redone by another entity with additional monies vested by me to make it the example it is today in respect for the WB/DC trademarked Batman TV show. I remember my visit in TN (it was a good one just in time for the Cars4Kids show there), but it is not the Batmobile you have depicted in a prior article. Incidentally, this car is for sale for $225k should you know of any interested parties. I don't want to burst anyone's pipedream, but generally speaking, the Batmobile loving public is not aware of this whole "under current network" of losers mostly who fight amongst themselves over whose body is more accurate blah blah blah. And save for 2 or 3 class acts who do great fiberglass work, I can assure you 90% of "that element" are losers. So before you get the itch for owning a BatmobileTM, do your homework. My car is a not for profit auto enthusiasts car that I'm happy to share with anyone who wants to check it out as long as its a good weather day :) (no roof).

  • Billyboy The Big Three, or what used to be the Big Three, have been building sedans in the FWD unibody mold since the 80’s to compete with the Japanese - and failing. The Taurus was the only decent attempt, and even that fizzled out after a few years. Back to GM, There’s no reason to choose a Malibu over a Camry or Accord for normal buyers. The story was the same when it was the Citation, Celebrity, Lumina, and Impala, as it was the same with Ford and Chrysler. GM knows this, as does Ford, and doesn’t care - and rightfully so. Better to cede this time-worn commodity segment to others and focus to where the market has shifted.
  • CanadaCraig You are not wrong. Or a dummy for that matter. I also think it's foolish of GM to kill off the Malibu. That said... I think there needs to be full-sized plain jane sedans for sale. And there are none. And haven't been for a long time. A basic BIG car. With room for six. Bench seat and all. Nothing fancy. And a low price to go along with it. I would buy one.
  • OCcarguy Back in the 1980s the Mitsubishi Cordia was one of my favorite cars. I would love to see them make cars we could get excited about again.
  • Chris I dislike SUVs. I think they are clunky looking and not much in the handling department. I'll take an Audi A4 or BMw three series or even a VW Jetta over any SUV. It I need more interior room for a shot time, I'll rent something bigger.
  • Amwhalbi I have a sedan and an SUV, and for pure driving and riding enjoyment, I'll pick my sedan every time. But yes, SUV's are generally more practical for all around usage, particularly if you have only one vehicle. So I think the perfect answer is the sedan hatchback (a la the last Buick Regal) which can still yield the drive and ride or a sedan, yet provide a greater modicum of practical, accessible cargo capacity. Most of the sedans made could (with minor styling changes) easily become 4 door hatchbacks. Oh, yeah, I forgot - Americans don't like hatchbacks, even if they do in Europe...
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