And the center of the controversial replica is what's known as a Bob Butts bodyshell, they all have certain features that the Barris fiberglass replicas dont have and that is twisted in rear quarter panels. There is no explanation for this 'deformity'. It is a telltale sign when looking at replicas. The St C replica doesnt have the rear twisted qtrs, his buddys with a Butts replica does/did and his other buddy has a freaks replica..which is a completely different bodyshell altogether. Butts-
Bat Mobile seen in St. Catharines, ON
- Thread starter mr. fix it
- Start date
68PK21 440.6bbl
Old Man with a Hat
The Klassix Auto Batmobile came up I thought recently in our local rag of a newspaper, I tried searching for the article to no avail but IIRC it was about the ongoing court case specifically for the Batmobile. Two or three parties were involved fighting over the back track sale of the car, and Klassix Auto was in bankruptcy and I guess had a loan to purchase the Batmobile.
No mention of Barris involved in the case, fingers pointing here and there, Think the Klassix guy pocketed big cash and banks were chasing him, he was going after whoever he bought the car from and I think the auction house was involved as many cars from that museum were liquidated.
Never had a follow up article about the outcome of the case so don't know really what the end all was.
We all locals shook our heads when they built the Museum out by the Flea Market, the lot was kinda weird as it didn't have proper 'Frontage' and was confusing to get into the place. They thought they would get exposure too the I-95 traffic but it is at the confusing 1-95 & I-4 interchange (more confusing now, TY FDOT) and you couldn't really notice it even from ISB the main boulevard that Daytona Speedway is on. Doomed to fail. The only article I found was when the museum closed in 2003 and a bigazz wanna'b MotorCycle Dealership moved in to the building, FAIL, then it turned into some kind of Restaurant gambling joint called Lucky's which didn't last long now it's a "Shop, Shoot, Eat & Drink" Gun Range with a "upscale whiskey bar & grill" another head shaker but I just checked the web and via the glitzy webpage seems to be doing well. We all thought bad idea, sort of gun range theme park for the Florida man to get liquored up and shoot off guns. Check it out.
Volusia Top Gun. Shop, Shoot, Eat & Drink in Daytona Beach
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Sport Lux
New Member
Super cool car! Way to embrace the spirit of the whole thing, Nicely done.Hello, I'd like to clarify something that Mr Fix It mentioned in his original post. I am the owner of the car and it definitely wasn't me who he was speaking with. I have never insinuated that this car is anything but a replica, and am extremely forth coming with the fact that is just that. So, I apologize to Mr Fix It if someone made you "guess" if it was an original, but that certainly wasn't me. First, this isn't a Fiberglass Freaks build. The car was mostly built on the west coast of Canada over 4 years, but after being extremely disappointed with the workmanship and condition that it was delivered in, it then spent another 18 months being finished just outside of Toronto. We tried to be as true to the original as we could (yes, those are the correct Radir rims). I didn't want a "trailer Queen" as I enjoy driving it as much as I can, and let people enjoy it. Sure, there's a few things that could be better or more accurate, but given the challenges of finding correct parts, and having them withstand the unforgiving wear and tear of a daily driver, I'm pretty happy overall with the way it turned out and looks now. A few things that I still plan to do is paint (probably one of the worse paint jobs on Earth!) and a few others fixes here and there to some of the workmanship issues and functionality aspects which we're continually working on. Overall, I'm happy with it and hope people can enjoy it and that it brings back some good memories of a childhood of running around the house with a towel tied around their neck!
Currently up on ebay for $138 +K is this prime example of a replica at just a little over market price. This is the 'other ' bodyshell shared by Fiberglass Freaks, known as a Hines bodyshell. Compare this replica with the St C replica and one gets a understanding of handmade quality fit and finish of handmade metals that give it it's ' bling', continuity in the interior...ie door panels line up to dash panels etc gloss paint and the fact that the St C replica was bought for at under $50K vs no gloss paint and readily made off the shelf available items to fill the interior with no engine detailing on this example.
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Mike66Chryslers
Senior Member
Wow, learning a lot about the Batmobile enthusiast community on this thread. Thanks!
I kept walking past the place going to the races... I never did try to find my way in. IDK about now, but "free" parking and easier access to Tomoka Farms Rd (as a 2 lane) was a big appeal... the ability to set up a grill in the shade and tailgate was nice too.
I did always kinda want to go in to see the Bat Car... but I don't think they were even open for arguable the highest traffic weekends that intersection sees.
Liquor and guns holds little appeal for me... and if I really wanted, downtown is just a few miles away... head toward town in the wee hours and there's a fair chance you can find both.
A lotta coin for fiberglass - https://gasmonkeygarage.com/1978-lincoln-batmobile-replica-brings-high-price-at-auction/
trainwreck
New Member
Here's a earlier Gen 3...5th in the series. As one can see the bodyshell is identical to the St C replica.
On this replica the hood was removed by the owner for engine compt display purposes. This particular version is on a custom designed square tubular chassis with the latest (at the time) modern suspension, rack and pinion steering, coilovers etc and of course Radir wheels..15x10's at rear, narrowed 9" in alignment with front wheels ..so deep dish wheels are tucked in. Same chassis option offered to all Gen 3 purchasers at cost. Much the same workmanship as in all Gen 3's and 2's. I know what works and what doesn't on my builds. Crate Boss 302 and TCI trans, all the Best interior and exterior stainless ..extensive metalwork inside and out, note the stainless base canopy moldings with Lexan canopys. St C replica owners since removed original Lexan canopys in favor of plexiglass and base stick on molding. There is a reason why offroad and race cars use Lexan and not plexiglass.
On this replica the hood was removed by the owner for engine compt display purposes. This particular version is on a custom designed square tubular chassis with the latest (at the time) modern suspension, rack and pinion steering, coilovers etc and of course Radir wheels..15x10's at rear, narrowed 9" in alignment with front wheels ..so deep dish wheels are tucked in. Same chassis option offered to all Gen 3 purchasers at cost. Much the same workmanship as in all Gen 3's and 2's. I know what works and what doesn't on my builds. Crate Boss 302 and TCI trans, all the Best interior and exterior stainless ..extensive metalwork inside and out, note the stainless base canopy moldings with Lexan canopys. St C replica owners since removed original Lexan canopys in favor of plexiglass and base stick on molding. There is a reason why offroad and race cars use Lexan and not plexiglass.
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Of course without a decent bodyshell....there's no replica. Good workmanship begins with the fiberglass body material chosen and a good mold. I use PPG 2 oz fiberglass matt because of its tight weave. Its hard to find sometimes as cheaper Chinese matts have infiltrated the market. The Chinese matts are the same price per sq yard but are looser strands and generally fall apart when torn or cut making for a very frustrating experience as the **** splits apart while one is trying to make a panel or part. Generally the neophytes who clam they know workmanship when they see it dont know one strand from another or they gauge thickness of the panel as a sign of ' quality '..another misconception. Chopped strand matt shot out of a chopper gun can be resin heavy making for thicker resin rich parts which can be brittle or awash in a sea of resin, bathtubs and truck parts are made that way. A 45 gallon drum of resin and two rolls of PPG matt are the start of the process of making a Quality replica by hand....a labor intensive tedious thankless task that takes on average 2-3 months to lay up solo. After the bodyshell is made and dried and while its still in the mold it is grinded/scuffed up to adhere long pieces of tubular steel which are then cut to fit and encapsulated in the new bodyshell typically at the upper ends of the wing and under the front fenders and nose cone with bare spots left to eventually MIG weld to support the bodyshell as its welded to the donor floorpan.
68PK21 440.6bbl
Old Man with a Hat
I wonder how much a carbon fiber Batmobile would cost?
That'd be cool-a-mundo!
That'd be cool-a-mundo!
mr. fix it
Old Man with a Hat
Kelly Dorsett
New Member
Great looking car! I got a chance to see this at a charity run a couple of weeks ago in Niagara Falls. Certainly a head turner. I agree the paint and body is a little rough, but from 10 feet way it looks amazing! Love all the gadgets. I've always wondered who put those in, George Barris or the studio.
Hello, I'd like to clarify something that Mr Fix It mentioned in his original post. I am the owner of the car and it definitely wasn't me who he was speaking with. I have never insinuated that this car is anything but a replica, and am extremely forth coming with the fact that is just that. So, I apologize to Mr Fix It if someone made you "guess" if it was an original, but that certainly wasn't me. First, this isn't a Fiberglass Freaks build. The car was mostly built on the west coast of Canada over 4 years, but after being extremely disappointed with the workmanship and condition that it was delivered in, it then spent another 18 months being finished just outside of Toronto. We tried to be as true to the original as we could (yes, those are the correct Radir rims
Great looking car! I'm jealous! I got a chance to see this at a charity run a couple of weeks ago in Niagara Falls (thanks for letting me cross the rope for a photo!). Certainly a head turner. I agree the paint and body is a little rough, but from 10 feet way it looks amazing! Love all the gadgets. I've always wondered who put those in, George Barris or the studio. Great site here. I found it last night and have spent the last 6 hours reading.
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