Woodsy, you asked about my Hot Wheels Batmobile collection. I did do a short piece on some of these (under the label Boatmobile), which appeared a few months ago, but I thought I would send in a few more photographs.
The white 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car was a one of a kind prototype, built to show what the cars of the future might look like. Alas, it was not to be. The car appeared in the film It Started With A Kiss (1959), starring Debbie Reynolds and Glenn Ford, for which it was painted red.
After appearing at car shows, and gaining publicity for Lincoln, the car was forgotten, and eventually bought by George Barris. It was then turned into the original TV Batmobile for the 1966-68 series, and the spin-off movie version, becoming one of the greatest TV Star Cars ever. Several replicas have been built.
Hot Wheels included a Futura (in white, with a silver-grey interior) in the Hot Wheels Boulevard series. This is one of the HW premium lines, with a metal body, metal baseplate, and Real Rider wheels.
It comes on a more elaborate card, and is much more expensive than a regular HW model. The Boulevard series only lasted from 2012 to 2013, although the name has just been revived. The Futura was one of the early releases in 2012, and only came in Pearl White, although there was a 30-car set which included a version with pink and purple stripes, and purple rather than clear canopies.
I have not seen this version in the flesh - photos of it are horrible enough. The Futura has not yet appeared in the Mainline, which is a real pity. Johnny Lightning also did a Futura, which they released in different colours.
Paul Adams
NZ
The Futura was a beautiful car,George Barris only had to a add a few modifications to make this into a Batmobile, it's mad how the power options we take for granted in modern cars had already been done in cars of this period, I have a few mates with American cars, imagine air-con you could balance a ping pong ball on the vent of air, a prism that sits on the dashboard so you don't crane your neck to see the traffic lights ahead, I also understand that George's brother was the real talent for custom work but didn't think there was any money in it, another thing that Batmobile was incredibly heavy with all the added details but also lead was used for filling gaps in cars, hence the term Lead-sled for smoothed low riding street-rods! - MJ Southcoast base
ReplyDeleteNice post! Hot Wheels -Mattel's gift to baby boomers that keeps on giving!
ReplyDeleteThe batmobile is surely the most famous car in the world would you agree?
ReplyDeleteI'd say, no matter where you go there's an "original" Batmobile!-MJ Southcoast base
DeleteI would say is a draw between the Batmobile (TV) and the James Bond Aston Martin (movies). In each case there are now hundreds of models and variations to collect - keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteYes. A toss-up I agree Paul. There's an Aston Martin showroom in Leeds near where we live. I always think of James Bond going in there and asking for his DB6! ha ha. I read that the DB6 was a grand tourer. What's that?
DeleteCars are really not my subject, but here goes: a Grand Tourer, or GT, is a luxury long distance car (usually a sporty two or four seater coupe) with a big fuel tank for roaming across Europe, and a large boot for all your monogramed luggage. When on the Grand Tour, you should really drive the car yourself, and leave the chauffeur at home. Sorry if any car buffs have just had a heart attack. Bond never had a DB6, only the DB5, although Corgi did give him a DB6 in the Corgi Juniors line - about the only difference from the DB5 was a revised tail.
ReplyDeleteSo thats what GT stands for! thanks for info and insights Paul. I don't have any monogrammed luggage or a chauffeur!
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