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The "Batmovette" Is a V8-Engined Batmobile Replica Based on a 1989 Corvette

Batman 1989 is not the favorite of critics, but the eerie and haunting live-action movie directed by Tim Burton holds a special place in the franchise. Not only did it bring Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton together as antagonists, but the caped crusader’s car marked a departure from the bubble-top Batmobile of the original movie and TV series from the 1960s.
1989 Batmobile replica based on a 1989 Corvette 1 photo
Photo: Mecum Auctions
Inspired by Tim Burton’s Art Deco version of Gotham City, the Batmobile comes courtesy of conceptual illustrator Julian Caldow and two sculptors, Keith Short and Eddie Butler. Even though Batman’s ride is rocking a 10,000-horsepower jet turbine in the movie, the actual car utilizes a Chevy V8 and two Impala chassis spliced together by the production team.

This Batmobile replica also makes use of a small-block V8, but as opposed to the one in the movie, the internals are sourced from a 1989 Corvette. After failing to sell in January 2020, Mecum was tasked with hammering the one-off work of wonder again at the Houston 2020 auction next month.

Built by Putsch Racing, the street-legal replica was “designed to handle alternate powerplants including the Viper V10 and Allison or Boeing turboshaft turbine aircraft engines.” The seller highlights that it’s “stable at 80 mph,” which sounds really scary if you read between the lines.

The tube-frame chassis is complemented by four-wheel disc brakes and independent air-ride suspension, the canopy is remotely operated, and the horn comes courtesy of a freight train. But the craziness doesn’t end here, oh no! At the press of a button, two machine guns pop up for extra visual drama. Fret not; those babies were modified with no receiver to fire blanks.

The gunsight from a P51 Mustang, the B17 bomber light switch cluster, a PA system with a siren, and amenities such as power seats and cruise control also need to be mentioned. Unfortunately, Mecum didn’t say a word about the mileage, pre-auction estimate, or the reserve price on this fellow here.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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