The Batmobile: Which
Vehicles Inspired the Iconic Car?
Batman is one of
the most iconic characters, not just in superhero media, but in pop
culture in general. His comics are consistently some of the
best-selling, and along with Superman and Wonder Woman, he makes up
the, so-called, DC Comics “Trinity.”
Despite his
status, Batman, for the over 40 years of the character’s existence,
has never had any superpowers. He gets by on wit, skill, and of
course, his gadgets. And, when it comes to gadgets and tech, there is
no more iconic piece of bat tech than the Batmobile.
Automobiles in
Fiction
Of all the
vehicles that have featured in various pieces of media (films,
comics, cartoons, etc.), there is no denying that the Batmobile is
the most iconic. The slick design, the shining black paint, the bat
ornamentation, have all made the vehicle a staple of Batman stories
to this day.
However, the
Batmobile is not the only car to feature prominently in fictional
stories. Humanity’s love for cars can be seen in a ton of media.
For example, online casinos prominently feature slot games that take
inspiration from racing cars.
For the unaware,
online casinos are websites that host hundreds (or more) different
games, most commonly slots. Websites like casinos.com
will show you where to find the best online slots, and also help
you discover the greatness of themed slots, especially those themed
after cars.
Cars can also be
seen in video games, which serve as a sort of predecessor to online
slots, along with, of course, the slot machine. Iconic video game
cars include the Mario Kart, the City Connection car, and even the
Batmobile itself has had some gaming debuts. But, our focus now is on
the film adaptations of the vehicle, and the real-life cars that
inspired it.
Batman (1943)
Many people
mistakenly believe that the Adam West portrayal of Batman was the
first to hit both the silver and the big screen. While iconic, and
important in its own right, the 1966 iteration of the character was
not the first. That honor goes to the 1943, 15-chapter, serial simply
called “Batman.”
In this one,
Lewis Wilson and Douglas Croft star as Batman and Robin, and combat
the foreign operative, Doctor Daka, who is planning a nefarious
scheme to help the
Axis win WWII. As the first to adapt the Batman mythos, the
serial had the task of adapting the Batmobile.
Their solution
was quaint and elegant. They simply took a 1939 Cadillac convertible,
which would serve as Bruce Wayne’s personal car when its top was
down. However, when the top came on, the convertible became the
Batmobile. While simple, it was a clever way to adapt the classic
vehicle.
Batman (1966)
Though not the
first, Adam West’s portrayal of Batman was certainly one of the
most iconic. Goofy, comedic, and somewhat silly; true, but also full
of heart and whimsy. What a lot of people remember from the show
though, is the incredible Batmobile design, with a shining black
exterior, and red rims.
The design of the
1966 Batmobile is so iconic, that it was even references in the 1999
animated series, Batman Beyond, which shows a new Batman in a
cyberpunk future. The new Batman cowl is a shining black, with red
decorations, reminiscent of the 1966 vehicle.
But, which car
inspired it? The design was based not on a publically available car,
but on the Lincoln Futura concept car, created by Bill Schmidt and
John Najjar. The vehicle was first displayed during the 1955 auto
show circuit, and turned quite a few heads.
Powered by a 368
cubic inch Lincoln engine, the Lincoln Futura was a massive success.
Indeed, a lot of the most popular classic cars that followed, some of
which are still
sought after today, were largely based on the technology that
served to power this very car. And if it is good enough for Batman,
it is good enough for us.
The Batman
(1989)
Batman’s first
ever feature film came at the hands of director Tim Burton in 1989.
Starring Michael Keaton, the film was a huge success, and also
introduced one of the most iconic Batmobile designs to date; the
so-called “Keaton-mobile.”
At nearly 20-feet
long, the 1989 iteration of the Batmobile is one of the longest in
the franchise. But, what is it based on? The inspiration comes from
two different Chevrolet
Impala chassis, and bears the Chevrolet V-8 engine.
The Impala was,
for a long time, Chevrolet’s flagship vehicle, and one of the most
popular passenger cars in the United States. In fact, in the 20th
century, it was among the top five best-selling vehicles. It is no
wonder then, that Batman would drive in a design based on the Impala.
The design itself
was incredible. At 20-feet long, it may seem strange or outright
goofy. However, it works incredibly well on the big screen. A
powerhouse of a vehicle, the 1989 Batmobile featured a front-mounted
jet intake, giving it a futuristic, high-tech vibe.
Batman Begins
(2005)
In 2005,
Christopher Nolan’s first film in the “Dark Knight Trilogy,”
re-invigorated pop cultures’ interest in Batman, and superheroes in
general. It was a grittier, more realistic take on the caped
crusader. Of course, it also had to feature a realistic car.
Designed by Nolan
himself, as well as Nathan Crowley, who played a huge role in the
car’s creation, the 2005 Batmobile takes massive inspiration from
military vehicles. However, the car underlining the tank is one of
the most noteworthy and popular cars of the 21st century,
the Lamborghini.
The Italian
manufacturing magnate has been around since the 1910s, and has,
through the years, become one of the most popular and beloved car
companies in the world. In the 2000s, Lamborghinis were some of the
most popular cars, and served as status symbols for many.
The design,
combining a tank and a popularly-available car resulted in a bulky,
armored, high-speed vehicle. While many might not think of the
Batmobile instantly upon seeing it, it has quickly become a beloved
addition to the Batman franchise.
