A Tribute to Classic TV Superhero Cars
Everyone’s impressed with Christian Bale’s Tumbler Batmobile, and the all new Green Hornet Black Beauty from Comic Con 2009 – but without those classic TV vehicles we might not have a basis for today’s designs. We also wouldn’t know what NOT to do when it comes to creating a superhero ride. I mean, you gotta fight crime, on network TV in the 1960′s no less, you should do it in style. Scare off the hippies and commies in your retrofitted Lincoln Continental. Check out Automopedia’s tribute to these old school crime fighting whips.
Golden Age Batmobile – 1965-1966
Perhaps the most recognizable of all superhero rides is the 1955 Lincoln Futura – which became the 1966 Batmobile. The vehicle was purchased by George Barris of Barris Kustom City for $1 directly from Ford. I guess FoMoCo was hurting for cash even back then. The Batmobile had a (nonworking) rocket booster, sonar, radar and many communication devices. The current estimated value of this Original Batmobile – over $2,000,000! Holy Pocketbook Batman!
Green Hornet’s Black Beauty
Another 1960′s crime fighting duo (Green Hornet, a Batman spin-off) rolled in a more subtle vehicle – Black Beauty. This converted 1966 Chrysler Crown Imperial hid various weapons and investigation gadgets – including “infra-green” headlights, which is just like infra-red, except… green. Check out an all new version of Black Beauty next year, when funny man Seth Rogen brings Green Hornet back to theaters.
Catwoman’s Kitty Car
I thought I remembered Catwoman owning a hooptie – and if Wikipedia tells me she did it MUST be true! The “Kitty Car” or “Cat-illac” helped Catwoman get from Bruce Wayne’s mansion to the Penguin’s/Riddler’s/Joker’s hideout in no time… boy, she really got around eh? According to “1966batmanfan.com” – “The cars’s real name was the”Autorama Special”, later named The Reactor built in 1964 and was based on a front wheel drive Citroen chassis.”
Wonder Woman’s Invisible Jet
Wonder Woman was too fancy to commute via ground – she took to the air. Unfortunately, special effects in the 1960′s and 70′s were not what they are today, ESPECIALLY on TV. In the classic DC comic, Wonder’s invisible jet was a magical plane which could slip through the clouds unnoticed. On television, well be honest it’s a little silly looking. Her jet has become such a superhero gag it was even parodied on Family Guy.
 Family Guy Wonder WomanCrazy video clip from The Family Guy about Wonder Woman and Superman. This kind of strange humor is what made The Family Guy popular. |
Honorable Mention – Jokermobile
I don’t remember seeing The Joker get around in his own vehicle during the 60′s series, but this Jokermobile has made several appearances throughout Golden Age comic strips and various Batman cartoons. In The Dark Knight, Heath Ledger’s Joker rides around in everything from a stolen Gotham Police car to “Slaughter’s” two-ton semi.
Personally I prefer the old cars, specifically the old Adam West-era’s Bat Mobile but I have to say, the Green Hornet’s new Black Beauty both modernized the mobile, at the same time, retaining the likable features of the original car! If I happen to find a similar Cadillac in one of those used car dealerships in Indianapolis, I’ll definitely score it! After all, used car dealerships in Indianapolis are cheap!