Corvette-based ’89 Batmobile Ready to Fight Crime at Mecum Houston
Replica of the Batmobile used in the 1989 film Batman second Corvette-based machine to hit the Mecum block in two weeks.
Which Batmobile is your favorite crime-fighter? The one Adam West used to give The Joker a big “KA-POW!!!” in the Sixties camp classic? The hardcore Tumbler from The Dark Knight Trilogy? The straight-up war machine used to chokeslam the Man of Steel himself in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice? No matter the version, there’ve been a few replicas made over the decades the classic ride. Some even based on the Corvette, no less.
One such Corvette-based Batmobile is set to hit the auction block at Mecum Houston Saturday, December 5. And it’s one hell of a replica, too.
You Can Be the Batman and Date Catwoman
Built by YouTuber and educator Casey Putsch in 2011, this ’89 Batmobile replica uses an ’89 Corvette powertrain. However, this replica once had a Boeing turboshaft engine between the long fenders. Putsch says it can handle any size V8 or V10 block, or a turbine for maximum authenticity.
It’s also street-legal, so you can make every kid glow with glee during your grocery runs. And befitting Bruce Wayne’s love of tech, the replica packs tons of it. Infrared rear cameras, multi-band scanner, air-ride suspension, even functioning .30-caliber machine guns. You could probably get into a lot of trouble with this ride, for sure.
KA-POW!!! BLAM!!! BOW!!! Down on the Auction Block!
The ’89 Batmobile is only the second Corvette-based replica to hit the block in two weeks. Our friends at LS1Tech took note of this ’66 (based on an ’85 ‘Vette) from the red carpet at Mecum Kansas City 2020. Alas, the replica failed to meet reserve, the bidding topping out at $75,000 before rolling away back out of the spotlight. Similar replicas — including one from the late George Barris and his Barris Group — met similar fates.
Does such a fate await this masterpiece from the hands of Casey Putsch? It’s hard to say. It all depends on what the seller has in mind for a reserve, for one. For another, Mecum Houston has plenty of Corvettes not made into Batmobiles to consider, too. We’ll just have to wait to see what happens.
Photos: Mecum Auctions, Warner Bros.
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