SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — The legendary Batmobile from the 1960s
television show will cross the auction block on January 19, said the Barrett-Jackson
auction house on Thursday.
Barrett-Jackson, which calls the Batmobile "the Holy
Grail of TV star cars," did not confirm the reserve price for the car. The
Batmobile is expected to fetch millions.
The one-of-a-kind 1955 Lincoln Futura was heavily modified
by legendary Hollywood customizer George Barris and features a bubble top and a
slew of gadgets, including Bat Smoke and two rear-mounted parachutes.
"The 1966 Batmobile by George Barris is one of the most
famous Hollywood cars in history and it has become a true icon that has been
carried from generation to generation of Batmobiles to follow," said Craig
Jackson, Barrett-Jackson CEO, in a statement.
Jackson said the Batmobile "revolutionized an entire
industry." The auction house calls it an "iconic crime-fighting
vehicle."
The auction marks the first time the original Batmobile has
gone up for sale. The car has been part of Barris' personal collection since he
first bought it from Ford Motor Co. for a dollar in 1965, according to
Barrett-Jackson.
The Batmobile features a midnight-black exterior paint
treatment accented by fluorescent-red pinstripes. Barris said he transformed
the Lincoln into the Batmobile in just 15 days for $15,000.
The Batmobile is part of Barrett-Jackson's 5000 Series.
Edmunds says: Expect lots of potential buyers for this
priceless piece of Hollywood history.