Lot 422: 1979 Lincoln Continental 'The Batmobile'

Coys have had a long history with important cars throughout history but more recently have become well known as a source of the more modern and eclectic motorcar. Since the advent of television and film, motorcars have secured a niche as co-star with as wide an appreciative audience as the stars themselves. This has much to do with the design as it has with storyline. From Genevieve to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, from the Mustang from 'Bullitt' to Herbie. Cars from both the UK and USA have been making headlines for years not only commanding impressive publicity fees but also, in the rare event that they appear for sale, impressive prices as well. And so they should, there is usually only 1 or 2 of them made and they represent the childhood of millions of people. There are some cars that come along though, that seem to occupy the Holy Grail of film car status; the Batmobile is one such car. Naturally Coys were invited to bring the original to market last year and amid much publicity included appearances on TV and a photo shoot with the London equivalent of Commissioner Gordon, it was sold. Not for the estimate of £75,000 but for £119,000. Sadly we can't all have the real thing but this was no deterrent for the vendor of the example, this evocation presented here today. He found himself a 1973 Lincoln Continental and set about creating the next best thing. Bill Chaplin, a specialist in custom bodywork was drafted in assist and so it began. Built to similar specification as the original, it was finally completed in 1988. Coincidentally, in 1989, the interest in Batman re-emerged onto the nation's heats and minds and so this car was suddenly catapulted into the headlines. It was much called for not only within the UK but also Europe and as far a field as the USA and the Middle East. It was used in the Batman stage show in Al Ain in the UAE in 1993 as well as numerous other promotional appearances including motor shows from Ireland, Birmingham, Dubai and Austria (and many more). An enormous clippings file accompanies the car from almost every publication you care to mention. It also became a regular sight with Batman himself. Adam West is still busy with conference work and promotional tours and has appeared on numerous occasions on, in and with this tribute to the original. The appearances have not isolated themselves to print though. Numerous TV appearances have seen Adam West and this Batmobile together, including a number of driving sequences. Internally, the mechanics are extremely reliable and she starts and drives well. Supplied with a full MoT test certificate as well as a V5C, the Batmobile, as you would expect, also comes with a dash mounted TV, rear parachute pod, bat phone and lights. Not only do you and I have another opportunity to fight the forces of crime but you can drive to the scene quite legally and with far more panache than any Ferrari on the road today.