The original Batmobile from the 1966 Batman TV series began life as a 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car. George Barris and his team transformed it for the show; Barris later sold it at auction in 2013. Its ownership and location today are less certain: a 2026 report described it as listed for sale, but did not establish a completed sale or confirm who owns it now.
How a Lincoln Futura became the TV Batmobile
The car was not built from scratch as a Batmobile. The starting point was Ford’s 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car, whose striking shape gave Barris Kustom the foundation for the screen vehicle. Barris Kustom identifies the Futura as the original car.
For the 1966 series starring Adam West and Burt Ward, George Barris and his team restyled and engineered the Futura on a reported three-week deadline, according to Barris Kustom’s account. The conversion retained the concept car’s dramatic form and added the Bat-themed details and special effects that made it recognizable on screen.
Barris Kustom’s published specifications describe hand-formed steel bodywork and a 429 Ford racing engine. Those details come from the builder’s own description, rather than an independent inspection of the car.
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- Authentically licensed from DC Comics
- As seen in Classic TV Series Batman, The 1966 Batmobile has been taken directly from the big screen and brought to you in a 1:18 scale die - cast model with 3" die - cast Batman & Robin figure.
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What happened to the original after the show?
The original remained associated with Barris until he sold it at Barrett-Jackson in January 2013. LegalClarity’s 2026 account reports the sale price as $4,620,000. That figure is a historical sale price, not a current valuation.
Why a Batmobile on display may not be the original
Replicas complicate claims about where the screen-used car is. Full-size recreations and other Batmobile replicas exist; for example, RM Sotheby’s explicitly catalogued a separate vehicle as a 1966 Batmobile recreation. A car described as a 1966 Batmobile at a museum or event therefore is not necessarily the Futura converted for the series.
Rank #2
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- Pre-Painted & Highly Detailed – Includes a pre-painted black body, chrome parts, detailed interior, and pad-printed Bat-wheel spinners.
- Bonus Display Pieces – Comes with an all-new Gotham City skyline cardboard backdrop and a set of water-slide decals.
- Display-Ready Size – Assembled model measures 9 inches long and features metal axles and 4 screws for sturdy construction.
The Batman Museum says Fiberglass Freaks is licensed to build and sell 1966 Batmobile replicas, and its venue page describes Batmobile displays. Those details show why a display label alone cannot establish that a car is the original. The available evidence does not confirm the original’s current public display venue.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who owns the original Batmobile now?
Current ownership is not conclusively established. LegalClarity reported on June 15, 2026, that Rick Champagne owned the car and that it was listed through Barrett-Jackson for $5 million. That was a reported asking price, not a completed sale; the report does not establish that the listing remains active or confirm a later transfer. On the available evidence, the 2013 sale is the last clearly described completed transaction, while the original’s present owner and location remain uncertain.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Classic in black: This model kit of the Batmobile from the classic Batman TV show features one of the most famous vehicles on the planet. It’s long, sleek shape and distinctive red pinstripes are instantly recognizable by fans around the world.
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- QUICK SPECS: 1/25 Scale. 90 Parts. 9” long. Molded in black and clear with chrome parts and black vinyl tires. Assembly instructions included. Skill level 2 – Suggested for modelers age 14+ PAINT AND GLUE REQUIRED.
Rank #3
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