The Original TV Series Batmobile

Length: 220mm | Scale: 1/24 | Kit: Revell Futura (custom) | Built by: Butch McClelland

The Batmobile is originally a Lincoln Futura that was made in 1955. The kit I used was a reproduction from the 1959 Futura kit by REVELL. This kit was extremely hard to find, and there are not many in stores.

The original Batmobile model was produced by the AURORA company in the sixties. The casting molds were destroyed during shipping in a train wreck. I have always loved this Batmobile and the television series. I grew up wishing I could have my own Batmobile. The dream has come true... CONSTRUCTION: I assembled the original or stock Futura body and interior as directed. The first modification was on the fender area. I cut the the fenders from a half opening to a full opening. I then proceeded to do the body molding with a clay that bonds to plastic. A rise and nosepoint in the hood was sculpted. The center piece was added in the front lower grille. The pointed wings that ran from the rear of the car were lengthened to a point that ended at the top of the doors.

The glass canopy was one whole piece on the stock version. I sawed the two openings out that remain open over the seats. Fender flares were added over the new openings and were smoothed into the side molding. The famous jet exhaust nozzle was cut off a cheap airplane kit. The three small exhaust pipes located on the rear deck is nothing but scrap plastic from the kit. Chrome rims were from another car kit and the batsigns were cut from paper. COMPLETION: This project took me about 90 hours to complete the finish product. I'm really proud of this model because it presented new obstacles to overcome. This was my first custom model and I will be doing more. This car is not for sale because of personal value!

Photos and Documentation © 1996 by Butch McClelland

This picture of the model was enhanced into motion by Photoshop 3.0