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DM's design team have sculpted a great retro piece with this generic 5-window fastback coupe with suble styling cues reminiscent of many of the periods great cars, from the majors to the Graham/Cord designs. An interesting touch is the vertical "B" pillars that are contrary to the ubiquitous "swept forward" look of most coupes of that period. Batman's dressup package includes four removable wheel spats which cover chrome rimmed steel black steel wheels with dogdish hubcaps decorated with the classic winged bat logos.
As with the first 60's Batmobile, there are the Batman and Robin figures sculpted in the proper period style. The interior contains some nicely adapted Art Moderne/Deco elements on the dash, side panels and courtesy light grouping. The rear passenger area is stocked with the duo's paraphenalia. Although hard to photograph, you can make out two pairs of BatSkates and casters for the zipline carriers. Also on the flocked shelf are extra uniforms, flashlight, a coil of rope and a first generation (read:"low tech") Batarang.
Pop the hood, which opens on springloaded scissors hinges, and you'll see a tricarbed flathead V8, tricked out in the style of postwar stock car racers. I'll bet Bruce Wayne had Alfred order them from the JC Whitney catalogue. Period performance parts include finned custom heads along with set of headers that empty into conventional dual exausts. The chassis and suspension is relatively stock with a solid axle damped by a transverse leaf spring. No Bat-turns for this baby.
As you can see, this fantasy car reflects the fun the design boys must have had fleshing out a 61 year old illustration. It's been my pleasure to share in their enjoyment of a job well done.
This 40's comics version of the Batmobile can be ordered by those who purchase the 60's version.
(11/15/2004)
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