1989 Batmobile

Mar 1

Quick Specs

329 mph (In the films)
2 for filming, 3 for publicity and promotional use
Driven by Michael Keaton in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992)
Comedian Jeff Dunham owns one of the Batmobiles from Batman Returns (he also loaned us a replica 1966 Batmobile for the Hollywood Dream Machines Exhibit

Driven by Michael Keaton in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992)

The Batmobile which has been the car of the Detective Comics Super-Hero Batman since 1939. When plans for a new Batman film to be directed by Tim Burton were announced, a brand new Batmobile was created for what would become the 1989 film Batman and would be used once again for its sequel Batman Returns in 1992. For the production of both films, two cars were utilized before Warner Brothers commissioned three additional vehicles for publicity and promotional use including this one. Anton Furst designed the vehicles using the design of tanks and other military weapons as inspiration. The cars are all about 20 feet in length and are built on two Chevrolet Impala chassis’ spliced together. In addition, the vehicles have a V-8 Chevrolet engine, components of a Rolls-Royce jet engine for the hood-mounted intake, and a British Herrier fighter jet utilized for the turbine blades in the nosepiece. Lastly, the car is equipped with Mickey Thompson racing tires built on custom wheels.

Almost 20 feet in length, the Batmobile driven by Michael Keaton in the 1989 and 1992 movies was based upon a 1967 Chevy Impala found in a London junkyard. It was powered by a 327-cubic inch V-8 Chevrolet engine mounted low in the frame in order to maintain a low hood line and enhance the car’s sleek profile. Rolls-Royce jet engine components were used to form the hood-mounted intake, and turbine blades in the nose piece were scavenged from a British Harrier fighter jet. Two Batmobiles, the featured car and a stand-in, appeared in Batman and Batman Returns. Three additional studio-authorized Batmobiles, of which this is one, were constructed for publicity and promotional use after the film's release.

Collection of the Petersen Automotive Museum

This Vehicle featured in ‘Cars of Film and Television’ Exhibit