The History of Batmobile Models - Part 1

Holy injection-molded styrene, Batman! With the release of “The Batman” just a few short weeks away, this new movie starring Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader made me realize this would be a perfect time to do a retrospective of all the Batmobile scale models that have graced shelves and workbenches over more than 50 years!
I’ve broken this list down into 10 different Batmobile designs from the last 72 years. That’s a lot of history to cover, so for that reason I decided to make this into a two-parter…from gaudy to grounded, we’ll look at them all. This is Part 1, looking at designs that appeared in Detective Comics back in 1950, all the way to (wait for it) The Superfriends Saturday morning cartoon in the late 1970s (yes, there’s a model kit…sort of…).
So slide down that batpole into the batcave, and join me for Part 1, as I look at the history of the classic Batmobile models, here…on Scale Icons!
…And if you’re interested in the history of all the Batmobiles, I HIGHLY recommend seeking out an hour-long documentary from Warner Bros. Entertainment called “The Batmobile”. Originally included as a special feature on the DVD of “The Dark Knight Rises”, you can find it uploaded to KZbin…but as it’s probably a copyright infringement I won’t include the link here.
This video was edited with Hitfilm Express, an amazing, easy-to-use, and most of all FREE video editing software package available from www.fxhome.com. No more Windows Movie Maker for me!
Batman and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics
Bibliography
Bill Engar, “How not to build a 1/3 scale Batmobile” www.dembrudders.com/blog/how-...
User - The Batman, “Aurora Batmobile - A Model Kit like no other” www.hobbytalk.com/threads/aur...
Bill Spencer, “Batmobile History - Toys & Replicas” www.batmobilehistory.com/index...
1966batmobile.com/
www.scalemates.com/kits/horiz...
www.sideshow.com/geek/the-evo...
Janaki Jitchotvcisut, “The Complete History of the Batmobile”
www.complex.com/sports/2012/0...
E. James Small, “Batmobile”, www.smallartworks.ca/Gallery/B...
1966 Batmobile Flying Bat - Jimmy Flintstone - www.rocketfin.com/resin_produc...
Fantastic Planet - fantastic-plastic.com/Batmobi...
Lunar Model “Batcar” - www.rocketfin.com/resin_produc...
Mike Piggot, “Batman by Johhny Lightning”, mikepigottsdiecasttoysandmode...
Scale Modelling News, “Building the Polar Lights 1:25 Batmobile”, www.scalemodelnews.com/2015/0...
Rebellion Creations, RebellionCre...
Video Clips:
“It Started with a Kiss” (1959), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
“Batman” (1966-1968), 20th Century Fox Television / Greenway Productions
“Batman” (1966), 20th Century Fox / William Dozier Productions / Greenlawn Productions
“Challenge of the Superfriends” (1978), Hanna-Barbera Productions / DC Comics
“AFX Racing commercial” (1978), Ideal Toys
“Batman” (1989), Warner Bros. / Guber-Peters Productions
“Batman Returns” (1992), Warner Bros.
“Batman Forever” (1995), Warner Bros.
“Batman and Robin” (1997), Warner Bros.
“Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero” (1998), Warner Bros. Animation
“Batman Begins” (2005), Warner Bros. / Legendary Pictures / Syncopy / DC Entertainment
“The Dark Knight” (2008), Warner Bros. / Legendary Pictures / Syncopy
“The Dark Knight Rises” (2012), Warner Bros. / Legendary Pictures / Syncopy / DC Entertainment
“The Batmobile” (2012), Warner Bros. Entertainment
“Justice League” (2016), Warner Bros. / RatPac-Dune Entertainment / DC Entertainment
“How To: Build Your First Model Kit” (2017), The Scale Modelling Channel, • How To: Build Your Fir...
“The Batman” (2022), Warner Bros. / DC Films
Music:
“Fuzz Buzz”, Soundroll. Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/fuzz-buzz, License code: C60XOBBCP9A7P5BC
“Rock your Surfboard”, Yeti Music. Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/rock-... License code: Y7VUJOYDUWFWXTCT
"The Justice”, Mountaineer. Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/the-..., License code: MCYSE2RAP5JRTBUQ

[@RobertFalconer1967]

The current 1/6th scale version of the 1966 Batmobile released by Jazz Inc. is mind-blowing! But you need a whole table for it.

[@scaleicons]

I just looked up Jazz Inc batmobiles online… acronym “OMG” does *not* do any of their creations justice!

[@RobertFalconer1967]

@@scaleicons Right?!

[@deanrussell2224]

12:33 OMG That’s the cover of my very first Batman comic !!!!

[@Waterratt4344]

I bought and built the two Johnny Lightning Batmobiles and built them with my son. I also bought one of the 1950's JL kits for myself. I have the Polar Lights Deluxe edition 1966 Batmobile, with the photoetch. It is a beautiful kit, I just have not gotten around to building it. I saw recently that Round 2 is re-releasing the Batmobile called the the Bad Guy Getaway Edition with Penguin and Catwoman figures and part, that were included in the deluxe edition, to make it Penquin's Birdmobile, complete with umbrellas and penguin door decals.

[@scaleicons]

I built the 2 JL batmobiles with my son too. Despite the die-cast bodies, the styrene details were well molded and they were ideal introductory kits for junior builders…and experienced adults could really bring them to life.

[@Waterratt4344]

@@scaleicons They are fun quick builds for the experienced, but also good teaching models for the youth or inexperienced.

[@scaleicons]

Agree 100%!

[@corlando52]

Nice job! I built the Aurora model but years later tried to recreate the rear flame shown on TV by lining the rear turbo chute with aluminum foil and breaking open fire crackers for the gunpowder. I put the gunpowder on the foil and lit it! It looked like the TV show for about 2 seconds before the plastic started to melt and the whole Batmobile went on fire! I also had the Aurora HO Batmobile and slot car track. I used 3 in 1 oil that was highly flamable! The Batmobile went much faster but had flames shooting out of the rear and the chassis melted. I have since replaced my original with both a vintage and repro one!

[@scaleicons]

Holy Workplace Safety! Awesome stories, thank you for sharing. I never built the Aurora kit (or even the re-pop) but the new Round 2 kit is very nice. Glad you enjoyed the vid…stick around for part 2 which should be ready in a week or so.

[@garfieldsmith332]

Never did that to the Batmobile but I did make foil and gunpowder bombs for model ships. Put them in the hull, put the ship in a wading pool. Gunpowder and lighter fuel on the deck. Light it and watch the "explosions at sea".😊😊

[@margaretmacgillicuddy4944]

Very informative.

[@scaleicons]

Thanks!

[@NeilB.Arnold]

The only problem I had with the reissued Aurora kit was when it was finished Batman and Robins heads barely cleared the height of the doors, I think they made the seats to low.

[@scaleicons]

The proportions of the old Aurora kit were definitely wonky…just like the old Corgi die cast Batmobiles with their shortened front end and lengthened back end.

[@onixfieroandscalemodelworks]

This is amazing. Never knew there were so many versions

[@scaleicons]

Thanks, onixfiero! I knew there were a few variations but I was blown away when I learned about the “deep space lights”…I always assumed it was the same model all along, just in different boxes.

[@kenttm42]

I got the original Aurora Batmobile kit and modified it so it would accept a chassis from one of my slot cars. Used to love racing it on my Eldon slot car track at home.

[@scaleicons]

Now that’s ingenuity! Very cool!

[@capedwonder2833]

Great video. Can't wait for the next installment.

[@scaleicons]

Thanks! I just started editing part 2 this afternoon, so hopefully it’ll be ready in about a week. Make sure to subscribe and click the notification bell so you know when it drops!

[@bryanmaccallum9717]

Thanks for putting this together! I'm assembling a collection of batmobile model kits and I didn't know about the Johnny Lightning releases.

[@scaleicons]

I’m glad it helped, Bryan….thanks for the kind words! Good luck with your collection!

[@crazexskater]

I built a Batmobile from the original Futura kit. Still have it...

[@scaleicons]

Amazing! What was your experience with it?

[@HobbyLinkInternational]

Now that was an excellent video! Great work and very informative :) bring on parts 2 and 3!

[@scaleicons]

Thanks very much! I’m giving myself a day before diving into the editing for part 2.

[@garfieldsmith332]

Great video. I never knew the original Aurora kit had 2 box designs. Built the kit when it first came out at $ 1.29 Canadian. I have the recent re-op built and one in the stash. Same fit issues etc. as the original kit. However the re-pop includes figures.

[@scaleicons]

$1.29 is a steal!!! I never saw the original while growing up in Edmonton…we didn’t seem to get a lot of the Sci Fi kits of the era…the only ones I remember in the hobby stores were the AMT Star Trek kits and of course the “Interplanetary UFO”. I was a huge fan of the Batman series, and had I seen a Batmobile, I’d have been all over it!

[@jettoscranda]

Amazing video series!

[@scaleicons]

Thanks very much Jetto! I’m working on another series as we speak…hopefully you’ll enjoy those ones too when I start to roll them out!

[@jettoscranda]

@@scaleicons Oc course, very well made videos!

[@scaleicons]

Thank you!

[@davidparker8221]

I have almost all of the kits you show here. I'm a teeny, teeny...disappointed you did not mention the 1/64 kit of the 1960's DC comic book version of the Batmobile by Johnny Lightning which is to date the only one of the kits I've built. The air cleaner sits too tall atop the intake manifold/block piece. You have to sand the intake manifold piece down and or the air cleaner down in order for the hood to close. I detailed mine with thread wires and a "glue dot" distributor. A wrapped guitar string maybe could be used for a radiator hose (I didn't because I didn't have one to spare at the time.) You could also add a battery and fluid containers. I did some paint and clear epoxy dial detail in the interior. A more equipped modeler could achieve incredible results. You could cut and hinge the trunk and go all "Danbury Mint" in its interior. It was a re-entry into a hobby I had little success with as an impatient child, but I achieved some decent results. (My wife was impressed, and she has high standards of artistry.) So, on to part 2.

[@scaleicons]

Thanks for the comment, David. I missed the 1/64 kit in my research, otherwise I definitely would have included it. It’s still amazes me how *many* batmobile kits have been released over the last 50 years…when I first started researching I was only tracking a handful of these. It sounds like you did a bang-up job on yours. Too bad KZbin doesn’t allow pictures in the comments, I’d love to see how yours turned out.

[@davidparker8221]

@@scaleicons I am the Secretary of the New Jersey Diecast Car Club here in the U.S. (You sound a little like Alex Trebek, so, from Quebec?) I was a fan of the TV show, and I think that car was my first "car crush" ❣️ George Barris and I share a birthday decades apart. When Johnny Lightning was revived under Tom Lowe under the "Playing Mantis" Marque they acquired the rights from DC Comics for a line of Batman toys (around 2002) I discovered this during an interview with Tom Lowe in a Batmobile cable TV doc where a 1/64 prototype of the George Barris Batmobile was in the background on a shelf (Be Still, my beating heart!) Same thing happened with Danbury/Franklin Mint. DC had the right to license "Batman", but Barris (ever litigious) always retained the U.S. Patent rights for the design of the TV car exclusive from DC and Greenway/Greenlawn Productions. Companies always thought they purchased the rights to the TV car after dealing with DC when a Barris "Cease and Desist" letter or a lawyer threatening one would show up. That's why when Corgi went under, Barris' deal with them may have died with them, and maybe the rights went exclusively back to him. For certain we know Barris held up any reproductions of the TV car for decades- diecast or styrene. Corgi was eventually purchased by MATTEL. Just maybe after 2 decades of legal wrangling after that, that's why the Hot Wheels car came to be released. Barris struck a deal selling his rights to MATTEL less than 2 years before his death. The full size car, or the main one of 5 used for the show or its promotions bear the HW logo under the Barris Crest. Back in time ('02) to JL, What's Thom Lowe/Playing Mantis to do? They released 4 Diecast model kits. (Available on eBay and such staring around $18 - 20 a piece.) Three 1/64 kits: The 1940's DC Comics Batmobile, The 1960's DC Comics car (with an optional trailer hitch part) the 1960's Comic Batboat with trailer (it all comes together) and the 1st Bat vehicle: the ( I guess 1/87 scale? ) the 1939/40 Batgyro. The rest of the story you didn't tell [ And why would you? It's WAY too complicated!] JL started by Topper Toys 1969-71 (Financial Shenanigans of C.E.O killed it.) Name licensed purchased by Thom Lowe who revived it (1994- [ 2002 Batmobile kits Aurora/Polar Lights, etc.] -2004) cashed out to Racing Champions (begat RC 2 begat Learning Curve [Thomas the Tank Engine,etc...] ) Thom Lowe goes to Greenlight/ Auto World. RC 2/LC bought by TOMY/Tomica 2011, kills JL in '13, re-enter Thom Lowe (Round 2, get it?) revives brand again under ownership of TOMY International.I keep hoping for a 1/64 version of the 1950's Batmobile to fill out my collection. I know MATTEL has a DC license for Batmobiles (in the HW and Matchbox lines) but does Round 2/TOMY have exclusive rights to the 1/24 50's Batmobile kit ( based on a scratchbuild designed by Michael Stutleberg)? IDK. So sorry for the length. My cars are in storage. I have a son on the severe end of the ASD Spectrum. My email is [e-mail]. If you email me I'll try to send you photos of them soon.

[@scaleicons]

David, I’m not from Quebec, but I am Canadian, just like Mr Trebec. That’s a fascinating story, I had no idea about the legal wranglings involving George Barris and the Batmobile design. I think I got a sense that things involving rights were very complicated as I researched the history of the styrene plastic models, especially when it came to the “unlicensed” Barris garage kit that bore his image and signature…but I had no idea how convoluted it actually was. I avoided covering most of the diecast kits as my focus is on styrene kits. That said, I *did* include the two larger Johnny Lightning kits as I know from personal experience that a lot of traditional kit building techniques were required to assemble them (my son built each of them almost 20 years ago). As for me, the corgi Batmobile (and batboat and batcopter) were among my favourite toys growing up in the 70s! Thanks again for all your fantastic feedback, I’ll drop you a line to see those pics!

[@masudaharris6435]

Imai originally released their Batmobile plastic models in 3 scales in 1966. Two of them were re-released in the 80s.

[@scaleicons]

Thanks Masada! I hadn’t come across that detail in my research. Fascinating!

[@jhoodcomics]

This is a fun overview. If you ever want a lot more background info on the development of the Polar Lights '66 model kit, I might know a guy. ;)

[@scaleicons]

Jamie, I’m glad you enjoyed the video! If I follow up the Batmobile story, I now know that you “know a guy” 😉. Cheers!

[@AlbertPendergraff-rp7jp]

I have every Batmobile model because my friend George Barris gave them to me after he had them made

[@1997811isaac]

Fun fact: A Japanese British Mods style Rock band ‘THE COLLECTORS’ does reference the imai ‘Batman car’ Batmobile kits in their song ‘Plamodel’.

[@scaleicons]

Very cool!

[@zarnistastudios]

This is a great retrospective!!! I have built a lot of those. I still have my Horizon 1980s half built in a box. And what a long road it was to get an accurate 66 bat in 1/25th scale. Had both the Black Star and the Jimmy Flintstones in a tub with the 80s Horizon. May be worth a revisit and see if I can finish them to the level they deserve. Great job !!

[@scaleicons]

Thanks very much! The Horizon Batmobile looks like a very interesting kit, I would have loved to tackle it. You’re absolutely right, it took soooo long for an accurate ‘66 kit to be produced.

[@stevenewman1393]

🖖😎👍Very cool indeed.

[@scaleicons]

Thanks, Steve!

[@johnlawrence1232]

I know your video was made some time ago but felt compelled to comment. I also had the Jada 1:18 and was nagged by the orange pin stiped so went in search of a more accurate model and focused on Hot Wheels. I ended up being incredibly lucky by coming across an unopened Delux Elite version. The detail is incredible, more metal than their other versions plus came on a aluminum stand. Your video was excellent and wish I'd found it while i was on my search, the great detail would have been a help. Pleased you found your model, Happy to share some images of my collection if you want. I've subscribed to the channel too

[@scaleicons]

Thanks very much for the kind words, and thank you for subscribing! I’ve since seen the deluxe elite version on a store shelf and was truly impressed with it!

[@rwheatley0206]

I have many of the models you have shown here today. Would love to have them all. Just subbed your channel.

[@scaleicons]

Between my sons and I, we’ve built most of the Johnny Lightning, AMT, and Polar Lights kits over the years. They’re lovely kits. Thanks for the comment and welcome to the Scale Icons family!

[@3mr4ldknight]

Great video! Your mic quality seems better in this one, did you get a new one?

[@scaleicons]

Thanks, John…I’ve got a brand new mic my son gave me for Christmas!

[@royfisher5848]

I have the johnny lightening 66 batmobile 1/24 scale diecast model n the hot wheels 1/25 scale I think that's right diecast batmobile

[@scaleicons]

Those are nice replicas…beautifully detailed!

[@jeffreybosiljevac3408]

Have I been mispronouncing “decals” all my life?

[@scaleicons]

It’s a regional pronunciation…”dee-cals” seems to be more common in the USA, whereas “deckles” seems to be more common in Canada (where I am) and the UK.