My visit with George Barris and the #1 Batmobile

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66Batmobile	My visit with George Barris and the #1 Batmobile	Lead	[-]
Posts: 2133 (12/15/08 5:37 PM) Eric Seltzer Admin/Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None On Friday 12/12, I was fortunate enough to go to Barris Kustom Industries and see George Barris and the #1 Batmobile. My goal was to interview George and ask him all our burning questions about the Futura and the number one car. Since I knew in advance I was going to be at Barris' shop in the morning, I invited Mark Racop (from Indiana) and Tom Woodruff (Southern CA) to join me and film the experience. George was in very good spirits and opened-up his shop for anything we needed for the interview & shoot. We wound-up talking to George for an hour (he had a flight out of town) and then proceeded to do some more filming with the #1 & his "#2 Batmobile." After that wonderful experience, Mark and I went to Tom's Batcave to see his Batmobile. WOW!!! was I shocked to the extent of detail that Tom went to make his car 1966 accurate. Out of all the Batmobiles I've seen in photos and in-person (including the #1) this was the one I was most impressed with. He is a man after my own heart when it comes to quality, workmanship and having an eye for detail. His car is simply outstanding! Overall, it was a great day and I wish to thank (in no special order): George, Tony, Kathy, Tom, and Mark. It's always nice to meet other board members and fans of the car in-person. More photos coming soon! Eric P.S. It was nice to meet Scott Sebring, unfortunately very briefly, and would have liked to meet Nate & his car but time was not allowing it. Last Edited By: 66Batmobile 12/16/08 9:08 AM. Edited 1 time.
66Batmobile		#1	[-]
Posts: 2137 (12/15/08 10:47 PM) Eric Seltzer Admin/Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Mark and Tom Notice the arch or ridge on the fender. I always assumed it was more rounded versus peaked. In-person you can really feel the peak. I was shocked to see the inset of the front wheels and how deep they really were in the wheel well. 390ci, 427ci 429ci---anyones guess?? Wonder what the 4 canisters were (one is not viewable in this pic)...must be from the original Futura. We noticed wire attached to the rear hinges of the trunk. Maybe the wire/cable was pulled from underneath the car to open the trunk?! The cable can be seen in the top/middle of photo. Last Edited By: 66Batmobile 12/15/08 11:35 PM. Edited 3 times.
Dannorama		#2	[-]
Posts: 49 (12/15/08 11:05 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Beautiful stuff, Eric. Is this what you mean by "vacation?" If so, I'd gladly sit through endless hours of your slide-show. I'll be the one with the air horn. The car looks to be in better shape than ever. Even with the small bat. Is this the result of the most recent restoration? If not, I sincerely hope that when it does occur, Mr. Barris takes into account everything that you have to offer on this tremendous web site of yours! Living the dream, man... You are living the dream.
Mark Racop	What An Incredible Day!	#3	[-]
Posts: 2107 (12/16/08 1:39 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I had an absolute blast meeting Eric, Tom, and seeing George and the #1 again: Tom sitting behind the wheel (first time, Tom? I can't remember?): And my first time sitting in the car (yes, I look like a dork!): Several mysteries were put to rest, like the arch over the rear windshield--there was no crack on the underside: This was possibly the emergency brake, on the driver kick panel: And in and amongst the rats nest of wiring below the dash, I found what was probably the hood release: This was the emergency brake release button: And here is the front winshield chrome, sitting on top of the arch: It was an absolutely amazing time...
Lord Marmaduke Fogg	WOW...	#4	[-]
Posts: 693 (12/16/08 5:53 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I am SOOOO envious...I wish I could meet 'the MAN' and 'the CAR'...but alas, i'm 3000 mi away. That is so cool! The one thing that disappoints me is - I wish that, if/when George has the #1 restored, he'd restore the ENTIRE car...especially that mess of wiring, and the engine/engine compartment. I mean...I realize the car is pushing 55 (overall)...but it'd be exceptionally nice to see it restored to 'showroom' condition (even though Batman would have never bought from a showroom - perhaps 'Factory Fresh' is a better term). I guess that's why it's called 'Hollywood magic'...makes the imperfect...PERFECT!! Anyway - great pics and it looks like you guys had a blast!
Amazzen	A visit to envy!!!	#5	[-]
Posts: 439 (12/16/08 7:28 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thank you for sharing this with us; it was especially nice to see George so hospitable (it definitely renews my admiration for the man). And of course......Eric, Tom and Mark, you guys are still "the Best"!
Batusi		#6	[-]
Posts: 293 (12/16/08 8:25 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Great pics! More details/photos/video coming I hope????
dirtprod		#7	[-]
Posts: 683 (12/16/08 8:27 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Who's jealous? Me! Looks like you kids had a great vacation! Quite the Christmas present! Thanks for sharing the experience! I look forward to more pictures, stories and from the looks of it, maybe even video clips. You lucky guys! My best, Ernie MunsterKoach.com
66BAT		#8	[-]
Posts: 2705 (12/16/08 9:09 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Fantastic! Eric--on the archive thread you verified Barris says that is WAS a rear view camera mounted under the turbine exhaust tube, did he happen to also say if it was just meant to be a Bat-prop or did they actually try to use it at some point?
clayslinger		#9	[-]
Posts: 108 (12/16/08 10:08 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Holy CSI: Gotham City! I can't think of three more deserving people to have such access to THE car. Congratulations guys! If the dispelling of the cracked rear canopy myth is any indication of the info and photos to come, I'm glued to my seat. WELL DONE and keep up the great work!!!! Chuck...
A Pennyworth.thecaveboard		#10	[-]
Posts: 70 (12/16/08 10:58 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Great post! Looks like you guys had a fun and productive visit. Thanks for the new pictures! I don't know if I could have restrained myself to NOT to try to pull off those dash labels! "NAILS' "OIL" "EJECTOR" "COMPUTER" etc. Last Edited By: A Pennyworth 12/16/08 11:09 AM. Edited 2 times.
66BAT		#11	[-]
Posts: 2706 (12/16/08 11:52 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I forgot to add......how is it you (Mark) haven't even sat in the #1 EVER before? That seems really weird! Life is strange sometimes...a guy who has gone from converting crappy Monte Carlo's to Bat's all the way to creating a business making fantastic ones...never sat in the #1! Well, I'm sure you know what I mean now when I say that sitting in the #1 is unlike any replica, you just KNOW it's the #1, no question! It's one of a kind, and an experiance all bat fans should get at least once!
Mark Racop	Sitting in the #1	#12	[-]
Posts: 2108 (12/16/08 12:08 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I spent about four hours photographing and analyzing the #1 when it was in Indianapolis in 2004, but it was roped off and the guard wouldn't open the doors, hood, or trunk, so it was tough to get the photos that I really needed. You're right, Dan, sitting in the #1 is unlike sitting in any other Bat. There is sooo much more room in the #1 compared to all the replicas out there. Plenty of leg room under the steering wheel, the seat was comfortable, and the front windshield height was considerably higher than the top of my head. The floor pan has to be lower than the Lincoln Town Car. Mr. Barris was very accommodating, as was his assistant Kathy. Since the car is in the showroom, it is a lot more accessible than in previous years. If you are in the area, you should definitely check it out.
Futurabat6543	Absolutely astounding!	#13	[-]
Posts: 465 (12/16/08 12:26 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanx for the great pics E-. They have settled a few issues for me. First point...the cable in the trunk. I am certain now that the episode where I saw Batman open the trunk from the cockpit involves this cable. Also...the rear canopy still retains it's original arch. I had been told by someone els the rear window on the mattel bat was like it is because that's the shape it is today on the real car. WRONG!!! As I suspected the car has it's original canopies. Well, not the original, the original plexiglass units were replaced by lexan units on the copies. It's also confirmed my suspicion that the arm rests do indeed continue on to the kick panels. And finally, I believe that to be a 390 residing under the hood. ...Speaking words of wisdom...let it be. -Paul McCartney-
radioscooter		#14	[-]
Posts: 603 (12/16/08 4:49 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Excellent photos. Great looking day you guys had. And Mark - what can I say? Amazing fashion sense as always! -S
Mark Racop	More Pics	#15	[-]
Posts: 2109 (12/16/08 9:06 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I thought the shirt was highly appropriate, too! Hoping that the panel behind the fire extinguisher was the elusive "door for the car phone," I gently pushed, pulled, and prodded, but it didn't budge. It either isn't the door, or it has long since been made immoveable: Yes, that funky looking rod, heavily covered in electrical tape, is indeed the gear shifter. Here is the hole through the transmission tunnel: Paul, your lens bezel appears to be an absolutely perfect match for the #1: This is the less than pretty hole through which the cantilever mechanism went to raise and lower the center canopy (now somewhat covered in carpet): I shan't spoil the illusion of the car with some of my pictures, because she looks so beautiful from the outside...but the door jambs, b pillars, and trunk lid tell another story, sadly--that of a rushed build and rushed repairs over the years...
thekgb	Was George	#16	[-]
Posts: 706 (12/17/08 1:49 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Or is he aware that you build replica's Mark?
66BAT		#17	[-]
Posts: 2708 (12/17/08 9:07 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I would actually LOVE to see the rusty and sad pics, being a bodyman most of my life it's fully what I expect to see frankly. I am ALWAYS interested in seeing anything that shows the original Futura hiding under the Bat face lift, almost like finding a sunken ship ya know? And as all the other body men out here know...any body work eventually rusts out and needs to be redone, it would be cool to see the "insider view" of those areas, although I fully understand not wanting to ruin the mental image most folks have. I'd be more than happy to see them via personal email if you don't want to post? I still can't tell you how envious I am of this trip you all made...I have seen the car many times and sat in it, talked with Barris several time etc., but never had this kind of access to every nook and cranny, only thing better than that would be to become the new owner of the #1!!
hobbybuilder01	I am for seeing	#18	[-]
Posts: 144 (12/17/08 4:02 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	the less than stellar pics of our icon car it might be helpful to come up with a restoration plan if we were all involved in some small way. Glad you guys had the unpresidented all access to the car. Awesome job guys !!
66Batmobile		#19	[-]
Posts: 2144 (12/17/08 5:54 PM) Eric Seltzer Admin/Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	hobbybuilder01 wrote: the less than stellar pics of our icon car it might be helpful to come up with a restoration plan if we were all involved in some small way. Glad you guys had the unpresidented all access to the car. Awesome job guys !! Here's the underside of the trunk lid...yes that is rust.
hobbybuilder01	thats awesome	#20	[-]
Posts: 146 (12/17/08 7:46 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	it really shows a working prop...There is a particular feel to the 1 car no replica can ever replicate. Its like the archeology of the car being a one off concept car to a well used tv movie prop the #1 earned its nicks and cuts over the years and wears them as a history lesson.

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My visit with George Barris and the #1 Batmobile

My visit with George Barris and the #1 Batmobile

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