Vehicle Spotlight | 1989 Batmobile

1989 BATMOBILE

As depicted in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992)

Designer: Fireball Tim Lawrence and Julian Caldow
Builder: John Evans and Pinewood Studios
Based on: 1967 Chevrolet Impala

Batman and Batman Returns both follow the mysterious hero Batman (Michael Keaton) as he fights the sadistic Joker (Jack Nicholson), the psychotic Penguin (Danny DeVito) and the seductive Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) in defense of the city of Gotham. To assist him in the fight against these villains, Batman utilizes the Batmobile which comes fully equipped with machine guns, smoke emitters and a “Batmissile” mode.

Driven by Michael Keaton in the 1989 and 1992 movies, the Batmobile was created from an assemblage of parts, such as Rolls-Royce jet engine components to form the hood-mounted intake. The turbine blades in the nose piece were scavenged from a British Harrier fighter jet. Two Batmobiles 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
Gift of the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation