Customer Reviews

Mattel Hot Wheels 1:18 1966 TV Series Batmobile

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For almost 40 years I've been waiting for an accurate replica of the 1966 Batmobile, and finally it's here! This model has been computer scanned from the actual original vehicle still in the possession of customizer George Barris, so it is without a doubt, the most accurate mass produced, commercially available model of the car available.

This diecast profiles correctly to the shape of the original car ( which has been distorted in most toys and models available over the decades ) and the details, even down to the red pinstriping, look great. Hardcore scrutinizers may find a quibble here and there with minor details ( such as two very small "badges" on the grille of the car ) but some variations are inevitable, as this car has had parts replaced ( such as the "turbine exhaust" ), and has been tinkered with over the years. But when the overall look of the model is so correct, those minor changes hardly matter.

The model has a glossy black paint job, matching the look of the car on the television series. The passenger doors open, and it has a working steering linkage. Cockpit detailing includes the handle used to make the car perform a 180 degree "Bat-Turn", a fire extinguisher between the seats, the rolltop detailing on the dash, and the somewhat antique looking "Batphone" on the center console.

There will be limited edition "elite" and "super elite" versions available, which will have more goodies, such as an opening hood and trunk, and photo-etched parts, plus details of questionable authenticity under those opening parts ( such as a conjectural "turbine Engine" which was never seen on the series ) but if you're not made of money - like me - you will probably find this version just right for the price.

Yea I had one ordered as a presale at $29.95 and It never shipped, then they notified me that it would be delayed so I kept it on order for another month. Finally they notified me that they could not feel the order at this time. Yea because sellers on amazon are really sticking you for the price + $60.00. Look around there are plenty of ligit hobby stores selling the reg. version of the 1:18 batmobile for suggested List price $29.95 they will also be hitting the mass retail stores later this summer these won't sell out till mattel saturates the market with time. They are not limited production items.

A blast from the past which no Batfan can be without.
The scale 1:18 ensures great detail and accuracy that smaller versions can't match.
Even with all the later Batmobile versions this is the one that has always stayed in my mind.
Recently I visited a car's of the stars museum, but of all the exhibits on show only four interested me,
The Saint's Volvo, Mrs Peels Lotus, Bond's Aston Martin DB5 and.......this version Batmobile.
A fantastically designed vehicle from a fantastically humourous show.
Mr Barris's creation will, quite rightly, go down in TV history.
(Now hopefully they will release the TV show this car featured in.)

For those who remember, or have seen the 1960's TV-Series Batman, the 1:18 Scale, Mattel "Hot Wheels" 1966 Batmobile has been long-awaited! (This is the George Barris version, created from the "Dream Car" '57 Lincoln Futura!) The details are great, (There are even TWO versions of detailing! Mine is the standard issue, having only opening doors.) The scarlet pinstriping on the long sleek black, bat-winged body is striking, and the "bat" images on the doors and Mag-Wheels instantly identify whose WILD ride this is! "Holy Flashback! This is Awesome"
Burt Ward would likely say, to Adam West, upon seeing this fine model!


This 1:18 scale model has to be the most sought-after and memorable version of the Bat-Mobile EVER, after all the "other" vehicles and versions. And it is now in a scale to easily study the fine details within the car's dual canopy! In the past, there were ONLY smaller versions which lacked the character or outright beauty of this beast!!

As somebody who had the legendary, original Corgi Batmobile during my childhood, I was very excited to learn that Mattel was making this even more faithful replica of the car from the old TV series. My local hobby shop wants $40 for this thing, so when I realized the price had dropped to $25 on Amazon, ordering it was a no-brainer.

Now that I've got it, I have to say it's the die-cast miniature equivalent of a "twenty footer" car: From a distance, it's gorgeous, but closer inspection reveals a few imperfections. In the case of mine, there is paint over-spray on the rear bubble canopy windows, and, despite the fact that it's brand new and has presumably never been out of its box, the chrome on the three exhaust stack/missile launchers is already wearing off, as though it's been subjected to wear-and-tear. Also, the driver's side door looks like it's not fitting or hung properly. Perhaps when or if I open the box, I may be able to more fully close the door or position it better.

Heck, given the lack of perfection here, I might as well go ahead and open it up. I'll leave a comment on this review and let you know what I find out if and when I do that.

So the bottom line is that this is a very nice toy, and will certainly look just fine displayed on your desk or shelf, but if you're a real stickler for modeling perfection, you might want to think about ordering the Elite or Super Elite edition. Those have also come down in price, and one would assume the fit and finish, workmanship, and attention to detail would be much better.

Mattel costed the heck out of this model. Only the top 1/3rd of it are metal. The Hood, trunk, bottom and lower half below the red stripe is all plastic. All components are also plastic. CHEAP and Light. By weight it feels like it is all plastic.

The design is awesome and spot on though...;)

I was thinking of getting the elite version, but heard that the basic version was going to be quite good. It definitely is! I'm happy with 99% of the model and the only thing I would change is making the wheel spinners more like bat-shapes. I liked it so much I wanted to buy another, but found the price had increased to over 5 times the release price here on Amazon. I did a quick search and found that another major retailer will sell these at the Amazon initial release price as a special order. I just received the second one today and it is going to my downtown office. They are classy models and are a great conversation piece as a bit of 1960's Americana. These have small delicate parts that will break off if used as a child's toy, so keep that in mind. It is meant as a static model.

A great model. The big size is fun to look at. I collect this size model car, and this one floors them every time, have some fun and buy one The price is good too I saw one at toys r us for more money! That makes a person feel good these days

Hot wheels has done a good job on this model. The car looks and displays great. The one thing that is curious is the range of fluctuation in the price from day to day. Fortunately I got mine at the lower end of the range, then yesterday I found that the local Toys R Us had a dozen of them in stock for 29.99. I wanted a second one so that worked out great. It would definately be advantageous to check that resource out before paying anywhere from $50 to over a $100 for one.

This is another fantastic offering from Mattel. The detail on this model of the classic 1966 Batmobile is outstanding. It's interesting when you think that in the first episode of "Batman", we saw the Batmobile on the Batcave turntable before we saw the Dynamic Duo! And wow, what a car. George Barris did a great job in taking an old Futura show car and turning it into the Batmobile. Too bad he later junked one up for the show circuits, by adding all kinds of extra unnecessary labels on the gizmos. ANYWAY, this model is a nice one to add to your collection of Star Cars.