This isn’t some backyard kit car slapped together by an overzealous fan. Mecum’s 1989 Batmobile is an officially licensed Warner Bros. creation, built as a stunt and exhibition vehicle for Tim Burton’s Batman (1989). Recently restored to its gothic glory, it’s a functional piece of movie history that’s less about daily commutes and more about embodying Bruce Wayne’s brooding alter ego. No official price estimate is listed, but a similar ‘89 Batmobile fetched $1.5 million in 2022, so brace your wallet.
Designed by Anton Furst and Julian Caldow for Burton’s Batman, the 1989 Batmobile is a masterpiece of industrial menace. Stretching nearly 20 feet long, it’s built on an extended Chevrolet Impala chassis, with a satin-black body that screams “I’m here to terrify Gotham’s underworld.” Its defining feature? A massive jet engine intake up front, paired with a rear “afterburner” that’s pure theatrical flex—no actual jet, but the aesthetic is undeniable.
Sale
Lego DC Batmobile: Batman vs. The Joker Chase 76224 Building Toy Set, This DC Super Hero Toy Features Batman's Iconic Vehicle with Weapons and a Minifigure Compatible Cockpit, DC Gift for 8 Year Olds
- Iconic 1989 Batmobile – LEGO DC Batmobile: Batman vs. The Joker Chase (76224) brings the drama and excitement of the classic 1989 movie to life
- Minifigures and more – As well as a buildable 1989-style Batmobile, the DC Super Hero toy includes Batman and The Joker minifigures, plus accessories including a Batarang, harpoon spike and handcuffs
- Authentic action – Batman's iconic vehicle features an accessible cockpit for the Batman minifigure, a control that raises 2 blasters into position, a flip-open trunk and a flaming tailpipe
$47.99
−$2.44
$45.55
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The silhouette is all sharp angles and bat-winged menace, with turbine-inspired intakes along the sides and a sliding jet-fighter-style canopy that opens with a satisfying whoosh. Custom wheels sport Mickey Thompson tires (with Bat-logo hubcaps, naturally), and the hydraulic front suspension makes it practical for transport, if not exactly sprightly. It’s a rolling sculpture, less car than mobile cathedral, designed to make every onlooker feel like they’ve stumbled into Gotham City.
But let’s be real: it’s not perfect. At 30 MPH max, this Batmobile isn’t outrunning the Joker’s goons. The Impala chassis, while sturdy, feels a bit pedestrian for a vehicle this ostentatious. And those “functional” windshield wipers on the canopy? They’re a charming but slightly absurd nod to road legality, like putting a bicycle bell on a tank.
Under the hood—or rather, under the removable front canopy—sits a 350-cubic-inch Chevrolet V8, the same workhorse that powered Impalas, Caprices, and El Caminos of the era. Paired with an automatic transmission and a “Lightning Rod” gear shifter, it’s more muscle car than supercar. Don’t expect to tear up the track; this Batmobile’s top speed is a leisurely 30 MPH, prioritizing presence over pace.
Step inside (or slide through the canopy), and you’re greeted by a jet-fighter-inspired cockpit that’s equal parts functional and gloriously over-the-top. The custom dashboard is a chaotic symphony of buttons, levers, and switches, controlling everything from the canopy to the “smoke,” “fire,” and “oil slick” systems—though you’ll want to check with the NHTSA before deploying those on public roads. A digital display offers police, military, and weather scanners, plus visible and infrared cameras for that extra Batman vibe.
Its auction price reflects that legacy. While Mecum’s listing doesn’t specify an estimate, the $1.5 million sale of another ‘89 Batmobile in 2022 (and a $680,000 jet-powered replica in 2019) suggests this one won’t come cheap. For context, a Warner Bros.-licensed replica built for Six Flags carried a $220,000–$260,000 estimate, but this stunt car’s pedigree pushes it into a higher stratosphere. Interested? Check out the Mecum auction page here.
