December 10, 2007

Batmobile Auction Sucks As Much As The Movie. Almost December 10, 2007

Read more Cars , Entertainment , Gizmodo UK , Motoring , Movies

1995 batmobile.jpg

The auction of the Batmobile from the 1995 movie excrement known as Batman Forever, spectacularly failed to impress bidders at a recent auction.

Like the movie, it had high expectations with a reserve of $600,000-$800,000 but, in the end, crashed and burned by selling for just $297,000. That’s just over 10% of what it cost to build in the first place. Here’s what the auction site said:

"The Batmobile presented here is a running and driving example constructed in Australia with a fiberglass body and a custom tubular chassis. Its mold cost a reported $2,500,000 and an additional $300,000 was invested to complete the vehicle. As a promotional vehicle, not used in filming, it embarked on various promotional tours around the world before its eventual acquisition by Mr. Wiseman in 1999. It remains fully intact and functional with no damage to speak of. Despite a certain degree of surface texture and minor paint cracking and scuffs, the car remains in very presentable condition. The interior has held up nicely and is entirely custom made, while the undercarriage has been detailed to the standards required for cinema productions. Bat-gadgets such as the rear jet flame are completely functional."

Sold through RM Auctions the Batmobile was expected to draw big publicity and bucks so what happened? It's all in the fine print. A quick look reveals an insane list of conditions attached to the sale by movie studio, Warner Brothers. These included one that said the owner, now down almost $300,000, cannot drive the Batmobile in public. Ever.

You can read the rest of the conditions after the jump.-Martin Lynch

[RM Auctions]

Continued...

1.The Batmobile may only be exhibited at purchaser’s permanent location and at auto shows conducted at parks, schools and other similar public places but not at shopping malls, markets, department stores or commercial locations.

2. The Batmobile may only be exhibited in a stationary state and must be mechanically unable to be driven while on display to the general public and must comply with applicable fire codes.

3.The Batmobile may be driven solely when necessary for maintenance purposes and may never be driven while in public view.

4.No modifications, alternations or cosmetic changes of any kind can be made to the Batmobile nor can the Batmobile be reproduced in any way.

5. The Batmobile shall not be licensed, leased or otherwise made available to any third party for any reason.

6. The Batmobile may not be used, referred to, photographed or depicted in any advertisement, endorsement or promotion of any commercial establishment, product
or service of any kind.

7. The Batmobile may not be sold, transferred, leased or disposed of without prior written approval from Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

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