The Last Living Pontiac Club de Mer: Replica and Quarter-Scale Model Survive

Chrome Phantom - Back in the golden age of American car design, the 1950s were more than just tailfins and chrome. They were about imagination, experimentation, and the fearless pursuit of what the future of driving could look like. Concept cars weren’t simply machines; they were rolling dreams, often built not to hit the streets but to spark ideas and capture the public’s imagination. 

The 1956 Pontiac Club de Mer Concept is said the perfect setting for its resort club image. (Picture from: CarDesignNews)

Among the many futuristic creations of that era, one stood out for its daring proportions and jet-inspired styling: the Pontiac Club de Mer. Unveiled in 1956 at General Motors’ Motorama show, the Club de Mer looked more like a futuristic spacecraft than a car you might see at a diner. It was the brainchild of Harley Earl, GM’s legendary design chief, with Pontiac’s Paul Gillian bringing Earl’s bold vision to life. 

The 1956 Pontiac Club de Mer (front) sat along with the Oldsmobile Golden Rocket at the 1956 Motorama. (Picture from: CarDesignNews)

The concept was daring yet elegant: a sleek two-seater roadster inspired by supersonic fighter jets, featuring a stainless steel body, twin windscreens reminiscent of the 1955 Lincoln Futura (later the TV Batmobile), concealed headlights, and a striking dorsal fin cutting across the rear deck. Standing just under 39 inches tall, the car hugged the ground, its smooth, low-profile body giving the impression it could glide even while at rest. 

The Pontiac Club de Mer published on the 1956 GM Motorama's brochures. (Picture from: AMKlassiek)

Inside, the Club de Mer was stripped down compared to its futuristic skin but still had a flair for style. Red upholstery framed a cockpit that placed function over excess. A three-spoke GT-style steering wheel anchored the dash, with triangularly grouped gauges giving the driver just what was needed and nothing more. It was minimalism with a touch of showmanship—enough to make anyone sitting inside feel like they were piloting something ahead of its time.

Apart from the full-scale replica, the only other surviving piece of the 1956 Pontiac Club de Mer Concept is a quarter-scale model, which passed through several collectors before selling at auction in 2007 for $75,000. (Picture from: PlasticModelCars in Facebook)

Despite its daring design, GM never intended the Club de Mer for production. Like many Motorama concepts, it was built as a rolling prototype, a showpiece rather than a showroom car. Only one full-scale version and a quarter-scale model were ever made. The life-size prototype toured briefly before GM scrapped it in 1958, part of the company’s standard practice of recycling concept vehicles once their usefulness was over. The small-scale version, however, survived, changing hands between collectors before eventually selling at auction in 2007 for $75,000.

The 1956 Pontiac Club de Mer concept car (in pictured replica model by Marty Martino) launched for the first time to public at the GM's Motorama Show. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Yet the story of the Club de Mer didn’t simply fade away with the passing of time. Decades later, the car’s futuristic vision caught the attention of custom builder Marty Martino, a man known for bringing lost automotive dreams back to life. He believed the Club de Mer deserved more than just a place in the archives of forgotten prototypes—it deserved to exist as a real, working machine that could be admired not only for its looks but also for its engineering.

This reproduction version of 1956 Pontiac Club de Mer Concept's interior is faithful insisted to the original design. (Picture from: CarDesignNews)

In the early 2000s, Martino began an ambitious project that would take three years to complete. Starting with a 1959 Pontiac chassis, he painstakingly recreated the sleek bodywork while ensuring the car could actually run. Under the hood, he installed a Pontiac Strato Streak engine paired with a Jetaway Hydro-Matic 4-speed transmission, giving the replica both the presence and performance that the original concept never fully realized.

The 1956 Pontiac Club de Mer concept (in pictured replica model by Marty Martino) was inspired by contemporary aircraft designs at the time. (Picture from: AMKlassiek)

Unlike the 1956 prototype, which remained little more than a rolling display piece, Martino’s version was designed to be driven. It wasn’t just a tribute—it was a fully functional interpretation of Pontiac’s forgotten vision, blending authenticity with practicality. When it finally appeared at auction in 2009, the replica drew considerable attention and sold for $110,000, showing that the fascination surrounding the Club de Mer was far from extinguished.

Today, only Martino’s replica and the surviving quarter-scale model remain as lasting symbols of Pontiac’s daring experiment with futuristic design. Though the original was lost to history, the car’s legacy continues to echo through these rare survivors. Nearly seventy years after its debut, the Club de Mer still stirs the imagination, reminding us of a time when automakers were unafraid to dream boldly, challenge conventions, and craft machines that looked as if they had come straight from tomorrow. *** [EKA [15092020][24092022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BARRET-JACKSON | WIKIPEDIA | CARSCOOPS  | AMKLASSIEK | PLASTIC MODEL CARS IN FACEBOOK ]

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Here It Is: The First Batmobile That Started It All

Origin Machine - Long before sleek superhero blockbusters filled modern screens, the idea of a hero’s signature vehicle was already capturing imaginations. From futuristic gadgets to bold silhouettes, these machines became extensions of the characters themselves. Among them, one stands out not just for its look, but for its origin story—humble, creative, and surprisingly overlooked. Here it is the first Batmobile, a car that predates the famous TV version and carries a story as fascinating as the Dark Knight himself.

First official Batmobile built-in 1963 by Forrest Robinson. (Picture from: ComicBookResource)

This early Batmobile wasn’t born in a corporate studio or a Hollywood workshop, but in the hands of a young enthusiast named Forrest Robinson. At just 23 years old, he took a 1956 Oldsmobile 88 and transformed it into something straight out of comic book pages. Working alongside his friend Len Perham in the yard of his family home, Robinson infused the car with elements inspired by early Batman comics. One of its most striking features was a single, dramatic fin running along the center—an unusual design choice that gave the vehicle a distinct identity, echoing the bold and experimental spirit of mid-20th-century automotive styling.

A single large-fin in the middle as a characteristic of the early Batmobile.(Picture from: Merdeka)

The car itself was completed in 1963, quietly entering the world two years before the more widely recognized Batmobile—based on the Lincoln Futura concept—appeared on television. Unlike the polished, studio-backed versions that followed, Robinson’s creation had a raw charm. Its exterior carried a handcrafted aesthetic, blending comic-inspired imagination with the practical structure of a classic American car. While detailed records of the interior are scarce, it likely remained closer to the original Oldsmobile layout, making the contrast between its ordinary cabin and extraordinary exterior even more intriguing.

Rear side view of Forrest Robinson 1963 Batmobile. (Picture from: Merdeka)

At first, this Batmobile served a simple purpose: it was Robinson’s personal tribute to a character he admired. But as Batman’s popularity surged during the 1960s, the car caught wider attention. DC Comics eventually granted it an official license, turning it into a promotional vehicle. Repainted in the iconic black-and-red color scheme, it toured across the eastern United States and was introduced to the public as “Batman’s Batmobile,” even earning a mention in newspapers at the time. Despite its growing recognition, its moment in the spotlight was brief. When the TV version took over, Robinson decided to part with his creation, selling it for just $200—a figure that feels almost unreal today.

Time, however, has a way of restoring forgotten legends. Decades after being left to deteriorate like scrap, the car was rediscovered by Bobby Smith and later acquired by Toy Car Exchange LLC in 2013. Carefully restored, it finally received the appreciation it deserved, culminating in an auction in Dallas where it sold for $137,000 after opening at $90,000. What began as a passion project in a backyard had come full circle, evolving into a recognized piece of pop culture history. The first Batmobile may not be the most famous, but its story reflects something deeper—how creativity, fandom, and a bit of bold imagination can leave a lasting mark, even in the shadow of bigger, flashier icons. *** [EKA [03012015] [23042020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COMIC BOOK RESOURCES | TELEGRAPH ]

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The Excalibur RS: A Handcrafted Vision of American Automotive Imagination

Handbuilt Legacy - In the modern automotive world, where retro design is often recycled and rebranded, genuinely rare creations still manage to slip quietly under the radar. Some cars are not born from factories or market demands, but from long-held ideas that refuse to fade. The Excalibur RS belongs to that quieter, more personal category—a machine that bridges imagination, patience, and craftsmanship, and only reveals its story once you slow down enough to notice its details.

The Excalibur RS immediately feels cinematic, with its elongated nose projecting forward with intent and twin short rear fins shaping a dramatic, almost batmobile-like silhouette. (Picture from: WordlessTech)

At first glance, the Excalibur RS feels almost cinematic. Its elongated front nose stretches forward with purpose, while the rear is punctuated by twin short fins that give it a dramatic, almost batmobile-like silhouette. The proportions are unconventional yet deliberate, reinforcing its identity as a racing-inspired prototype rather than a conventional road car. Influences from classic endurance racers are evident, particularly in the Ford GT40-inspired front end, but the overall shape remains unmistakably its own, blending fantasy with mechanical intent. 

The Excalibur RS carries unconventional yet purposeful proportions that reinforce its identity as a racing-inspired prototype rather than a typical road car. (Picture from: WordlessTech)

This car traces its origins to designer Brooks Stevens, a name deeply woven into American automotive creativity. The Excalibur RS was commissioned by Bob Shaw, with contributions from Dave Draper, and conceived as a modern evolution of Stevens’ earlier Excalibur sports roadster concept from 1959. While the original RS never progressed beyond scale models, the Excalibur sports roadster became the physical realization of that vision decades later. Shaw’s commitment to the project was extraordinary, stretching across ten years and involving an investment that far exceeded practicality, driven purely by belief in the idea. 

The Excalibur RS rests on a steel tube space frame chassis built by Chuck Rahn beneath its sculpted aluminum body, which was hand-formed over more than three years to achieve both structural rigidity and lightweight precision. (Picture from: WordlessTech)

Beneath the sculpted aluminum body lies a steel tube space frame chassis built by Chuck Rahn, providing both rigidity and a lightweight foundation. The bodywork itself was hand-formed from aluminum, a process that took more than three years to complete. Every curve reflects hours of shaping rather than mass production, reinforcing the car’s status as a true one-off prototype. This slow, deliberate construction process stands in sharp contrast to today’s rapid development cycles, making the Excalibur RS feel almost rebellious in its refusal to be rushed. 

The Excalibur RS features a cabin that blends refined craftsmanship with subtle theatrical flair, highlighted by leather-trimmed fiberglass moldings and engine-turned aluminum panels reminiscent of classic race car interiors. (Picture from: WordlessTech)

Inside, the cabin balances craftsmanship with a touch of theatrical flair. Fiberglass moldings are trimmed in leather, complemented by engine-turned aluminum panels that echo classic race car interiors. A removable steering wheel adds to its motorsport character, while modern conveniences quietly blend in. The scissor doors—reminiscent of the Lamborghini Murciélago—along with the hood and deck lid, are all power-operated at the push of a button. Even the polycarbonate windshield reinforces the car’s racing roots while keeping weight in check. 

The Excalibur RS features power-operated scissor doors inspired by the Lamborghini Murciélago, along with a button-controlled hood and deck lid, while its polycarbonate windshield underscores its lightweight racing character. (Picture from: WordlessTech)

Power comes from a 5.7-liter General Motors V8 crate engine, equipped with Edelbrock throttle-body fuel injection, tubular headers, and bespoke valve covers produced by Shaw’s own craftsmen. The engine is paired with a GM 700R4 automatic transmission, forming a drivetrain that prioritizes usable torque and mechanical dependability rather than chasing attention through raw performance figures alone. | qQA_2Itkp4c |

Finished in Mercedes-Benz Mystic Blue Metallic and Pearl White, punctuated by confident Brilliant Red accents, the Excalibur RS stands as a physical expression of long-term commitment rather than commercial ambition. It represents a rare meeting point between an earlier design philosophy and modern craftsmanship, shaped over years by persistence, belief, and restraint—an automotive idea allowed to mature fully before finally taking form. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WORDLESSTECH ]

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This 1962 Ford Thunderbird Is Unlike Any Other

Rolling Sculpture - Cars have always been more than machines that simply carry us from one place to another. For decades, some have served as canvases for imagination, where builders push the limits of design until a vehicle no longer feels like it belongs on the road. These creations stop being just transportation—they become art pieces on wheels. And among the most unforgettable examples is a one-of-a-kind Ford Thunderbird from 1962, a car draped in stunning Antifreeze Green Metallic that looks like it rolled straight out of a dream. 

The 1962 Ford Thunderbird. (Picture from: ClassicCars)

This stunning Thunderbird may have started life as a recognizable Ford coupe, but today it stands as a rolling sculpture. The transformation is so complete that while you can still trace its roots back to Dearborn, Michigan, the car feels galaxies away from factory form. Its shimmering green finish seems alive, glowing under the light in a way that makes it impossible to ignore. The body has been reimagined with seamless flow, stripped of trim and badges for a clean, uninterrupted look. Even the door handles are gone, leaving behind a glass-smooth surface. Up front, the grille has been reshaped into a sharp brow above the headlights, while the rear features flat red taillights styled like retro-futuristic bullets ready to fire.

The 1962 Ford Thunderbird. (Picture from: ClassicCars)

Then there’s the roof, perhaps the most jaw-dropping detail of all. Instead of the standard Thunderbird hardtop, this machine wears a dramatic bubble canopy made of plexiglass, held in place by a custom stainless-steel frame. It looks like something from a 1960s sci-fi comic, with just a hint of Batmobile flair in its swooping curves. The canopy can even be removed, adding to its show-stopping presence. Turbine-style hubcaps and rear fender skirts complete the theatrical stance, giving the car a low, sleek, and otherworldly silhouette. 

The 1962 Ford Thunderbird. (Picture from: ClassicCars)

Step inside, and the fantasy continues. The doors are finished in body-matching green with ivory leatherette accents, while the bucket seats combine ivory leather with bold green alligator-patterned inserts. The steering wheel is a crescent-shaped masterpiece with a gleaming chrome jewel at its center, unlike anything seen in a factory car. The dashboard is less of a dashboard and more of a sculpture, with Dolphin gauges set against a snakeskin-patterned background. Flowing down the middle, a center console made of cascading metal rods serves no practical purpose except to be art—proof that not every element of a car needs a function to be unforgettable. Even the pedals are custom, embossed with unique designs to keep the theme alive right down to the floor. 

The 1962 Ford Thunderbird. (Picture from: ClassicCars)

Beneath its custom hood beats a bright red 390-cubic-inch V8 topped with a 4-barrel carburetor, paired to a Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission. Power is sent to a Ford 9-inch rear end with 3.00 gears, while stopping power comes from drum brakes all around. The undercarriage shows signs of age, with surface rust and patches, but this car was never built for daily commutes—it was built to dazzle.

The 1962 Ford Thunderbird. (Picture from: ClassicCars)

And dazzle it does. When eased onto the road, it cruises smoothly, with lights and signals still in working order. Yet this isn’t the type of car you casually drive through town. It’s the kind of machine that stops traffic, gathers crowds, and becomes the center of attention everywhere it appears.

The 1962 Ford Thunderbird. (Picture from: ClassicCars)

What makes this Thunderbird so extraordinary isn’t just the scale of its transformation, but the way it still retains a thread of its original identity. It’s wild, theatrical, and unapologetically crafted for the spotlight, collecting Best of Show awards wherever it goes. In a world where custom cars often blur together, this one stands as a singular vision—equal parts Thunderbird and fantasy. | iEZ9PSJNRhc |

More than sixty years after leaving the factory, this 1962 Ford Thunderbird survives not as a relic of the past, but as proof of what happens when creativity refuses to follow rules. It shows that a car can be more than a machine—it can be a dream you can see, touch, and, in rare moments, even drive. ***  [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICCARS ]

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Lady Penelope’s FAB 1 – The Six-Wheeled 'Rolls-Royce' Limo That Refused to Die

Unstoppable Icon - Sometimes a car is more than just a car. Some machines manage to slip out of the ordinary world of wheels and engines, and step straight into the realm of legend. Few vehicles illustrate this better than a shocking pink Rolls-Royce that simply refused to die. Rolls-Royce themselves tried to erase it from existence, yet FAB 1—the car of Lady Penelope from the cult TV show Thunderbirds—is still around, celebrating its 60th anniversary as one of the strangest and most fascinating automotive stories ever told.

The real-life replica of the ‘FAB 1’ limousine, a bright pink Rolls-Royce fantasy car created for Lady Penelope in the 1960s cult series Thunderbirds, was built to chauffeur Gerry and Sylvia Anderson to the 1968 premiere of Thunderbirds Are Go. (Pictured from: TheTelegraph)

DragonTT Hero: The Futuristic Audi TT Too Wild to Be a Batmobile

Defiant Futurism - When we think about futuristic cars, most of us imagine sleek concepts locked away in motor shows, prototypes that will never hit the streets. But every now and then, a project comes along that challenges this idea. Enter DragonTT Hero, a machine so radical in its design that it makes ordinary “tuned” cars look like toys. It’s an Audi TT at heart, but at first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking it just rolled out of a sci-fi movie set. Some even joke that it’s too strange to be Batman’s car—and that’s exactly the point. 

The DragonTT Hero is so radical in design that while built on an Audi TT, it looks more like a sci-fi movie creation than a tuned car. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

DragonTT, a Spanish-Italian design house that started life back in 1998 modifying motorcycles before moving into car projects, has always had a taste for the unconventional. Based near Madrid, the team wanted to create something that would turn heads, but also send a message about sustainability and innovation. Their answer was Proyecto Hero, a re-imagined Audi TT (8J) that looks like it was inspired by a crossover between Transformers and a space shuttle. Built for the Spain Future Foundation, the car doesn’t just aim to shock with its appearance—it carries an ecological side too, thanks to its LPG hybrid system that actually qualifies it for an Eco label. 

The DragonTT Hero transforms the once-sporty coupe into a wide-bodied beast clad in fiberglass or carbon fiber, with sharp edges, exaggerated fenders, a nearly ground-scraping front shield, and doors and mirrors reshaped into dramatic, alien-like appendages. (Picture from: Largus.fr)

The visual overhaul is jaw-dropping. The Hero’s body has been stretched by over half a meter, measuring 4.71 meters long and more than two meters wide. What used to be a sporty little coupe is now a wide-bodied beast dressed in fiberglass and optional carbon fiber, bristling with sharp edges, exaggerated fenders, and a front shield that practically scrapes the ground. Even the doors and mirrors were redesigned with dramatic, almost alien-like appendages, while the rear is fitted with massive air extractors and pseudo-jet nozzles illuminated in blue. To complete the look, 20-inch rims and adjustable racing suspension make sure the car doesn’t just look like it’s ready for lift-off, but also grips the road with purpose. 

The DragonTT Hero stretches over half a meter longer into a 4.71-meter, two-meter-wide beast clad in fiberglass or carbon fiber, with sharp edges, flared fenders, and a front shield that nearly scrapes the ground. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

Yet the Hero isn’t just a crazy costume for the Audi TT. Beneath the wild skin, DragonTT upgraded the suspension, brakes, and wheels to ensure the car can back up its presence with performance. Depending on the base engine, conversions can be done on TT models ranging from 200 horsepower to the mighty 340-hp TT RS. Despite the swollen dimensions, the Hero manages to stay relatively light—between 1,335 and 1,515 kg—preserving the agility that the TT is known for.

The DragonTT Hero continues its transformation inside with a redesigned dashboard, futuristic touchscreen, and seating for four in a cabin that feels more like a concept car cockpit than a road-legal coupe. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

Step inside, and the transformation continues, though in a slightly calmer tone than the exterior chaos. The dashboard was completely redesigned to house a futuristic touchscreen multimedia system. The cabin still seats up to four people, keeping the practicality of the TT, but wrapped in an environment that feels more like the cockpit of a concept car than a road-legal coupe. 

The DragonTT Hero features massive rear air extractors with blue-lit pseudo-jet nozzles, complemented by 20-inch rims and adjustable racing suspension that make it look ready for lift-off while ensuring purposeful grip on the road.. (Picture from: BlackXperience)

What makes DragonTT Hero fascinating isn’t only its design but its purpose. This wasn’t created as a collector’s one-off or a showpiece destined to stay locked away. The car is approved for road use, and DragonTT even sells the kit for those bold enough to take on the transformation themselves. Its creation for the Spain Future Foundation also ties it to a mission beyond pure aesthetics: the organization supports technology in education and healthcare, so Hero becomes more than a flashy experiment—it’s also a conversation starter about the intersection of wild design, performance, and responsibility toward the environment. | rM6UAqTAm6M |

At a time when car design often plays it safe, DragonTT’s Hero dares to look ridiculous, futuristic, and inspiring all at once. It doesn’t try to blend in; it exists to spark debate, to push limits, and to prove that sustainability doesn’t need to come dressed in bland packaging. Whether viewed as stunning or absurd, the Hero earns its name as a bold presence in the automotive world—too unusual to be a Batmobile yet too real to be dismissed as fantasy, much like the Japanese-built DragStar F1 Dragon. and The Beast. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DRAGONTT | LARGUS.FR | TUNINGBLOG.EU | BLACKXPERIENCE ]

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The 1955 Lincoln Futura: Iconic Concept Car That Inspired the Batmobile

Futuristic Legend - The 1950s were a golden era for automotive imagination. Cars weren’t just transportation—they were statements of style, engineering daring, and a glimpse into the future. Among the most extraordinary creations of this period stands the 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept, a hand-built marvel that blurred the line between science fiction and reality. Designed to turn heads and push the boundaries of design, the Futura wasn’t just a showpiece—it was a fully functioning vehicle that captured the public’s imagination and left a mark on car culture for decades.

The 1955 Lincoln Futura, a hand-built classic-futuristic marvel, and officially debuted at the Chicago Auto Show on January 8, instantly capturing attention with its futuristic aura. (Picture from: FordAuthority)

The Futura began its life in 1954 when Ford’s Lincoln division tasked the celebrated Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin to craft a one-of-a-kind concept car. The design team, led by Bill Schmidt and John Najjar, envisioned something that would feel otherworldly, a bold move at a time when tailfins and chrome already symbolized progress. Schmidt’s inspiration came from an unexpected source—diving near a shark—which sparked the sleek, aggressive lines that would define the Futura. The car was unveiled to the press on January 5, 1955, and officially debuted at the Chicago Auto Show on January 8, instantly capturing attention with its futuristic aura.

The 1955 Lincoln Futura built by the celebrated Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin. (Picture from: UndiscoveredClassics)

What set the Futura apart from many concept cars of its time was its functionality. It wasn’t a static display; it ran, drove, and featured a 368-cubic-inch Lincoln engine. The body showcased massive tailfins, exaggerated headlight pods, and the signature double clear-plastic canopy, giving it a spaceship-like appearance. Its original pearlescent white paint was unlike anything seen before—a labor-intensive creation where Ghia ground and mixed fish scales into the paint to achieve the shimmering effect that made the car truly unique at a cost of $250,000 (equivalent to $2,900,000 in 2024).

TThe Lincoln Futura stood out from many concept cars of its era for its full functionality, running and driving with a 368-cubic-inch Lincoln engine rather than serving as a static display. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

The Futura toured the United States in 1955, appearing on shows like The Today Show and attracting nationwide fascination. Its influence trickled down into production models—the Lincoln Premiere and Lincoln Capri borrowed subtle elements, while the grille design inspired Mercury and Ford models in 1960. Even as a show car, it became iconic, appearing in the 1959 film It Started With a Kiss, where it was temporarily repainted red for better on-camera visibility.

The Lincoln Futura featured massive tailfins, exaggerated headlight pods, and its signature double clear-plastic canopy, giving the car a striking, spaceship-like appearance. (Picture from: UndiscoveredClassics)

After its cinematic stint, the Futura entered the hands of legendary customizer George Barris, who acquired the car from Ford for a symbolic $1. Sitting idle for several years due to insurance challenges, it was eventually transformed into something even more iconic: the Batmobile. | aTlgeLq_Kg0 |

In 1966, when the Batman television series urgently required a hero car, George Barris saw the untapped potential of the Lincoln Futura. With metal craftsman Bill Cushenbery, he reshaped its dramatic fins and signature bubble canopy into what became the legendary Batmobile. To support the show circuit, Barris later produced three fiberglass replicas built on 1966 Ford Galaxie frames and drivetrains, and eventually added a fourth version—a metal-bodied car based on a 1958 Ford Thunderbird—securing the Futura’s enduring legacy in automotive history.

The first Batmobile was crafted in 1966 by George Barris, based on the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept, for the Batman television series of that era. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

In the 1990s, Bob Butts, with George Barris’ consent, produced several Batmobile replicas using molds from one of Barris’ originals, and later, based on pictures of the original Futura from the 1950s, he reskinned one of those Batmobile replicas that he crafted back into the form of the Lincoln Futura, creating a single faithful recreation of the concept car.

The first Lincoln Futura replica was crafted in the 1990s by Bob Butts, using one of his Batmobile replicas and period photos of the original 1950s Futura as references to create a faithful recreation of the concept car. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Later, another replicas have been recreated, such as the work by Gotham Garage which aired on the Netflix series Car Masters: Rust to Riches in September, 2018, which rebuilt a fiberglass shell into an accurate Lincoln Futura. When finished, the replica Futura was eventually sold at the Grand National Roadster Show at the Pomona Fairplex for approximately $90,000.

This Lincoln Futura was a replica crafted in 2018 by Gotham Garage and featured on the Netflix series Car Masters: Rust to Riches in September. (Picture from: Carbuzz)

Even today, the 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept remains a symbol of daring design and automotive artistry. It’s a reminder of an era when cars were built not just to move people, but to inspire them, to push creative and engineering boundaries, and to imagine a future where the road itself seemed like a launchpad to adventure. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FORDAUTHORITY | STORY-CARS | UNDISCOVEREDCLASSICS | AUTOEVOLUTION | CARBUZZ | DEANGARAGE | WIKIPEDIA ]

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