Coventry Batmobile

In 1967 Bill Aston bought one of the Batmobiles from the TV series. This was restored at Astons of Coventry, Tony Aston resprayed it. It was on display at Melford House, Warwick Road. Bill Aston charged 2/6d to view, all proceeds to charity. He also had two employees dressed as Batman and Robin. The car was sold a year later, all proceeds to charity. Does anyone remember even better - do they have a picture standing with the Batmobile or Batman/Robin. It was featured in the Coventry Evening Telegraph, Birmingham Post and the Daily Mirror.

I remember the Batmobile well. It was smack opposite the old school ("at the top of the hill"), and we could see it for free (ok, not close up) from a classroom at the front. That would have been late 60s, maybe as late as 1970. I wasn't aware there were several Batmobiles; we thought there was just the Batmobile.

Is this your website Astons? Picture at the bottom from the Telegraph?

The Daily Mirror of 19th July 1967 reports that actor Peter Howard Johnson was caught driving 'the' Batmobile over the speed limit of 60 mph at Dunstable after hurriedly leaving an event in Luton due to the overwhelming crowds. He also had no road fund license on display and couldn't produce an insurance certificate. He was fined £12. The article did not contain a picture to determine if this was the same vehicle but it states the car was based on a Chrysler. An article in the same newspaper on 17th August 1968 says the car was bought by William Aston for £45, so presumably it was not in good condition.

Hey, in 1968 you could buy a runner with tax and mot for £45.

According to Google there were four Batmobiles made for the original film, one with a steel body which was used for the main filming, and three with fibreglass bodies which presumably were used for promotional work. Assuming that the one purchased by Mr Aston was one of the fibreglass bodied cars then his company Light Cars would have had no problems restoring the bodywork because they were the local agents for Reliant cars which also had a fibreglass body. There are Alamy Stock Photographs from 1967 on the internet showing the pop group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich posing on a Batmobile in London.

Yes I started that size, time stopped me finishing Picture is from Telegraph

Lots of stories how many there were. I was told eight. Some were mock ups. The original was based on a Lincoln Futura, a concept car. The one Bill has was definitely steel

Also, Coventry Evening Telegraph 17 August 1968,