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1972 Batmobile WiP |
spencer1984
Posts: 1271
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: 30.06.05
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| Posted on 24-03-2008 22:35 |
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I decided to start in on a new Batmobile model, as the 70s era is severely lacking in my collection. I'm building this car, from Batman #264:
Using this as the base:
There were a few changes to Corvettes between ’69 and ’72, but since the overall body remained the same and the comic did not specify a particular year I felt it was a safe choice. I started by taking the emblems off the body to give it a slicker look. I considered filling in the gill vents as well, but practicality won out (these Corvettes were notorious for overheating, especially in city traffic). Once the emblems and mold separation lines were removed, the body was painted Nassau Blue and clear coated:
The chassis was built straight out of the box. All of the suspension sub-assemblies were put together and painted, then added to the main chassis pan. The only wheels provided in the kit were the low profile tires and oversized wheels, so I raided my parts box for tires and used a set of hubcaps from a ’71 Impala to look more like what appeared in the comic:
I had to debate about the engine for a bit. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to use the kit-supplied 427, move up to the 454, or replace it with some fantasy engine at first. I decided against the fantasy engine to keep with the realistic theme of the comic. I then decided to keep the kit-supplied 427, but give it a bit more power with an under-the-hood supercharger (this decision helped with my above-mentioned choice about keeping the fender gills, plus it required the big block hood option). The supercharger came from a Hot Wheels Radio Flyer and required very little work to fit:
I drilled out the distributor and added spark plug wires. I will probably add more wiring as I go, but I’m not sure how detailed I want to get yet:
The last major component that I needed to work on was the interior. Again, this will be pretty much box stock. I kept with the monochromatic look here, and painted the seats, dashboard, door panels, and main bucket silvery blue. The carpet and center console were painted a contrasting black, and the bare metal elements were painted silver:<
Batman still needs to keep in touch, but the bright red Batphone would be really out of place in here. Instead, I made a simple black handset on the center console, with a cord that will go into the dashboard once that is added:
At this point, the paint and glue have to have a chance to dry, so I will be leaving it alone for a few days. My next steps will be adding interior and engine details, and body trim.
The complete history of the Batmobile: BatmobileHistory.com
Scale models of Batmobiles & more: spencer1984.com |
 
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RE: 1972 Batmobile WiP |
deane
Posts: 39
Joined: 01.01.07
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| Posted on 25-03-2008 09:15 |
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It's gorgeous! I love that body colour- what brand is it? It captures Bronze Age Batman-blue!
For my birthday last week, I got a Hasegawa kit of the Lamborghini Miura, along with the Studio 27 "Grade Up" accessory pack, in anticipation of my upcoming Bronze Age builds.
I don't have very many comix from this era of Batman (post-Robin going to Hudson University), do you?
Deane |
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| Author |
RE: 1972 Batmobile WiP |
spencer1984
Posts: 1271
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: 30.06.05
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| Posted on 25-03-2008 21:12 |
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Thanks! The color is Nassau Blue Metallic by Model Master. I got it specifically for this car, as it just looked perfect for the blue ink used in this era and is a correct vintage GM color (not for this particular car, but who cares  ).
I got the Lambo Jota from Hasegawa for a future Bronze Age build. They're great kits, and I'm looking forward to it. That era is kind of the beginning of my collection...I have a bunch of the Golden Age comics as collected volumes, very few Silver Age, and quite a few Modern Age. The Bronze Age is kind of a middle ground for me, and one of the places I'm filling in as I go.
The complete history of the Batmobile: BatmobileHistory.com
Scale models of Batmobiles & more: spencer1984.com |
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RE: 1972 Batmobile WiP |
deane
Posts: 39
Joined: 01.01.07
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| Posted on 25-03-2008 22:37 |
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spencer1984 wrote:
Thanks! The color is Nassau Blue Metallic by Model Master. I got it specifically for this car, as it just looked perfect for the blue ink used in this era and is a correct vintage GM color (not for this particular car, but who cares ).
Great!
spencer1984 wrote:
I got the Lambo Jota from Hasegawa for a future Bronze Age build. They're great kits, and I'm looking forward to it. That era is kind of the beginning of my collection...I have a bunch of the Golden Age comics as collected volumes, very few Silver Age, and quite a few Modern Age. The Bronze Age is kind of a middle ground for me, and one of the places I'm filling in as I go.
Hey, the Studio 27 Grade Up includes parts for the Jota as well as the Miura. Would you like them? They look like a challenge!
I have all of the DC ARCHIVES for Batman-related stuff, which is ALMOST collected all of the Golden Age. My Atomic Age Fifties collection is pretty decent and I have an okay "New Look" Silver Age set. Bronze is definitely my weak spot, save for a complete collection of Batman in BRAVE & BOLD. I pretty much stopped reading monthly Batman comix at KILLING JOKE, until Grant Morrison's recent run on BATMAN, which may tempt me back.
Your vette is stunning and I look forward to reading more!
Deane |
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| Author |
RE: 1972 Batmobile WiP |
spencer1984
Posts: 1271
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: 30.06.05
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| Posted on 02-04-2008 06:57 |
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This week’s work focused primarily on adding detail work to all the major components. First up was the interior:
The biggest addition from last time was the portable Batcomputer. Introduced in 1964, Batman’s computer has proven to be one of his most effective weapons in his war on crime. A portable version of the machine was added to the trunk of the 1966 TV series Batmobile, to assist Batman when he was away from the cave. As time went on, the computer became an integral part of the Batmobile, but during the early years it remained a separate unit.
It seems reasonable that Batman would adopt an in-car computer as soon as possible, but rather than adopt a "real world" computer the TV series used a generic box with lights and labels added to make it look important. Whenever possible, I like to include vintage equipment in my Batmobile models, and since a computer was never specified in this comic book I had a bit of freedom. After a trip to old-computers.com, I had my candidate: a Datapoint 2200, the first microprocessor-based computer and a powerful machine (for the time) that sold for a whopping $14,000 (about $65,000 in current US dollars).
I recreated the case and front of the machine in Illustrator, then built the unit out of plastic and card stock and mounted it on a tray in the rear cargo area. To access the machine, Batman would simply have to fold the passenger’s seat forward and swing out the tray.
My other major job was to move the engine further along. I added the stock belt assembly, modified the crankshaft (bottom) pulley for a supercharger drive belt, scratchbuilt the supercharger pulley, and tied everything together with a belt made from craft ribbon:
I also added the carburetor bells, fuel lines, radiator, and hoses. To wrap up the underside, I added coil springs made from wire:
Finally, I painted the inside of the body shell flat black. There will always be areas where the inside of the body shows, and nothing ruins the look of a finished model quite like seeing an arc of white plastic through a grille or fender opening. Painting the inside of the body flat black is a simple way to eliminate future trouble spots:
My next steps will be to add the taillights & license plate bracket (they need to be installed from inside the body), finish the dashboard, and assemble the three major components.
The complete history of the Batmobile: BatmobileHistory.com
Scale models of Batmobiles & more: spencer1984.com |
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RE: 1972 Batmobile WiP |
deane
Posts: 39
Joined: 01.01.07
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| Posted on 03-04-2008 21:59 |
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Beautiful job conceptualizing the engine and modified interior crime-lab accessories!
It's looking great!
Deane |
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RE: 1972 Batmobile WiP |
real-dark-knight
Posts: 726
Location: The Shadow Of St Albans Abbey
Joined: 28.07.06
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| Posted on 06-04-2008 13:30 |
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As always, that looks fantastic! |
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RE: 1972 Batmobile WiP |
spencer1984
Posts: 1271
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: 30.06.05
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| Posted on 07-04-2008 21:55 |
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Thanks, guys! This week I was able to complete the final assembly and detail work. With the modifications done, the remainder of the kit went together as per the instructions. Although I didn’t have any extra room to spare under the hood, everything fits like it should:
You can see the last few details I added, including the upper radiator hose, master cylinder with booster, and wiper motor.
While I removed all of the original Corvette trim, I did add one thing: a photoetched Bat Emblem, left over from a previous build. It fit too perfectly on the fuel door for me to not use it:
The final assembly included putting together the three major components (chassis, interior, and body), then adding the grille, bumpers, lights, and side pipes. I used Bare Metal Foil for the window trim, door handles, and door locks, and then finished it with a quick polishing:
The complete history of the Batmobile: BatmobileHistory.com
Scale models of Batmobiles & more: spencer1984.com |
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| Author |
RE: 1972 Batmobile WiP |
deane
Posts: 39
Joined: 01.01.07
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| Posted on 21-04-2008 22:59 |
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Great job, as usual! |
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| Author |
RE: 1972 Batmobile WiP |
spencer1984
Posts: 1271
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: 30.06.05
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| Posted on 25-04-2008 20:28 |
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Thanks!
The complete history of the Batmobile: BatmobileHistory.com
Scale models of Batmobiles & more: spencer1984.com |
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