1955 Lincoln Futura; Future Superhero Ride

Every year the automakers hold a showcase for their new models along with concept and experimental cars. While many are preliminary teasers of what is to come in a few years, others are one-offs that were probably never serious but are attention grabbers for the automotive press.

In 1955, Ford presented the Lincoln Futura, with massive fins and a bubble top consistent with the flying car fantasies of the 50's

Detroit, We Have a Problem!

Powered by the early version of the Ford 390 (6.4 L) V8 to power its massive length, the Futura probably would have gathered dust in a Ford warehouse had it not drawn the interest of Hollywood.

The car starred with Glenn Ford and Debbie Reynolds in It Started With a Kiss and then after production was sold to Southern California car craftsman George Barris. The car never had a title registered with the DMV and couldn't be insured, therefore it was probably up on blocks when Barris got hired by the producers of the 1966 television version of Batman.

The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado originally being customized as the Batmobile couldn't be completed in time for production. Fortunately, Barris remembered that the old Futura drying up in his back yard could easily be fabricated into the Caped Crusader's ride with some sheet metal tweaks, a paint job, 60's muscle car Crager wheels and a few gadgets screwed on.

To me there was no cooler car in the world when I was in 3rd grade. My classmates and I probably drove the folks nuts with the repetitive singing of the surfer song type guitar instrumental theme with the single "BATMAN" lyric.

Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel!