Car creator puts 80 icons on the block

Washington Times ^ | May 10, 2005 | UPI

[uglybiker]

Los Angeles, CA, May. 10 (UPI) -- The man who built the cars and trucks for generations of Hollywood movies is selling 80 of his icons, but will keep his all-time prize -- the Batmobile.

George Barris said Saturday's auction in at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles will take advantage of an auto market that has "gone ballistic."

[mysterio]

I always loved the General Lee as a kid. Sorry to hear they destroyed so many Chargers, though. That was a fine automobile, much more attractive and appealing than cars of today.

[Hank Rearden]

Am I the only FReeper who has planted his (much younger) butt in both the original Batmobile and the original James Bond Aston Martin?

And no, the damn seat didn't go "sproing" when I pushed the button inside the gearshift knob. I'm still annoyed about that.

[xp38]

It was also the car the baddies drove in the famous chase in Bullitt. The General Lee probably got some inspiration from that.

[xp38]

Q: Now this one I'm particularly keen about. You see the gear lever here? Now, if you take the top off, you will find a little red button. Whatever you do, don't touch it.

James Bond: Yeah, why not?

Q: Because you'll release this section of the roof, and engage and then fire the passenger ejector seat. Whish!

James Bond: Ejector seat? You're joking!

Q: I never joke about my work, 007

I guess Q was joking after all. :)

[Bommer]

I still think the original Batmobile is one of the coolest cars ever made. If I had the money, I would stop at nothing to buy one of them.

Amen to that Brutha! Amen!

[uglybiker]

from a proud owner of one of these.. and one of these ...

Yeah, but do they look like that?

[xcamel]

Indeed they do.

[uglybiker]

Unfortunately my '69 still looks like this.

But that should change over the next few months.

[xcamel]

Off to a mighty good start..