1/6 Batman 1989: Batmobile Collectible Vehicle - Specs & Pics

[Stratmeister]

I like the tumbler for it being a brute, and I like the 89 for it's elegance. I think I actually like batmobiles more than the batman character

Good point. The cars in a real sense are also important characters. They have their own "personalities". I don't dislike the Tumbler, it
has it's own rugged thing going, it's interesting. I think maybe it has just too strong a military feel. Possibly a bit miscast for Batman.
I really like the 89. And I'm old enough to have watched the TV series when it was first broadcast. And it was just as cool to see the
66 Batmobile as it was seeing the one in the 89 film version. Both very cool. Some things stand the test of time better than others.
The 66 has withstood that test pretty well. I think the 89 has so far too. We'll see how the Tumbler holds up over the next few decades. I have a feeling it will not do as well as the other two.

 

[DarkMagic]

I prefer the Tumbler. It is clearly the greatest Batmobile of all time. Anyone that disagrees is just being coy.

That said, I only own 4 versions of the Nolan Batmobile, and more than 20 models of the Burton Batmobile, in several different scales, from several different companies, including the virtual one in my signature, that I rendered for fun.

There are a lot of people who are fans of several interpretations of Batman, no matter how they spend their collectibles budget money. Just recently I noticed people complimenting sfa's collection of mostly Timmverse and Arkhamverse Batman figures, noting that it was one of the Nolan-free collections (despite the inclusion of an easy-to-miss Tumbler). Sfa's response was that he actually likes the Nolan movies, but didn't feel the need to get any figures from it. If he said he liked it, that's all there is to it. He doesn't have to buy more (or any) merch from it to prove he does.

 

[morphosis]

Yeah, but I'm sure some guys here prefer literally every aspect of Nolan-anything to what came before, or after. There's like this unwavering fanaticism with those suits, caves, planes and cars. The whole "well I like them all" just seems like an obligatory preface, especially after that is followed by "but I like Nolan's more". The one person that I truly believe has a genuine love for it all on here is Batfan, Tony Meis and the Professor.

Sure I prefer Nolan's Batman more than Burton's if I had to chose, but I still love Burtons and also 66-68 Batman. Ill buy every Burton Batman they do from 89 and Returns, im just not into Kilmer and Clooney's Batman. Pretty much anything Batman Ill buy, just not Kilmer and Clooney. And since I don't have endless funds, I dont collect the smaller figures as much anymore except for a select few, i mainly just collect HTs. But that doesn't make me any less or more of a fan than others. I just don't spend every dime I have on it. I could, but i dont

It seems a little hive minded in this section in particular. It's like it's always Nolan > everything else. I think it's especially apparent when you see people in this very collectible community that claim that they like or love all of the interpretations, but don't have the time or money for them. Case in point ("I want a 4th Begins suit Batman, c'mon Hot Toys", what about the DX 09 Batman? "Oh I like it, but I can't get that one right now"). They'll pay major $$$ for a tenth custom Ledger Joker or another Diorama for their third Tumbler, but nothing 60s show/Burton/Animated related. It just feels a tad pretentious to me. I'm not saying anyone here in this thread is guilty of that, but it does seem prominent. I'm all for focuses, but it strikes me as odd when people who claim to like it all, only stick with one damn theme in excess. The "Show your Batman Collection" and custom threads are the best example of this.

thing is, who cares if someone like Nolan over Burton or vice versa. Im sure there are Batman fans out there they haven't liked any of the films. I do love just about all interpretations of Batman, just not Kilmer and Clooney. Those are really the only 2 I would never buy. I have bought everything HTs has done with Batman so far except the 89 Batmobile and the Camo Tumbler. I just dont have the space and because Im waiting for the 66 Batmobile, and the 1/12 Bat if that ever happens. But I have everything else, even have the EB Batman and Medicom stuff, but sold the Medi stuff to buy HTs. Just kept the Takara. However, if HTs ever did the 89 Batplane, i would have to order that. Also when the HTs 89 came out, i just had too many other things on PO. Id like to get it someday, but probably have to pay an arm and a leg for it.

You can't blame people if they don't have endless funds, and if they have to choose they pick just Nolan. Im sure people would love to be able to buy everything, but some just cant. I own a replica 1:1 Begins suit, Id love to own an 89, but I dont have the $5k to get it and I dont have the crazy $$ to buy screen used, but I would if i could. I consider myself an overall Batman fan, I just focus more on Nolan's Trilogy because there are a lot of great things you can collect from it, and its been my preferred Batman in film to the others.

Sure, at the end of the day it's only "my opinion", but I do truly believe that the '89 Batmobile (and 60s Batmobile) are subjectively better looking vehicles than the Tumbler (and anyone that says otherwise is simply being coy). It's just one of those things. The Gary Oldman Gordon is clearly better than the Pat Hingle Gordon, just like the '89 Batmobile is clearly better than the Tumbler. Nathan Crowley, the designer of most of the Nolan Bat-World, claims a Lamborghini and Humvee were inspirations for the Tumbler, and I believe him. The finished product however, does not resemble either. Look at a Lambo, it's elegant, sleek and beautiful. The Tumbler is neither. Look at a Humvee, it's a flat, tough truck. What element did the Tumbler take from it? Nothing but maybe it's panels (which the Tumbler clearly over does with it's front, sides, and flaps. Crowley himself referred to the combination and outcome itself as "ugly" in the making of featurette, it's own designer. I don't think I'm far off with my assessments.

I never got the tank comments (other than, again, forced Goyer-Nolan exposition where the cops claim it appeared to be "a tank"). I've seen all the Bat-Vehicles in person, 60s to 2008, and the Tumbler is one of the smallest. The '89 vehicle is much larger and stronger looking with it's length and sturdy design alone. A tank has tracks, where are the Tumbler's tracks? A tank has a haul, skirt plating, the familiar cupola/turret rig. Where are those things on the Tumbler? There's not a single thing in "real life", that resembles the Tumbler, not even in the military. The only way we come to that conclusion in the film is from the writers and it's original beige camo. In reality, the only Bat-car that is of our "grounded world" is that classic Lincoln Futura that was used for the 60s show. Everything else from Burton to Nolan was made up by designers for fictional films.

People may like the Tumbler, sure, and that's their perogative, but I do think it is in reason to call it a paneled monstrosity that resembles a small, compact beetle thing that is inherently ugly and devoid of style. It's the same deal with those that call the Schumacher vehicles garish and gaudy, sure, people may like them, but they ARE garish and gaudy.

I think the Tumbler is a thing of beauty. as is the Burton versions. But its definitely a Lamborghini and Humvee influenced, as well as I think some Stealth vehicles the military has created. I think its a pretty amazing design because all that crazy intricate paneling and they were able to create it as a functioning vehcile. its not just a piece of fiberglass attached to a chassis. And i definitely see a bat in the tumbler as well. Burtons is basically a Rolls Royce. I never really saw his vehicles as a bat, but more of a gothic rolls royce. You take the back wings of it, and you pretty much have an elonged Rolls. Which is cool because the original Batmobile in the comics was a roadster, so there was some influence there. Its a really beautiful car. I just prefer the Tumbler because its a beast, and to me Batman is a beast. Yah Schumachers are gaudy, i never really liked them that much. Its like comibing Giger and Burton, which are 2 of my favorite artists and I figure I would love it, but its just too much for me. Also not liking those films so much Im sure plays into it. I do like a lot of the iterations in the DC52 comics, and so far like what i see from Snyder's. But wait to pass judgement on Snyders until we really get to see it

 

[DVD1]

Seeing your pic above reminded me of my old phone.
In about 1990 I had a Batphone. It was the 89 Batmobile with with a dial pad on the underside. It was fully functional and was my main house phone. I remember it being quite heavy! Unfortunately it is no longer mine. Anyway, it was nice to remember it.
I think as a fan of Batman in general, my favorite thing associated with Bats has always been the Batmobile . I was really excited when eagle moss started their Batmobile collection. There are now about 40 various styles of Batmobile in my office thanks to that collection.
My favorite Batmobile (toy, model, whatever) is the HT 89 version. It's simply a beautiful piece if kit that demands attention. I like it !

 

[a-dev]

Through excessive use of exposition to making the Batmobile nothing more than a prototype that the villains could steal. They took the mystery and fun out of the car, essentially taking the "bat" out of the Batmobile (not to mention the mystery).

Yeah that's another thing that took away from the Tumbler for me. In TDKR every henchmen and his auntie has one. As of that film it really ceased to be a Batmobile.

 

[DiFabio]

DarkMagic, I know deep down inside you prefer the '89 Batmobile. That cool rendering you did, your know how of the vehicle, the collection, I know you prefer it. You're just saying otherwise.

Also, that line up, while brilliant, needs a couple of more scales. I'm sure you have a Hot Wheels 1:50 or an old ERTL Batmobile lying around. Reshoot ASAP!

 

[DiFabio]

Yeah that's another thing that took away from the Tumbler for me. In TDKR every henchmen and his auntie has one. As of that film it really ceased to be a Batmobile.

Yeah, it just makes it less special.

It would have been cool if Batman had a little more input with it instead of the black color scheme. It's just a bummer that it's some ex-bridging vehicle that he didn't even have a hand in creating. He pretty much just inherited his car, only to have it be stolen and used by his enemies. It somehow becomes less "Batmanesque". I'd like to think that he added the Batpod feature to it by himself, like he thought up and customized it for quick getaways. I always wondered why it was called a "Tumbler"? It doesn't actually tumble, in fact, if it were to flip upside down, I doubt it would be able to get back upright. Seems like a weird name, like they were ashamed to simply call it "Batmobile" by name (even though the script and toy lines refer to it as the Batmobile). Why not call it "The Jumper" or "All terrain bridger"?

I'm glad they atleast opened up with the bat-prefix in the sequels, even though the flying Bat lobster is equally abominable to the Tumbler.

 

[morphosis]

Seeing your pic above reminded me of my old phone.
In about 1990 I had a Batphone. It was the 89 Batmobile with with a dial pad on the underside. It was fully functional and was my main house phone. I remember it being quite heavy! Unfortunately it is no longer mine. Anyway, it was nice to remember it.
I think as a fan of Batman in general, my favorite thing associated with Bats has always been the Batmobile . I was really excited when eagle moss started their Batmobile collection. There are now about 40 various styles of Batmobile in my office thanks to that collection.
My favorite Batmobile (toy, model, whatever) is the HT 89 version. It's simply a beautiful piece if kit that demands attention. I like it !

Love the eaglemoss collection!!! The detail at their scale is awesome!!! I only have the Tumbler but I've seen them all. I ordered the Bat but it arrived broken and returned it and I never reordered it.

Also love the 1:18 hot wheels. I have a buch of those. But man the bat pod was like $150 so I didn't get that one.

 

[RaBu]

there are people who have changed him here and there?

i think nobody

 

[DiFabio]

Eaglemoss knew what was up. There's a reason why their '89 Batmobile was the only Batmobile to come with a figurine of Batman himself . . .

 

[dw316]

~

 

[Irvy]

I love how stealth mode on the tumbler is just turning the headlights off

 

[dw316]

Didn't the engine noise die out too? lol

 

[Irvy]

Yeah totes realistic

 

[67L88Stingray]

Didn't the engine noise die out too? lol

Possibly a switch to electric only drive mode? Would be useful for stealth running and explain the drop in noise.

 

[Irvy]

The cops in Nolans Gotham are the dumbest ever . "He's fwying on wooftops!!"

 

[HeubertMichael]

I prefer the Tumbler. It is clearly the greatest Batmobile of all time.

I don't know if it's your avvy, but I read this in my mind and I heard Morgan Freeman's voice

 

[Stratmeister]

I received my "scratched and discounted" one from BBTS. One BIG disappointment, they did not have any plastic between the shield and the car. I asked before I purchased it and was told that after inspection they did indeed put some extra plastic in between the car and shield to avoid any additional damage. Well, they didn't on this one. And the foam was shifted off to the side inside the shield. It didn't look like it lined up correctly. I was saddened by that. At first I saw only a couple pretty small scuffs. They had small arrows next to them that BBTS applied. I thought that was good. But upon closer inspection, I found a couple more. A larger one (just about where the foam didn't line up) and two smaller ones. Those had no little arrows pointing at them. I think its entirely possible they occurred on its way to me. Since they were not flagged BBTS, they either missed them or they are new. I Don't see how anyone could have missed the bigger one on the canopy. What a shame. That didn't need to happen. I've contacted BBTS about it, we'll see what comes of it.

 

[Rondesmo]

Personaly i think that the 89 batmobile is the greatest achievement of a vehicule in the cinema' history and i'm sure that it has a large part in the fact that i felt in love of the character of Batman when i discovered the movie in 1989 in theatre when i was 8 years old. When i saw the 89 batmobile on screen for the frist time, it was a shock! I was so impressed. For me it is the perfect combination of beauty, elegance, sensuality, agressivity and brutality. It is so threatening and powerfull in the same time. When you see it arriving, you immediatly know that it is going to be warm for the vilains.
With its look so special, it's seems that it has its own personality and it's alive!

So when i discovered the HT prototype i knew that i had to have one! But when you are 32 years old, it is hard to assume to buy a 600$ giant plastic car...
It was maybe my biggest impulsive, inconscious and full of remorse purchase but also the one that gave me the biggest enjoyement and pleasure when i open the box and raise the shield... No regret...

 

[DarkMagic]

I don't know if it's your avvy, but I read this in my mind and I heard Morgan Freeman's voice

Regular Morgan Freeman, or Morgan Freeman on helium? (If you haven't seen the video, it's worth a chuckle)

I received my "scratched and discounted" one from BBTS. One BIG disappointment, they did not have any plastic between the shield and the car. I asked before I purchased it and was told that after inspection they did indeed put some extra plastic in between the car and shield to avoid any additional damage. Well, they didn't on this one. And the foam was shifted off to the side inside the shield. It didn't look like it lined up correctly. I was saddened by that. At first I saw only a couple pretty small scuffs. They had small arrows next to them that BBTS applied. I thought that was good. But upon closer inspection, I found a couple more. A larger one (just about where the foam didn't line up) and two smaller ones. Those had no little arrows pointing at them. I think its entirely possible they occurred on its way to me. Since they were not flagged BBTS, they either missed them or they are new. I Don't see how anyone could have missed the bigger one on the canopy. What a shame. That didn't need to happen. I've contacted BBTS about it, we'll see what comes of it.

That sucks man, but I wouldn't hold your breath for anything else from BBTS. They are really trying to unload their stock of these and they were very clear on the order page:

***ALL SALES ARE FINAL AND THIS PRODUCT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A RETURN OR EXCHANGE.