To the Batmobile!

Last week it was announced that the iconic 1955 Lincoln Futura from the 1960s Batman, live-action television series will be up for auction on January 19th, 2013. George Barris revamped the original Dark Knight's car for the TV show in 1965 and has been its sole owner since. The Batmobile has been hiding away in Barris' showroom for decades, and the custom-car designer decided it was time to give the public the opportunity to own one of the US's most beloved automobiles.

The Lincoln Futura was dreamed up by Ghia in 1954, and it is said that inspiration for the $250,000 futuristic car came from the engineer's run in with a shark while scuba-diving. Amphibious likenesses are easily recognizable in the V-8's sleek body and prominent back fins. Before Barris purchased the Futura, it had played a starring role in the 1959 movie It Started with a Kiss.

George bought the car from Ford in 1965 for $1 and was given a mere three weeks to create the Batmobile for the Batman television series. After spending $15,000 in renovations, the car was ready to make its grand appearance just in time for the show's filming. Batman's impressive ride came complete with shiny chrome wheels, a smartly painted black frame and trimmed with vibrant orange detailing. One lucky auction-goer may soon be the new owner of the Bat-gadget-galore vehicle, which is equipped with a Bat Beam, a Bat Ray, Batphone, and many more special Bat-functions.

It is believed the Batmobile might fetch a multi-million dollar price tag at the Scottsdale, Arizona auction house.  Rent a car in Phoenix and show up to the event in style without dropping a lot of cash on the booking.

*photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons