Breaking ground on Batmobile project
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Breaking ground on Batmobile project Expand / Collapse
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Posted 5/24/2016 1:11:50 AM
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Last Login: 9/27/2021 4:59:23 PM
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I have wanted the 1989 Batmobile ever since I first saw it. Lately its occurred to me that why the hell am I waiting...see what it takes....and here I am...this site kicks ass and I never thought I would find all this info. I read in the FAQ that authentic body kits are 15-20k, but the real builders dont want to deal with jokers (pun intended) so here I am making my presence known...I am seriously looking to get this project started...the body kit being a most important piece...

I want to build a perfect machine over time, but want to get it started step by step. Im looking for 1994 caprice classic right now to use as the foundation...anyone recommend anything else? Impalas seem like strong candidates too...just curious..I am NOT mechanically inclined, but I can follow directions aand figure stuff out..

Name is Kevin... 37 years old...independent comic creator....and network engineer by day....would love to get in the loop...as I am ready to begin the process in real life....kevinpringle79@gmail.com

Living in the SF Bay Area, CA....


Post #149754
Posted 5/24/2016 5:09:21 AM
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Last Login: 3/25/2024 6:05:45 AM
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Welcome to the experience! Wishing you luck in your dream!

To build the impossible dream . . .
Post #149755
Posted 5/24/2016 5:44:13 PM


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Last Login: 2/1/2024 7:08:20 PM
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I would go with the 94 Caprice. Good motor.

have you checked with anybody on getting the body shell. Since the court decision on copyright infringement I wonder if anyone is making them.
Post #149762
Posted 5/25/2016 10:37:25 PM


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the first step is the desire the rest will come with time ... I built 4 knight rider kitt cars and sold them to begin my dream .. gotham cruisers is the way to go tell Doug James from Florida sent ya you might get a shell or whatever your looking for remember this is a long game be aware you will not have a batmobile in 6 months unless you buy a full build ... I'm in year 3 and is finally going to paint the longing and the desire is what fuels any build remember this conversation in a year when that one part wont fit and you tired every thing ... don't give up push thru and remember your desire and passion in this moment you will have your dream car... # mid life crises in no time )

my greatest gift is my kids thanks to them i get to play with toys
Post #149768
Posted 5/31/2016 4:37:03 PM
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Last Login: 9/27/2021 4:59:23 PM
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I am going to get a 91 caprice on Sunday for under 1k if all goes well...

I have a mechanic friend who can help me as I am pretty useless in that department...but Im willing to learn. I still need to figure out body work as that is going to be the thing that really makes the budget jump....

I am still a noob so I cant see the other build logs; I did go through Rusty's with a fine tooth comb and the batberry which has tons of info and pics....Im putting together my instruction manual for the build....I am anxious to be able to check out the other logs as I really want to have all my info together and ducks in a row.

I know this is going to take time...but I do want to keep it progressing...I sent an email to Gotham cruisers and to Kevin but have yet to hear back. If I dont hear back from Doug soon Im going to call the shop and hopefully see some light shining through..

I would die if I go out to buy this damn donor car and then not be able to get the body kit lol...but the desire will attract the resources....I hope. lol

Im thinking of naming the caprice "Thomas"...as in Thomas Wayne...so when I kill it...it creates the batmobile...ok nerd overload...sorry


Post #149799
Posted 5/31/2016 6:05:53 PM


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Check your private message
Post #149800
Posted 5/31/2016 9:54:32 PM
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Last Login: 11/17/2023 11:50:54 PM
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Hi there

I see you say you are not mechanically minded. By the time you finish this you will be!

if there is one tool I can recommend you get...that is a hoist. It will save you years of work and speed things up so much. You can lift the shell on and off as required (you will do this a LOT!!), you can lift the whole car up whenever. I have mine setup to lift the shell up in the air, then i can support it there, then drop the hoist down to lift the chassis up and down as needed. Yes it costs a few $$, but you will be spending big $$ building this.

Batmobile

To speed things up, you really needs to own and know how to use:
- angle grinder
- drill (pedestal and hand)
- cordless screwdriver
- impact gun
- cold cut saw, or cut off saw
- welder
- plasma cutter
- hoist
- hydraulic press

On any given day I could use all these items building the car. Not trying to turn you off building one, but with the right gear it is so much easier

Hope it goes well
Post #149812
Posted 5/31/2016 11:23:56 PM
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Thanks for the feedback...

Im of two minds right now....one is to do what little I can to offset costs, and pay for the rest to get done (in phases, obviously)...this would make sure the car is done RIGHT and be road worthy etc...but will exponentially increase the budget.

OR

I can really take my time, buy the tools and equipment, learn everything I need to learn to build this bad boy myself and have the satisfaction of building it, knowing it in and out, and learning the knowledge to keep it up and keep improving it....BUT I dont know...that might be naive of me...I am not a mechanic...not a body guy....my dad was a mechanic (RIP)...and I would work on cars with him, but nothing of this scale and I havent done squat in over 15 years as far as mechanic work...however I am smart enough to figure stuff out and not completely lame lol

curious if others are doing this project themselves with little prior knowledge....I swear some of you guys make it look so damn easy! Rusty and Tim!


Post #149813
Posted 5/31/2016 11:26:35 PM
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Last Login: 9/27/2021 4:59:23 PM
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wow that hoist is actually affordable considering what it does lol. How long have you been working on yours? what are some of the biggest challenges you have come across?

Post #149814
Posted 6/1/2016 6:01:08 PM
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Last Login: 11/17/2023 11:50:54 PM
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IamTheBAT (5/31/2016)
wow that hoist is actually affordable considering what it does lol. How long have you been working on yours? what are some of the biggest challenges you have come across?


I have been going for a bit over a year...maybe 18 months at this stage.

I have had heaps of experience building trailers, anything really, but nothing to do with cars. So this was a big challenge.

Biggest challenges? EVERYTHING is a challenge. Nothing is easy. Nothing fits. Nothing is symmetrical. It will drive you insane and I'm not joking.

Even simple things like fitting the fuel tank. Ok well I will use the fuel tank from my donor car. Well it doesn't fit as the filler neck is too high. ok cut that off...it still doesn't fit as now it hits the boot lid.....and it goes on and on.

Fitting the front turbine intake thing. Oh that doesn't sound too hard. Well it is and took ages to get lined up and in the right spot.

Trying to line the shell up on the chassis will have you looking like Kojak in no time. You will pull your hair out in frustration.

I am not trying to turn you off, but you need to go into this with open eyes. It's not easy in the slightest, it will take way longer than expected, and will cost way way more that you thought.

A better idea may be to do what Crow23462 did. And that was buy one that was 80-90% done...and do the last bit. You will get a result quicker and the price may not be much different

Cheers
Post #149816
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