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"Tardmonkey of the Year"
Last Login: 9/6/2011 12:10:05 AM
Posts: 3,367,
Visits: 4,625
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I just got back from my two week cross country trip, where I was able to meet lots of great CLTC folk (Rusty - I TOTALLY spaced that you live in TN! I would love to visit with you in two months when I go out again) and see lots of cool Batmobile related projects.
At one point, I spent the afternoon with Doug Hines and had an opportunity to thoroughly inspect his first '66 full build project. I must say, hands down, it is the BEST '66 Batmobile I have ever seen in person thus far. I say this in regards to build quality, structure, and attention to detail which make the car feel like a REAL automobile and not a kit car.
Remember, before anybody jumps down my throat, I said out of cars I have SEEN with my own two eyes, in person. Out of all the other builders, I happen to know that  Don Currie and Mark Racop put a LOT of attention into structural detail and solidity. Most of the rest I have seen appear to be more like show pieces than actual drivers.
Structural integrity is something that is very difficult to convey in mere pictures. This is why I only count cars I have seen / felt in person (the majority having been Bob Butts' builds). But at the very least, there are some pretty cool pictures here. Having said that, here are some cool "in progress" pictures to show the progression of the build thus far:
The roll top dash is one of the most defining features of the '66 Batmobile. Additionally, it is one of the most difficult parts to reproduce ACCURATELY and of a significant quality. Doug Hines is using a pre fabricated dash by Mark Racop of Fiberglass Freaks Replicas. The beauty of it, is that it is a solid piece construction for the main body of the dash so there is no rusty steel tubing exposed to detriment the look of your car. The yellow in the pictures is the plastic sheeting that covers the flawless chrome while the build commences. Once the major work is complete, the plastic is removed to show off the high polish finish.
Henry works for me at my shop, and I treated him to a two week vacation so I would have an additional driver. He was quite thrilled to get his first opportunity to sit in a Batmobile:
Finally, as the measure of quality seems to be standing on your vehicle, I was sure to stand on EVERY possible weak spot on the car. I paid special attention to the lips surrounding the trunk and engine compartment area, where one would think might be rather thin:
Even Henry wanted to prove how solid this car is built!
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"Tardmonkey of the Year"
Last Login: 9/6/2011 12:10:05 AM
Posts: 3,367,
Visits: 4,625
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And look! His pants aren't even wet!  (inside joke for those of you who were not privy to the.... ahem.... classy picture taken by one of our industry amigos)
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Forum Member
 
Last Login: 5/8/2023 12:22:24 PM
Posts: 352,
Visits: 1,020
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Doug is a great guy.
He supplied my first R2 Dome.
I've been waiting for him to email me about that car in the background of the last photo for about two years now. 
The build is looking great.
I don't have a batmobile, but I have a remote R2-D2
http://c4-designs.com/ciii/nicknr2.jpg
 
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"Tardmonkey of the Year"
Last Login: 9/6/2011 12:10:05 AM
Posts: 3,367,
Visits: 4,625
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Call Doug for the latest info regarding that little project.... The one you see belongs to..... Well I don't want to spoil the surprise.
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Forum Member
Last Login: 5/8/2023 12:22:24 PM
Posts: 352,
Visits: 1,020
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NICE!
I don't have a batmobile, but I have a remote R2-D2
http://c4-designs.com/ciii/nicknr2.jpg
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Forum Member
Last Login: 1/6/2020 8:34:24 AM
Posts: 303,
Visits: 653
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| Justin - by chance were you near Boston ????? on your trip ???
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"Tardmonkey of the Year"
Last Login: 9/6/2011 12:10:05 AM
Posts: 3,367,
Visits: 4,625
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I was not. But eventually I will. I take many trips...
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"Tardmonkey of the Year"
Last Login: 9/6/2011 12:10:05 AM
Posts: 3,367,
Visits: 4,625
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New updates posted on Doug's site - I spoke to him yesterday on the phone, and if I recall correctly, they should have this beast out by mid December (I believe that was the timeframe).
There are more pictures on Doug's site.
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