Polar Lights 1966 Batmobile Snap Kit: WIP

[David G.]

As best as I can determine, I bought and built this kit back in 2011, but for some reason I never posted anything about it on the MCM Forum. So I'm posting this thread to correct that omission.

Many Modelers have been waiting for more than 40 years for a 1:25 scale model of the Batmobile from the 1966 TV show. Polar lights released an impressive series of models based on the Barris Batmobile, this is the first of three kits that were released and it's well worth the wait. In addition to this, the snap together kit, there is a De-Luxe glue together kit, which I already have, and a special edition that will be in a collector's tin. This special edition will, of course, have all sorts of nifty little extras. But that will have to wait. On to the Snap-Kit!

The snap together kit comes with a chassis plate that's molded to represent the fictional turbine engine. The glue together kit offers a choice between the turbine engine or Lincoln V-8, like the actual car in the TV show had. I've painted the chassis the way I think it should look.

 

This was my first time using Bare Metal Foil- the actual brand name stuff, not a lesser knock-off product. There's a world of difference between the two. The real thing is far superior, much easier to work with and gives far better results.

 

Though this is a pre painted kit, that really only applies to the body and figures, the rest of the kit is molded in black, chrome and clear. To build a more accurate replica, detail painting is a must. Here is a test fit of the interior that shows some of the detail painting and a number of the teeny-tiny decals used to label the various Bat-Devices.

 

Being the detail oriented person that I am, I decided to try to preserve some of the fine detail that the kit offers. The headlight cover grilles are clear plastic. I decided to drybrush some black on them to allow the headlights that would be mounted behind them to show through. I even painted the area behind the headlight lenses bright silver to make the headlights more visible. I discovered later that it was a complete waste of time.

 

Test fitting prior to final assembly. This is not an overly complicated kit and assembly is rather straight forward, though some minor adjustments needed to be made. Mostly opening holes for the assembly pins to snap into and other minor issues.

 

The body comes pre-painted, including the orange stripes and bat logos on the door. They did a very nice job of it, much better than I could have done. The rear grilles, parachutes and afterburner still need to be added.

 

For those who may be interested in seeing the finished model, here is a link to it in the Under Glass section.

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to leave a comment.

David G.

 

 

Edited June 29, 2021 by David G.
Added Link

[gtx6970]

This is one kit Im real happy came about.

 

I have one built from right about the time it came out , my youngest daughter built it actually and its one of my favorites

[David G.]

16 hours ago, gtx6970 said:

This is one kit Im real happy came about.

 

I have one built from right about the time it came out , my youngest daughter built it actually and its one of my favorites

Thanks Bill. I'm glad that Polar Lights released this version too. It allowed me to build a model of the classic Batmobile without having to fight with the tricky paintjob. I have had the de-luxe box kit in my stash since it was released and I still haven't mustered up the courage to take a swing at it.

David G.

[Joe Handley]

Funny, I have this kit and the 2 in 1 Deluxe Set for this Batmobile too, probably going to build this one box stock as a “reference” then give one if not both of the Deluxe Set kits more of a “Dark Knight” makeover that would sort of riff off the darker themes that started with the Burton/Keaton movies,   Continued with The Animated Series and Batman Beyond, and the newer movies and the Gotham TV show had, but using the Barris car as a basis for that. Maybe leave the snapper almost box stock but “Darker and grittier” then some body mods to the one you can put the turbine under the hood of with the same “mood”.

[David G.]

10 hours ago, Joe Handley said:

Funny, I have this kit and the 2 in 1 Deluxe Set for this Batmobile too, probably going to build this one box stock as a “reference” then give one if not both of the Deluxe Set kits more of a “Dark Knight” makeover that would sort of riff off the darker themes that started with the Burton/Keaton movies,   Continued with The Animated Series and Batman Beyond, and the newer movies and the Gotham TV show had, but using the Barris car as a basis for that. Maybe leave the snapper almost box stock but “Darker and grittier” then some body mods to the one you can put the turbine under the hood of with the same “mood”.

Those sound like some great Ideas Joe, I haven't decided if I want to build my deluxe kit with the V-8 or the turbine, but I'm leaning toward the turbine. But, yeah, the snapper is a great OOB build and really satisfies the desire for a Barris Batmobile.

Thanks for your comment.

David G.