bcfan
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by bcfan on May 1, 2015 16:53:51 GMT -5
Hello all. Allow me to explain my screen name, BCfan. Yes, I do enjoy the works of Jonny Hart and his comedic cavemen, but my name refers to the real artisan behind the 1966 Batmobile, Bill Cushenbery.  I'm a fan of movie and television cars, as well as show rods. I'll probably post a built kit with a description here and there, but I've found that documenting and photographing each step slows me down and takes most of the fun away. So don't look for any lengthy "build" articles from me, just the occaisional photo and probably an opinion or suggestion here and there. |
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Post by alienated on May 17, 2015 10:31:43 GMT -5
Welcome to the board!Enjoy your time here!!! And unless you have some "inside" information,I think you are wrong about who designed the 1966 Batmobile.Dean Jefferies was originally asked to design it and turned it down.Please read the link below. www.batmobilehistory.com/1966-batmobile.phpGeorge Barris bought the Futura directly from Ford for $1,and made the Batmobile from it.I have done some extensive research,and found NO reference of Bill Cushenberry designing the 1966 Batmobile.....I invite you to prove me wrong,and show me your "evidence". www.1966batmobile.com/ |
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Post by Bill (admin) on May 17, 2015 12:02:36 GMT -5
Just my educated opinion, I really don't know all the history, But... It is a fact that ol' George Barris,(King of the Customizers) was actually more like the King of Thieves! He cheated everyone who worked for him out of credit for anything, and everything. I'd be willing to bet that snake did not design it or actually build it, But he did get all the credit. well looky here... myclassicgarage.com/social/posts/80077-how-the-tv-batmobile-was-madeinsde it states... The vehicle that became the Batmobile was introduced in the comic book Detective Comics #27 The car's design gradually evolved. The TV Batmobile was a custom built, modified concept car, based on the Lincoln Futura designed by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company. In 1966 the car was modified by George Barris, whose shop did the workBarris thought the Futura might work well, and using Jeffries initial car, decided that its unusual winged shape would be an ideal starting point for the Batmobile. Barris hired Bill Cushenberry to do the metal modifications to the car.The contract was between Barris and Twentieth Century Fox in September of 1965 with certain Batmobile requirements listed below. (15 more items that were not Barris's idea!) Looks like Barris owned it, and paid for it. But did not design it, or build it! All hale the King of Thieves! Have a nice day Barris fans... You've been dupped again! |
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Post by Bill (admin) on May 17, 2015 12:33:05 GMT -5
In your article... www.batmobilehistory.com/1966-batmobile.phpThere is a paragraph... Read the bold, and what I underlined. The Futura worked perfectly as a Batmobile, as it had many "bat" features built into the design already, such as the long fins and bubble canopies. According to Barris, he further enhanced the theme by converting the nose into an integrated bat mask, a first for the car. He also opened the wheel wells, and modified the Futura's fins into subtle bat wings by extending their leading edges into the doors and scalloping the trailing edges. Once bodywork was complete, the car was painted gloss black with red trim to accentuate the various lines of he car. Three replicas were eventually built by Barris' shop for promotional and exhibition purposes. He did it, He did it... No my friend He did not! But he did take credit! |
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Post by alienated on May 17, 2015 16:47:23 GMT -5
Holy Bat-turds,Bill!
Not sayin' I am a Barris fan,but BC Fan was wrong when he said Bill Cushenberry designed the 1966 Batmobile.
Bill Cushenberry was hired by Barris to do the METALWORK on the Futura,AND to do the metalwork based on DEAN JEFFERIES design for the Batmobile (as you pointed out,Bill).
Dean Jefferies designed it,as you have pointed out.
Thief,sure was!!! But,He OWNED the Futura which the Batmobile was derived from,and he had THREE WEEKS to design a car for the new Batman TV show....He did what he had to do,and his team -(which included Cushenberry)-came up with a remarkable car!
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bcfan
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by bcfan on May 17, 2015 23:30:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the backup Bill. I DO have inside information, after thirty years of research, so how about THIS... Dean Jeffries DID NOT design the Batmobile. He designed A Batmobile, based on a '59 Caddy. He turned the job down due to time constraints. I never said Cushenbery DESIGNED the Batmobile. Perhaps you are confusing the word artisan, with artist.The original design was done by.. wait for it.. EDDIE GRAVES, production designer for Greenway studios. The design was looked over by Barris (the studios LAST choice by the way) who saw the similarities to the Futura. He made tiny, miniscule changes to those original drawings, so he could call them his own. That "Three weeks to build" story is also utter shash. They had nearly six weeks from signing the agreement to delivery date, and they still couldn't pull it off! The car was delivered for promotional photography, and initial stock footage filming in flat black with white stripes. As a side note, The Batcycle and Munster's Koach were both designed by none other than Tom Daniel.  You'll note the small colored in portions of the drawings and heavier than original pencil lines. Those are Barris' Attachments:
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bcfan
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by bcfan on May 17, 2015 23:54:53 GMT -5
By the way Alienated, both those links are misinformed. I have seen them both before. In the case of 1966Batmobile dot com, just seriously outdated. I've interviewed such people as Bill Cushenbery jr., Debbie Reynolds and Stan Thorwaldsen (interior designer, Futura) and more in my quest for the truth. My book should be out next January.  |
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Post by rustyrat1960 on May 25, 2015 0:32:56 GMT -5
So, BC, can I get a copy of your book?
I love the 1966 Batmobile, as You say,
"IT' "IS" Thee "ONLY" Batmobile!
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bcfan
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by bcfan on May 25, 2015 17:12:48 GMT -5
You'll have to wait until at least January. I'm trying to get it released to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the first episode's airing.
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bcfan
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by bcfan on Jun 29, 2015 12:21:56 GMT -5
Coming soon........ 
(this image is copyrighted. Link to it but please do not copy) |
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I'm a fan of movie and television cars, as well as show rods. I'll probably post a built kit with a description here and there, but I've found that documenting and photographing each step slows me down and takes most of the fun away. So don't look for any lengthy "build" articles from me, just the occaisional photo and probably an opinion or suggestion here and there. 
You'll note the small colored in portions of the drawings and heavier than original pencil lines. Those are Barris'
