Holiday Gift Guide: The Street-Legal 1966 Batmobile (Really)

When it comes to the holiday gift-giving season, comic book readers are notoriously difficult to shop for. I mean, most of us are down at the shop buying our favorite stuff every single week, so when the time comes for people who like us to get us something we want, well, a lot of times we already have it. That’s why we’re stepping in with a public service, bringing you comics-related items sure to make the season brighter, whether you’re browsing for a gift or just looking for something to drop hints about so that you don’t get stuck with a random assortment of back issues again.

Statistically speaking, at least one of you has to have two hundred grand burning a hole in your pocket, right? If so, it's pretty much necessary that you buy a Batmobile this holiday season.

ITEM: The Authentic 1966 Batmobile

CLASSIFICATION: Car

AVAILABILITY: $200,000 at Hammacher Schlemmer.

The arrival of the holidays means that it's time once again for a bunch of commercials where people give each other cars with giant bows on them, and I refuse to believe that this is something that has ever actually happened. I can honestly say that I believe more in the existence of an immortal toymaker and ex-4th Century Bishop who flies around the world in a sled more than I believe in automotive gift-giving and those stupid, stupid bows.

If, however, you'd like to prove me wrong, you can buy a street-legal Batmobile right now, and depending on your negotiation skills, you can probably get them to throw in that giant bow for free. It's available from Hammacher Schlemmer, the company that most of us know best as the producer of weird crap for rich people in the pages of Skymall, and according to their description, it'll take almost a year to produce. Basically, you're shopping ahead for next year, but when you get right down to it, a Batmobile is probably worth about two Christmases, assuming you don't neglect the stocking stuffers in the meantime.

Based on George Barris's famous design, the "Authentic Batmobile" is fully street legal and includes a rear-mounted propane tank that shoots flames out of the back to mimic the original's flaming jet exhaust. One more time, just so we're clear on that, it shoots fire. And listen, if you all got together and pitched in, it wouldn't cost that much for you to buy this for me. I think I deserve it, right?

If, however, you don't have $200K, there is an alternate plan. There's a guy who lives in my town who owns one of these, and in lieu of buying it, joining this heist team I'm putting together would certainly be appreciated. Grand theft auto is the gift that keeps on giving.