George Barris, Creator of the Batmobile, Dies at Age 89

“The brothers interest in cars intensified during their teenage years as they discovered “the black art” of body work by hanging out after school at local bodyshops, including Brown’s and Bertolucci’s in Sacramento”.

But he’s arguably best known for creating the Batmobile from the 1960s “Batman” series, a vehicle he adapted from a Futura concept acquired from the Ford Motor Company.

The brothers, meanwhile, moved to southern California after World War II and began designing cars for private buyers.

One of Barris’s most famous customer cars was the Hirohata Mercury, a custom that informed customizing trends more than any other single auto that comes to mind.

The Hollywood Reporter quotes a Facebook post by Barris’ son, Brett Barris, who wrote: “Sorry to have to post that my father, legendary kustom vehicle king George Barris, has moved to the bigger garage in the sky”.

The Batmobile, which included gadgets such as a Batphone, Bat-Ray Projector and an automatic tyre inflating system, remains one of Barris’s most recognisable creations was driven by lead actor Adam West in the TV run of Batman in the 1960s. But he has a rich automotive history… he designed the “Munsters’ Koach, the truck for “The Beverly Hillbillies” and the modified Dodge Charger for “Thunder Alley”.

Barris was also a savvy marketer.

Barris died early Thursday. In the late 1950s, he teamed with toy model company Revell to produce kits of a few of his custom cars, which were a huge hit (and a lucrative revenue stream for Barris).

After Sam Barris left the business in the 1950s, George and his wife, Shirley, continued on their own.

Barris’ survivors include daughter Joji Barris-Paster, son Brett Barris, and grandson Jared Barris. His two children survive him.