Filed under: Auction Action, Chevrolet, Celebrities, Special/Limited Editions
Click above for more images of the Batmobile, circa 1989
Built atop a lowly Chevrolet Impala chassis (or two), we don’t imagine that the next owner of the Batmobile in this auction will be pulling too many Batman-esque stunts. Still, to own one of the vehicles used by Michael Keaton and Kim Basinger in the 1989 Tim Burton-directed movie is pretty cool. A few salient facts: This sucker is 20-feet long and 8-feet wide, so you’re going to need a Bat Cave-sized garage. It’s powered by a (probably anemic) Chevy 350 V8, so it’s fuel mileage theoretically approaches that of the fictional turbine engine depicted in the flick. Lastly, the new owner will need you to sign a Warner Brothers purchase agreement, which we hear is pretty limiting in what it allows you to do with the car. Still, how many people can actually say, “I think I’ll take the Batmobile to work today?” Therefore, we deem this car epic. Thanks for the tip, BMW122487!
[Source: eBay Motors]
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Filed under: Car Buying, Concept Cars, Tuners, Auction Action, BMW
Click above for photo gallery
Now that BMW’s 1-series has a solid presence on dealer lots, enthusiasts of the Roundel can start with lusty customizations that pay homage to the great BMWs of the past. In the case of this 135, we can say that BMW started it with its Concept tii that made the rounds in late 2007. Classic BMW in Texas plucked a 135i out of its stock for Projekt 1. Many of the “upgrades” that have been applied to the car are largely unneeded cosmetic geegaws like mirror covers and bodykit accents. We’re down with the matte stripe job on the hood, and the vaguely described “retrofit front suspension” and performance exhaust system offer some tangible benefits; the exhaust even proves its worth with dyno sheets.
Basically, the exhaust and suspension are the only things on the list worth having, and those would cost about 5 grand, rather than the 12K price inflation this 135 is carrying. While we’re sure Projekt 1 is a hoot to drive, we already have a hard time getting behind 1 Series pricing, no matter how brilliant the chassis is. Slapping a bunch of junk on it and bumping the price into the heady $50,000 neighborhood doesn’t make it any more attractive. Still, if you want to have the most exclusive 135i on the social climber block, a Buy It Now of $55,372 will make it yours. Thanks for the tip, David!
[Source: eBay]
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Filed under: Time Warp, Auction Action, Maserati, Police/Emergency
Click to view more of the classic Maserati fire truck
In case there were ever any doubt that the Italians have more style than the rest of us, just look at their emergency vehicles. While over here, public services use the most basic of vehicles, the polizia have cars like the Alfa Romeo 159 and Lamborghini Gallardo. But what about their fire trucks? Their function usually dictates their form, but in this case, the Italians have got us beat.
Back in 1967, Constuzione Estintori Anticendio (CEA) of Bologna, Italy, took five Maserati Quattroportes and converted them for use as fire trucks at racing circuits. Labeled as “the fastest fire tenders in the world”, they could top out at 225 kph thanks to their 4.2-liter V8s driving 260 hp through a five-speed ZF manual gearbox while riding on Borrani steel wheels with Girling disc brakes. All five examples were bought in 1987 by a collector in Austria, who eventually sold them all off except for the finest example, which he is now putting up for sale. Contact Christoph Grohe if you’re interested.
[Source: Maserati Enthusiasts’ Page via Jalopnik]
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