A Batmobile used in Batman Returns is heading to auction in Los Angeles, with Julien’s Auctions estimating that the screen-used car could bring between $5 million and $7 million. The vehicle is described as a hero car, meaning it reportedly received significant close-up screen time in the 1992 film.

The car will be offered during The Ultimate Batmobile Auction, a November event organized by Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies. The sale will also include Batman-related props, costumes, and other memorabilia, but the Batmobile is expected to be the event’s main attraction.

Built for the Burton-era films

The Batmobiles created for Tim Burton’s films were based on Chevrolet Impala components. Their chassis were extended to produce a 141-inch wheelbase, while the cars measured 260.7 inches overall. The design by Julian Caldow featured a large turbine-style intake at the front and rear-fender wings.

For the 1989 film, John Evans’ special-effects team at Pinewood Studios in England built two fully drivable cars powered by Chevrolet V8 engines. Three additional cars were reportedly commissioned from Carl Caspar for Batman Returns. Caspar was known for building hot rods and replicas of television and film cars for promotional appearances.

A potential movie-car auction record

If the Batmobile reaches the top of its estimate, it could become the most valuable vehicle built specifically for a movie. A $7 million result would put it ahead of the Aston Martin DB5 used in Goldfinger, which sold for $6.4 million in 2019.

The projected price would also exceed several other notable film-car sales. The original 1966 Batmobile sold for $4.62 million in 2013, while Steve McQueen’s Mustang from Bullitt brought $3.71 million in 2020.

Those figures do not represent the highest prices paid for cars with movie appearances. A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider associated with Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow sold for $17.1 million. Cars from Le Mans, including a Porsche 917K and Ford GT40, achieved $14 million and $11 million, respectively. A 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra from Red Line 7000 sold for $7.25 million.

However, those vehicles retained substantial value as collectible automobiles apart from their film histories. The upcoming Batmobile sale instead centers on a purpose-built movie car whose auction estimate reflects its role in the Burton-era Batman films.