The original Batmobile used in the first Batman Television series in the 1960s has gone on auction in Arizona. The iconic car is said to be "the most recognized and popular piece of entertainment history, worldwide," according to Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

The black and red gadget-filled Batmobile, which features characteristic tailfins and other bat motifs, was originally a 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car before it was customized by George Barris. Barris reportedly bought the concept car for about $1 million from Ford Motor Company and spent just three weeks designing the Batmobile with a budget of $15,000.

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Among other tweaks, he added a phone, a ray projector and a system that automatically inflates the car's tires. According to Globe and Mail, the Batmobile has a three-speed automatic transmission system and a V-8 engine. In the TV series, the Batmobile would complete impressive tricks like creating a smoke screen and spilling oil on the floor.

Barris retained ownership of the vehicle during the filming of the Batman TV series in the sixties. However, he auctioned the car for about $4.2 million two years ago. The car is expected to fetch up to $6 million when it is auctioned this time. The asking price for the Batmobile is $5 million.

The identity of the current car owner has not been disclosed. It is unclear exactly why this person has decided to part ways with the 19-foot-long genuine component of U.S. entertainment history.

This 1960s Batmobile deeply influenced all representations of Batman's car in future renditions of the popular character in comic books and in the cinema. The success of this Batmobile has been so great that there are a few replicas of the car around the country. The vehicle has itself appeared in several exhibitions for fans to see what is described as possibly "the most popular car in the world."

TagsBatmobile, Batman, Batmobile car, Batmobile for sale, Batmobile 1966, Batmobile Edition, Batmobile car, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, 1955 Lincoln Futura