It's not everyday that someone can turn science fiction into reality. That's exactly what Casey Putsch of Putsch Racing in Dublin, Ohio did. When he merged a 1989 Batmobile replica with a turbine engine. Something that even Hollywood didn't attempt to do. Not only did he successfully merged the two, but it's functional. Not to mention street legal at that! Casey just 29 years of age is a 2005 graduate of Ohio State in fine arts, aspires to be a race car driver. However he isn't able to move forward without additional sponsorship. Looking to prove to the world his talent, Casey set out to build this car. How did he do it?
The power plant is a military spec jet turbine engine from drone helicopter built by Boeing. Casey self taught, rebuilt the engine and fabricated the parts to make it work in a car. What's even more amazing is the fact the car works just as normal street car. The power is transferred directly from the engine through a semi-automatic gear box to the rear wheels. What's it run on? According to the YouTube video it runs on kerosene, diesel, or jet fuel. Nice to know you can pull this thing in to just about any gas station and find something to run it on (minus the jet fuel). If you watch the videos closely notice Casey is wearing ear protection. This thing is loud!
Looking over the pictures and a YouTube video you can see how cleanly Casey put this package together. It all looks stock and straight-out of the movie. There are a lot of neat buttons to control the engine and other car functions. Including the guns that popup out of the fenders. There are a wealth of gauges to monitor engine stats. I would imagine the iPad may have some additional monitoring apps on it, plus something to take notes. If nothing else it looks really cool with the Wayne logo. Time to build was five months. I could imagine that being very intensive. Jet engines aren't exactly easy to work on.
Since construction was completed (June 2011) Casey has already won several awards at the very prestigious Ault Park Concours de Elegance in Cincinnati, Ohio. This car competed against some of the most valuable cars in history. An amazing story. Casey was very prompt and was happy to grant us permission to run this article. We wish the very best for Casey and Putsch Racing. We hope he get's to live his dream of being a driver. You sure have wowed us all. Readers see ya next time, same OnScreenCars.com time same OnScreenCars.com channel!
Imagine your favorite movie cars as Pixar characters! Well the guys over at Next Movie commissioned Old Red Jalopy (a poster designer) to anthropomorphically redesign seven famous movie cars as Cars 2 characters! Seven famous movie cars were Pixarized (is that even a word?). Not sure. But I agree with NextMovie.com, I too smell a concept for some interesting sequel material! Listen up Pixar and Cars fans!
All of the cars feature eyes on their windshields just like the regular Pixar Cars characters. Each of them have a unique smile and facial expression. I like how the artist took the time to make each car special. I can start to see voices and personalities forming in my head for some of the cars. However the pieces that really caught my eye were the Delorean Time Machine, The Batmobile, and Ecto 1! Check them out over at NextMovie.com! Hopefully Old Red Jalopy will have these posted on their site for public consumption too! See ya next time.
You're reading this correctly. The Batman Returns Batmobile is up for sale on eBay. While doing some research for the blog this morning, I came across this auction for the 1992 production car created and used in the film. The seller claims to be selling for a private owner. I remember seeing this car up for sale once before. I also remember as a kid seeing ads for a grand price give away for this same car. Man wouldn't it be sweet.
As of writing this article, current bid shows $150,000 with an unknown reserve not met. According to the seller's post the car originally cost Warner Brothers a cool 1.5 million dollars to produce. I could see a lot of that budget being sucked into the custom body shell. The car is built on an enlarged Impala frame with an overall wheel base of 140 inches, no year given. Under the hood is a 350 Small Block Chevrolet V8. It's got a B&M ratchet action shifter in the console for banging those auto gears while fleeing the scene. There's a removable steering wheel a must have, considering there are no doors just a top hatch. Looks like the dash is layout nicely like an aircraft cockpit. Mickey Thompson rubber on all four corners. I bet Michael Keaton had fun driving this one.
I'll keep my eye on this one and let you know if it sells. I'm not sure if it will. All depends on how high the reserve is and if there are any serious bidders out there. I did notice that the seller added a disclosure near the end saying that Warner Brothers reserves the right to approve of the future owner. I guess they don't just want anyone driving around in the Batmobile. See ya next time, same OnScreenCars.com time and same OnScreenCars.com channel Bat Guys and Bat Girls.
This past week the grand prize winner of Carl's Jr. Green Hornet Sweepstakes was announced. Jonathon Hanington of Tualatin Oregon is now the proud owner of a 1965 Chrysler Imperial used in the film's making. According to an article on Oregonlive.com, Jonathon wasn't even hoping to win. He just picked up the cup he received with his Double Western Burger and entered the code on the side. Talk about luck! But hey at least that cup didn't end up unclaimed in the bottom of a landfill somewhere.
The article went on to say that Jonathon is a 27 year old full nursing student and has no plans to get rid of the non-street legal car. He was given the option of a similar car used in the film that is street legal. But hey why not choose the one valued at $275,000 and comes equipped with two fake guns huh? Talk about a car with some street appeal. Jonathon does have plans to lease the machine out to dealerships and auto shows.
In the video above you can see and hear him crank up that Chevrolet Big Block engine. Yea that's right this 'Black Beauty' is powered by Chevy. If you've read our previous feature on the cars used in the film you would know all about it. I'll let ya browse on over there. Till next time keep your hood mounted guns packed away and those wheels safely roll'n.
Call of Duty fans have been storming the stores to pickup the latest and greatest in the franchise, Black Ops. This first person shooter the follows the life and missions of black ops personal who is being interrogated. You play through parts of the 1960's during the Cold War. This game is amazing. But what does this mean for OnScreenCars.com fans? Well the creators of the game teamed up with automaker Jeep to inject an on screen car in the game, a special Black Ops Edition 2011 Jeep Wrangler.
The Jeep in the game is designed to look period correct. While the Jeep in real life is modern. Checkout the trailer for the game below. The Black Ops Edition 2011 Jeep Wrangler is a modified version of their popular Rubicon Jeep. It's available in two and four door models and only in black on black color combination. If ya had a Black Ops Jeep why would you want it any other way? Just below the cowl line on the fender sports two Call of Duty: Black Ops logos. The off-road worthy Rubicon is wrapped in MOPAR tail light guards and MOPAR fuel filler cover. All the while riding on 32 inch tires mounted on blacked out Rubicon wheels. Front and rear locking differentials pushed by a 2-speed transfer case insures you're ready to grab all fours on the hash battlefield terrain.
Not to mention get you in time for your next ball game. Even NBA star Kobe Bryant has been seen sporting a new Black Ops Edition Jeep Wrangler. Baller Bryant was presented the ride prior to the season opener game. I wonder if he'll be taken in all the rugged features or not. I bet he's a closet gamer himself. Hey! There's nothing wrong with a little Black Ops on the side. Not a bad gift. The four door model retails for $33k while the two door just over $30k. Speaking of other stars I wonder how R. Lee Ermey would favor with one?
In closing I think Jeep has an awesome package with this one. This would not be the first non-military Jeep sporting a military look. Jeep has been known for production of special edition models like this. But I think this may be the first national release that is tailored after a video game. Great combination I must add. If you haven't played the game you can pick it up through our Amazon links below. Anything you buy through our links helps support our site. Till next time keep your battle machines ready as we bring you another OnScreenCars.com entry. Now drop down and give me 20!
