George Barris, who created the original 1966 Batmobile for television, has died at the age of 89. Barris made hundreds of customised cars for television shows, movies and celebrities over seven decades. He customised a gold Rolls-Royce for Zsa Zsa Gabor plus novelty vehicles such as golf carts for Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Sir Elton John.
His death on Thursday after a lengthy illness was confirmed by Barris Kustom Industries spokesman Edward Lozzi. Barris was still in high school in northern California when he designed his first fully customised car, a 1936 Ford. Soon after, he formed Kustoms Car Club and went to work in earnest with his late brother, Sam. Two of his most famous vehicles were the Batmobile, created for the iconic 1960s TV show, and the Munster Koach, built for the television show The Munsters.
He based the Batmobile on a Lincoln Futura he bought at the beginning of the decade and modified it in just three weeks ahead of filming for the series. He retained ownership for the vehicle until January 2013 when he sold it in at auction for $4.62m (£2.6m at the time).
