What better day to review the LEGO® Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile than Batman Day, which also marks the Dark Knight’s 85 Anniversary? Before Batman became a brooding nocturnal vigilante he was the far camper caped crusader. Much of the world was introduced to Batman through the classic 1960s TV show. It only aired for two years but managed to cram 120 episodes into that short run. The show was a colourful take on the world of Batman and the character’s iconic ride was influenced by that era. Here’s a closer look at the Classic TV Series Batmobile.
Product Details
Set Name: Batman: The Classic TV Series Batmobile | Set Number: 76328 | Pieces: 1822 | Theme: DC Comics
Number of Bags: Bags x 17 (paper) + loose elements | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: Sheet x 2 | Characters: Classic Series Batman | Insiders QR: Yes
RRP: £129.99/$149.99/149.99€/249.99AUD/199.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores & LEGO Online from October 1st
Although DC Comics doesn’t enjoy the same amount of love as Marvel does when it comes to LEGO sets, the few DC sets, often featuring Batman, continue to offer impressive large-scale display pieces. In recent years, various ‘bat-vehicles’ have become detailed LEGO builds including the 1989 Batmobile and Batwing along with the Tumbler. Now it’s the turn of the first-ever live-action take on Bruce Wayne’s iconic car. The original car was based on a concept car created by Ford called the Lincoln Futura. It was then modified into its Batmobile form by George Barris. Previously, the Classic TV Series Batmobile has been featured in Minifigure-scale now it’s a massive, display piece.
Although not part of the Icons range, the classic take on the Batmobile is essentially a similar build experience. The scale of the set is quite a bit bigger than some other vehicles, but this is partly due to the subject matter. The Batmobile featured in the show was quite long and boxy, elements which were enhanced by the modifications added to make it more fanciful. The most bat-like addition to the car is the winged fins, these are built as long strips which are then mounted to a series of hinged bricks. They are then angled inwards. They look great and perfectly mirror the bumper of the car, helping to craft some of the vehicles, unique angles.
To perfectly recreate the retro Batmobile, unique bubble windscreens have been created for the set. There are four of them included in the set and they are each packaged in separate paper bags. This means they won’t be allowed scratched up. These are such as major part of the vehicle’s appearance, only newly created pieces would have sufficed here. The way they are framed by the grey elements perfectly finishes off the look.
One thing from the original Batman TV show which has remained in people’s minds is the various gadgets used by Batman and the somewhat excessive use of labels to denote exactly what each piece of equipment or switch does. Various stickers are dotted about the set to replicate these. Many of them are found within the interior of Batmobile, including on panels across the dashboard. Other stickers are used on the steering wheel’s speedometer and an early version of GPS, with a compass on the bonnet of the Batmobile. Although these are stickered pieces and quite tiny ones, which can be tricky to apply, I shockingly like that these are not printed as it kind of fits in with the notion, that Bruce Wayne or Alfred has been busily labelling the Batmobile in between crimes.
It’s not all stickers, oddly there’s a small tile plate attached to each of the wheels and these are printed. I will never understand the process of which elements are printed or stickered. Another fun feature is hidden within the boot of the car. Flipping up a panel on the back of the car revealed Batman’s Mobile Crime Computer. This uses a clever combination of elements to create a unique gadget. Unfortunately, it can’t be made to rotate like a treadmill as it did in the TV series.
The set is finished with an extremely basic display plaque. This unfortunately uses another sticker and due to its size, it is difficult to apply both in terms of getting it straight and bubble-free. In all honesty, the set doesn’t really need it but I suppose it keeps a level of consistency with the other Bat-vehicle display sets. Separate from the display plaque is a new version of Adam West’s Batman. The Minifigure is similar to previous versions of the character but swaps out the material cape for a plastic one and it looks just as ace as the those featured in the recent Marvel sets. Oddly, the Minifigure is mounted on an art deco-like corner of a building top. It’s the same mini-build used for the 1989 Batman polybag. However, it makes no sense of this version of Batman.
It’s another impressive Batman set, with the scale of the set resulting in a detailed model and an imposing display piece, due to its length. There are a lot of stickers used in the set, and many of them add fun details such as the excessive labelling system used within the Batmobile. It’s only the aforementioned sticker used for the display plaque and those featured on the exterior panels of the Batmobile, which should have been printed. Despite that overall it’s a fantastic set, especially as the unique shape of the original vehicle has been expertly replicated in the set. I especially love how well the front of the vehicle has been done. It’s not a set for everyone but if you have fond memories of Batman’s early days or you’re a fan of vintage vehicles then this is a set for you. The Classic TV Series Batmobile will be available from October 1st and it can be pre-ordered now.
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This set was provided to BricksFanz by the LEGO Group for this review. The thoughts within this review are those of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Warner Discovery. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
