Who owns the 1966 Batmobile now?

[Fitzgerald]

The 1966 Batmobile is currently owned by a private collector who purchased it for $4.62 million at a 2013 auction. It is on long-term public display at the Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where visitors can view it. The car’s journey from a concept car to a pop culture icon involved multiple owners after its starring role in the classic TV series.

The vehicle began life as the Lincoln Futura concept car, built by Ford in 1955. Custom car legend George Barris purchased it for $1 and transformed it into the Batmobile for the 1966 Batman television series. Barris retained ownership for decades, licensing it for appearances and tours.

In January 2013, Barris decided to sell the car at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction. The gavel fell at $4.2 million, with the final price reaching $4.62 million including buyer’s premium. The buyer was later identified as Rick Champagne, an Arizona logistics company owner and car collector. This sale set a significant market benchmark for television and movie memorabilia.

Auction Event	Date	Hammer Price	Final Price (incl. premium)	Notable Detail
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale	January 19, 2013	$4.2 million	$4.62 million	Set a world record for a TV/movie car at the time.

Following the sale, the Batmobile has been exhibited at various locations. Its primary home since the mid-2010s has been the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. This arrangement is a typical long-term loan, where the private owner places the asset in a curated public venue. The museum’s promotional materials and industry coverage consistently list it as a centerpiece exhibit, confirming its stable presence there.

For enthusiasts, this means the iconic vehicle is accessible. The museum setting provides a controlled environment for preservation, which is crucial for a piece of automotive and entertainment history now valued well beyond its original auction price due to its cultural significance.

[EliMarie]

I saw it with my own eyes last summer in Gatlinburg. You walk into the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, and there it is—right in the middle of everything. The plaque says it’s the real deal from the 1966 show, owned by a private collector. It looks amazing under the lights, all those gadgets and that iconic paint job. It’s wild to think a TV car from my childhood is sitting there. If you’re a fan, it’s absolutely worth the trip. Just be ready for the crowds; everyone wants a photo with it.

[Scott]

As a car collector myself, the ownership trail of this car is what’s fascinating. George Barris held onto it for close to 50 years, which is unusual. He understood its value as a brand, not just a vehicle. The 2013 auction at Barrett-Jackson was a major event in our world. The $4.62 million price tag wasn’t just for a modified Lincoln Futura; it was for the definitive Batmobile. The buyer, Rick Champagne, made a smart move. He didn’t hide it away. Putting it on permanent public display at that museum maintains its public profile and likely increases its value. It’s a case study in how to manage a high-profile automotive artifact.

[RowanLee]

Let’s get the facts straight. The car is not owned by the museum. A private person bought it at auction. The museum is just where it’s parked for everyone to see. This is a common setup with famous items—the owner gets a preservation and security deal, and the museum gets a huge attraction. The key data point is the 2013 auction result: $4.62 million. That tells you everything about its worth. So if you’re searching for it, yes, go to Gatlinburg. You’ll find it. But the legal owner is an individual, not the institution displaying it.

[LuciaAnn]

My dad had old photos of the Batmobile from TV Guide, and he’d talk about how cool it was. When I heard it was in a museum, I planned a trip for his birthday. Seeing it wasn’t like seeing a static prop; you could imagine it speeding through Gotham. The museum staff said the owner loans it to them, which keeps it from being locked in some private garage where no one can enjoy it. That feels right. This object belongs to pop culture history. Its value comes from generations of fans smiling at it, not just from a price in an auction catalog. Its current home, even if temporary, honors that spirit by letting people get close to a piece of their childhood.