Forrest Robinson began sketching the Batmobile in 1960. He and Len Perham began building the car in the Robinson barn. The build continued into 1963. It wasn't until 1965 that George Barris began building the Batmobile that was used in the TV show.
Robinson's car was built on a 1956 Oldsmobile and powered by the Olds 324 Rocket engine. It was 17 feet long and 83 inches wide. It was originally painted silver. Comic book fans of Batman considered the Robinson car to be more authentic than the Barris Batmobile
Robinson used the car as a regular driver. However, as the Batman series gained popularity it was leased by All Star Dairies as a promotional vehicle. At that point it was painted in Batman colors and badged with official Batman labels.
It toured the Eastern US. In need of cash to start another fabrication business Robinson sold the car for $200. Later it was abandoned in a New Hampshire field where is sat for almost fifty years. Bobby Smith discovered the car in 2008.
Smith sold the car to a dealer in Chicago who in turn sold it to auto historian George Albright. In 2013 it was purchased by Toy Car Exchange and transported to Borbon Fabrications to be restored. The vehicle retains the original frame, engine and parts.
