The 89 MattMobile Build Thread.

[MattMunson]

If I remember correctly, they were built on a Impala chassis, which is very similar to the Caprice. However I think it was a earlier model.
So I guess your buying a fiberglass kit, to fit over the chassis? If so, will the company that makes the kits ship to Ohio?

Correct all around, Jason. The ones for the first movie were made using 2 impala Chassissessess. I don't know why it took two, but that's the word on the street. It was definitely an earlier model. After all, the movies came out in 89 and 92, and this car is from 96.

Yes, I will be getting a fiberglass kit that goes over the lengthened chassis.

one of the reasons I kicked off this project is that I am no longer in Ohio, but back in SoCal.

ALSO, today is Batman's birthday!!! Detective Comics 27 came out like a billion years ago today.

[MattMunson]

you sir have too much time and money on your hands

One of the curses of being a bachelor with no kids and a good job!

[MattMunson]

a bunch more pictures have been posted on my blog:

The Project Workbench: More Caprice Pictures

[Amish Trooper]

Besides cosmetics the car looks to be in great shape. Will you be using the site chicks Love the car for reference?

[EvilRocketeer]

You would want to be Dick

[MattMunson]

Besides cosmetics the car looks to be in great shape. Will you be using the site chicks Love the car for reference?

Yes. that is my primary source of information, inspiration and motivation. I have been a member there for YEARS and YEARS, doing lots of reading and research, and sort of just waiting for the state of the hobby to get to a point where it was approachable by casual builders.

Years ago, EVERYTHING was kept secret, even build pictures. You had to know people really well to get any kind of information given to you, and there were good reasons for this. Things have really changed over the years, and in my opinion, right now is simply the BEST time to start a build like this.

not only are there a number of very well documented builds out there that give LOADS of information on how to do your own build, but there are people supplying parts that are easier to get ahold of. Kits are now competitively priced, and it's not as "underground" as it used to be.

[silentknight229]

That's an awesome find. Excellent frame to use for the 89 since the size would be fairly close to the old Impalas that were used. I would probably tweak out the suspension and brake set up so it's a bit more drivable than the movie car. Are you going to go with a similar engine to what they used or have you thought of going with something different?

I always figured if I was going to do an 89 I would use something with a bit more power. If you're not locked into using the same block they did you might consider playing around with dropping a Dodge RT engine like they use in the Viper's. They're fairly easy to obtain but they are a bit up there in price, although to put that kind of power on an engine you'd probably spend about the same amount. I'd probably have some fun with the flame thrower on the back as well.

Anyway whatever you end up doing this'll be very cool. Good luck.

Steve

[thevictim]

why not buy the original...

Batmobile Movie car 1992

only US $285,100.00 and reserve not met yet...

[AmazonChitlin]

Those LT1's are by no means slow. Plus you have all the heavy duty stuff already in. I think you made a great choice!

Where are you going to make the cuts to lengthen the body, and how are you going to keep it all aligned when you weld it all back together?

This looks to be an awesome project!!

[Bowelrock]

Matt i volunteer to take photos in my 89 Dullam suit With your car when its done.

[MattMunson]

That's an awesome find. Excellent frame to use for the 89 since the size would be fairly close to the old Impalas that were used. I would probably tweak out the suspension and brake set up so it's a bit more drivable than the movie car. Are you going to go with a similar engine to what they used or have you thought of going with something different?

I'm definitely going to re-do the suspension. Going to put in an airbag kit so that I can raise it up when I see speed bumps, or for loading it onto a trailer. The car sits ridiculously close to the ground, and the builds that I've seen and admired the most end up using an airbag system to alleviate this problem.

I'm leaving the engine in that came with the car. Honestly, the only driving I'll be doing with this is to and from the gas station, and on and off a trailer. This is not intended to be a performance car by any means. I'd be terrified of breaking it The good news is that the engine already onboard is pretty rock solid, and the Caprice has some amazing pickup to it. I was pretty surprised the first time I dropped the pedal down to the floor.

I always figured if I was going to do an 89 I would use something with a bit more power. If you're not locked into using the same block they did you might consider playing around with dropping a Dodge RT engine like they use in the Viper's.

Another reason I'm sticking with the motor as is is simply to reduce complexity. My main goal here is to have a drivable 89 Keaton Car. I'm not looking to be able to go 120 mph on the 405 Still, I do appreciate the suggestions. Who knows, a year from now I might think totally differently.

[MattMunson]

Those LT1's are by no means slow. Plus you have all the heavy duty stuff already in. I think you made a great choice!

Where are you going to make the cuts to lengthen the body, and how are you going to keep it all aligned when you weld it all back together?

This looks to be an awesome project!!

Thanks AC! If you see me doing anything along the way that looks like I'm about to screw things up royally, please don't hesitate to jump in and give me some pointers. As mentioned, this is all new territory for me, and I need to make sure I'm questioning and validating all of my assumptions along the way.

I have seen a few builds over at CLTC that documented the lengthening process. Basically, once you strip the car down, you have two lengths of steel. I'll probably just take a sawzall to them both, while the chassis is mounted on jack stands. Before I cut, I'll mark a bunch of dots on the frame, or find fixed points and take measurements. Length, width, and cross. Once the frame is moved apart, you slide in new lengths of steel. I'll then recalculate the distances for all the points, make sure they are all perfect, then start welding.

This is CURRENTLY my vision of how I will do this process. I can absolutely guarantee you that i will be consulting with a few successful builders before making ANY cuts, so this may change. But I think in general, the principles are sound.

[MattMunson]

Matt i volunteer to take photos in my 89 Dullam suit With your car when its done.

Only if you let me borrow the suit for a trip to the gas station for a fill up! We're about the same size, right???

[bobbyc]

Your in for the long Haul!! are you back in Cali ?
Words of Advice , Dont Stop building , if you go into a store and ask for a part, dont tell them it is for a batmobile. If I had a dollar for every one that laughed at me I could match Bruce Wayne's bank account !!
Also dont skimp, buy the best of everything even if you have to wait.
and when you are ready to paint this I have some paint left over from my car
I can send to you, it is the perfect Black ,looks like a panthers pelt.

[MattMunson]

Good advice all around, BC. Thanks! Your paint does indeed look perfect, and right where I want my car to be. I'm going to be going for the satin finish. I think it looks best, and is how it should be.

And yes, I am back in California! whoohoo!!!

[Jedifyfe]

Matt, are you going to do screen accurate interior as well?

[Hazelrah]

Matt, I think the first piece of advice that most people have over looked is this.... when it comes time to start stripping the car down... even though the car looks rough... take care in removing the body panels and interior as a lot of those parts can be resold to a junk yard to help alleviate costs...and if they are too far gone they are still worth scrap steel price...as well as all the copper in the electrical system if that is being replaced as well....if you have any questions about the lengthening process let me know...I can give a few tips on making sure your frame ends up square and solid.

[E-Wan]

Can we call it the Mattmobile?

[MattMunson]

Can we call it the Mattmobile?

and there it is.

I've actually been looking for a name for the car, since calling it "The Batmobile" is pretty much asking for trouble from uncle WB. Black car, I hereby dub thee... the MattMobile!!!!

[Hazelrah]

That just screams for some artistic licensing on your part...I think stylized M's on the hubcaps in place of the bats is a must....

[MattMunson]

Matt, I think the first piece of advice that most people have over looked is this.... when it comes time to start stripping the car down... even though the car looks rough... take care in removing the body panels and interior as a lot of those parts can be resold to a junk yard to help alleviate costs...

Definitely! Having read over a large number of build blogs (for movie cars and other cars) I see that this is very common, and depending on the car can completely cover the cost. There is a giant kit Lamborghini community out there, who often build on top of a Pontiac Fiero base. Apparently, the Fiero is worth more in parts than as a car. Though I doubt the same is true for a Caprice, even getting a couple hundred bucks back would significantly offset the price of the car, and would be great.

Seeing as how the tires and rims are going to run me around 2k, I figure every penny will count.

[MattMunson]

Matt, are you going to do screen accurate interior as well?

I am not sure. As of today, I think the answer is no.

The interior dashboard was made from a bunch of cobbled together aviation control panels. They are difficult to find, and expensive. They are also mostly non functioning. I guess my thinking right now is that for something that will cost so much and take so much time, it will rarely/barely be seen. Just seems like an awful little bang for buck.

I probably won't use the accurate seats either, for the same reason. They are expensive and really hard to find. And nobody will ever know that I have the "wrong" seats.

The good news is that should I change my mind years down the road, I can always go back and make it screen accurate.

I've put together a spreadsheet that has my design goals in it. I should probably post them here to get some feedback.

[MattMunson]

That just screams for some artistic licensing on your part...I think stylized M's on the hubcaps in place of the bats is a must....

Lol. I think for the exterior, I am going to go for as close to screen seen as possible, idealized where necessary. The side mechanics are a different issue. I will just be using the repro's that come with the kit. They look fine, but they're not perfect.

[nick daring]

Can't wait to see this build. I've followed CLTC for years to watching all the developments. Some amazing builds there.

Spreadsheet! Look who's all organized and stuff. That's the only way to tackle a giant project like this. Otherwise you get overwhelmed and can lose focus. Also keeps your budget constantly in sight.

Got plans for the side mechancis yet? I still think those haven't been discovered yet, right?

Also will yours have the crazy wide rear wheel base? If I remember right most of the body kits have that pulled in a little since it was hard to fit the original 89 on a trailer.

So many details to figure out with this project. It's my dream project honestly.

Nick

[MattMunson]

Also will yours have the crazy wide rear wheel base? If I remember right most of the body kits have that pulled in a little since it was hard to fit the original 89 on a trailer.

Somewhere along the evolution of the body, four inches was trimmed off each of the rear hubs, for the exact reason you stated. It could not be fit on a standard trailer. The 92 (batman returns) batmobile has these thinned down hubs, and so do all of the kits available.