Collecting Batmobiles: Clifford Batmobile
A new installment here at PMB! will feature posts about classic Batmobile toys and collectibles.
First up is the Clifford Batmobile from 1966-8.
I’ve been collecting Batmobiles for 43 years. Ever since my parents brought me home my first Corgi Batmobile gift set, it’s been an obsession with me. Sometimes I look for super-accuracy. Sometimes I enjoy the strange results of those familiar lines being put through a cultural translator, sometimes the packaging or a unique take on the subject matter draws me in.
With this toy, it’s a smattering of many elements. This is a 7 inch long plastic friction powered car. At first glance, it’s not much different than the more common Ahi cars, but there are some significant differences. The chromed rocket tubes, the stencil-sprayed door bats, the addition of the red pinstriping (few toys did this), the silver grilles – all made this Batmobile toy a little cooler.
My favorite aspect of this toy is the wonderfully designed box art. Utilizing the correct show typeface, the correct ‘bat signal’ and a great color illustration of the car (from TWO angles no less) with an Adam West styled Batman (taken from a popular publicity still) all make this one of the best-rendered boxes from the era.
It’s a great addition to any Batmobile collection. Not hyper-rare, but uncommon, these have gone for as much as $300 MIB but I often see them for FAR less loose.
If you find one without the box – buy it. You’re in luck. You can either download and make your own box from Dave Van Der Heeden’s excellent site: http://www.thebatmobile.nl/ . Or buy a pre-assembled, pre-shrinkwrapped replica box from Toy Tent.
Clifford, 7″ Friction-Powered Batmobile, 1966/8, Hong Kong (pictured missing siren/antler assembly)
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Nice! I’ve always liked that toy-especially the box art!
Go Shocking Blue!
Clifford-vs-Hoover?
I have 2 of these and both do not have red pinstriping, both do not have beacon or antlers, and the bottom reads 312 MADE IN HONG KONG
I have reference picture from various sources/auctions in which the same car has the red pinstriping and does not have the beacon nor antlers and the markings underneath say HOOVER 312 MADE IN HONG KONG (the Hoover name has a large “V” with wings flanking the uprights)
Do you own your pictured car, I ask because I have that exact photo stored dated 2006, if so what are the marking underneath.
Looking for any other info on these cars.
I am assuming the Hoover version has the red pinstripes and the Clifford does not, however I could be wrong, with variations possible on each.
Hi A.P. Yeah that was my car and my photo of it. I sold that one a couple years back so it’s out there in the world and I can’t check the markings on that one. I have had the Hoover marked versions as well. I hadn’t noticed the pinstriping vs. none pattern before. I will look through my other photos and see what I have available.