Batman debuted on January 12th, 1966. Starring Adam West and Burt Ward, the television series was conceived by William Dozier for 20th Century Fox and based on the DC Comics crime-fighter created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939. Running for three seasons and 120 episodes, Batman followed millionaire Bruce Wayne and his ward, Dick Grayson, as they fought to protect Gotham City from a cavalcade of colourful villains, including The Joker, Catwoman, the Penguin, and the Riddler. Aiding them in this crusade were an arsenal of high-tech gadgets and a sleek set of wheels known as the Batmobile.
Built from a Lincoln Futura concept car by noted customizer George Barris, the Batmobile was powered by a Ford 390 cubic-inch V8 and featured everything from an onboard computer to a bright red emergency telephone connected directly to police headquarters. Known for its eye-catching front fascia, fluorescent red striping, and distinctive dual fins, it became one of the most recognizable rides in popular culture.
In 1972, Corgi released a rather unique die-cast version of the vehicle. Said to have resulted from a production error at the factory, the model featured red tires mounted on eight-spoke hubs. Rather than let the components go to waste, Corgi decided to use them on the production line, creating the highly coveted ‘Red Wheels’ version that remained in circulation for just six months.
Now, that sought-after variant is about to pull back into the Batcave! The Batmobile Red Wheels 60th Anniversary Edition from Corgi recreates the original die-cast toy as a 1:50-scale model. Measuring more than four inches long, the Batmobile features free-rolling red wheels, a matte-black finish, and bat logos emblazoned on the doors. It also includes a working rocket launcher with 12 missiles, period-correct packaging, and an envelope containing an instruction sheet and Batman lapel sticker.
The Batmobile Red Wheels 60th Anniversary Edition is now available for pre-order through Corgi’s website for $54.99 USD and is expected to ship in November 2026.
Turbines to speed, old chum! We’re celebrating 60 years of Batman in style.
