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Mattel has announced a new production line of Hot Wheels die-cast cars inspired by the Batmobile featured in the 1966 “Batman” television series. The legendary crime-fighting vehicle was designed by custom automotive icon, George Barris, and has since become a lasting symbol of the Batman franchise. Under the partnership, Mattel will produce Hot Wheels Batmobiles, which will begin arriving at retail locations in 2007.
This launch of the Batmobile commemorates the 40th anniversary of the “Batman” television series, which initially aired in 1966, and reintroduces one of television’s most recognized vehicles to an entirely new generation of Batman fans and collectors alike.
In recognition of the occasion, Mattel will produce multiple scales of the Hot Wheels Batmobile, including a 1:64th scale model that will appear on store shelves in Spring 2007 in the Hot Wheels basic car line. In Fall 2007, there will be an additional 1:64th scale model introduced as well as a 1:43rd scale replica model and a 1:18th scale, which will have three levels of detail and finish. The ultimate version, the Hot Wheels Elite™ special edition Batmobile, will have enough detail to delight even the most discriminating of Batmobile collectors.