Holy 4th of July, It's the Batmobile!

Crime took a holiday in Livingston this 4th of July with the arrival of the Dynamic Duo and the famous Batmobile.

Owners Louie and Anna Marie Magnifico dressed the part and enjoyed sharing their love for the classic TV series and -- most especially -- the car with the children at township's 17th annual car show.

"I grew up watching the car on TV," said Louie Magnifico, "and to me it, (the car) was the star of the show. When I got older I had to have it."

According to the owners, this Batmobile is a re-creation of the original TV version built by Gotham City Supercars.  "It all works," according to Louie, "The rockets, the saw blade, the parachutes, the detectascope, the Batcomputer, everything works and has more firepower than the original.” 

When asked how much a fully-functional Batmobile costs, the owners would rather not say, but added the reaction they get from kids is priceless.

The original Batmobile was built by George Barris for the TV series Batman, which aired on ABC January 12, 1966, and lasted for three seasons. The original Batmobile was a customized Ford Futura that previously appeared on-screen in the Glen Ford/Debbie Reynolds comedy, It Started with a Kiss (1959).

There were five original Batmobiles made by Barris.  The No.1 and No. 5 are metal cars, with the stunt car being the No 5. The No. 2 and 3 Cars were made from fiberglass. The No. 4 car was the exhibition car which went on tour in the United States in the1960s and is owned by a private collector in New Jersey.  It was sold by Barris in an auction in 1983 for more than $100,000.  The No. 5 car was also sold to a New Jersey resident for $185,000. His wife bought it for him for his 28th birthday. Some birthday present!

Batmobile owners Louie and Anna Marie Magnifico said they brought their pride and joy to the Livingston car show to make the kids happy. This is one kid who was glad they did!