Dark Knight’s Batpod sells for £312,000

A Batpod from The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises movies has been sold at auction for £312,000.

Batman’s hi-tech motorbike was custom designed for the blockbusters and was one of the highest selling lots in Prop Store’s London auction.

In The Dark Knight, Batman (Christian Bale) used the Batpod to escape during his battle with the Joker (Heath Ledger) and in an unsuccessful attempt to save Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

In The Dark Knight Rises, Batman and Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) hopped on the vehicle during their battles with Bane (Tom Hardy) and the new League of Shadows.

Conceived by director Christopher Nolan and production designer Nathan Crowley, the Batpod was intended to provide an alternative to Batmans trusty Tumbler vehicle.

Six of the vehicles were built and they were largely driven by stunt rider Jean-Pierre Goy during filming. They also featured at numerous events promoting the films.

The unique Batpod is designed for a rider in a prone position, who steers the vehicle with their arms and shoulders, and it features advanced design elements such as an exhaust system integrated within the framework.

“I hesitate to call it a motorcycle because its design was much more exotic and powerful looking than a tradition motorcycle,” explained Nolan in the book, ‘The Art and Making of The Dark Knight Trilogy’.

The Batpod features a custom-made chassis with 31 Hoosier racing tyres and a Honda 750cc engine.

Fibreglass body panels finished in metallic grey paint cover the bike’s engine and handlebars and a pair of cannon barrels made of plastic, resin and fibreglass are secured at the front of the vehicle. There’s also a laser targeting unit fitted above the right hand grip.

A radiator and hydraulics are fitted behind the saddle, and the braking system is operated by controls on the left handle and the right pedal.

Black foam padding is installed on the body, saddle and knee rests for comfort whilst riding. Well-used on both productions, the Batpod “displays some wear to the body panels and some light corrosion on the chassis, with damage to the left gun mount as a result of use on set”.

However, the Batpod was “sold in non-functional rolling only condition”, having been drained of all fluids, while the battery, fuel tank and throttle controls had all been removed. It was the first Batpod ever to go on sale though.

The post Dark Knight’s Batpod sells for £312,000 appeared first on Automotive Blog.

from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/09/dark-knights-batpod-sells-for-312000/
Looking for a dash cam for your vehicle? Check out Dash Cam Buyers Guide: http://dashcambuyersguide.com/

from
http://dashcambuyersguide.tumblr.com/post/151054230578