Had to send two of these back to play.com due to the inadequate packing. The display window was distressed and creases in the boxes were unforgivable. Not only that - the factory finish from hotwheels is not so cracking either - bubbles in the paintwork, Scratches on the wings and paint missing around the boot and bonnet. I would urge anyone who buys this item to have it out of the box and scrutinize it before popping it on the display shelf and feeling chuffed they finally got to own one. Should have been the best thing ever but it isn't. Gave up it the end as play don't seem to be listening about there packing methods!

The car is fantastic but Play.com only sent it in a plastic bag without any other packaging, so the car's box got damaged. For this price and for collectability, the box has to be in perfect condition.

Play.com, you should send items like this in a box with bubble wrap or something similar, not a plastic bag and nothing more.
I couldn't believe that it would be sent loose in a plastic bag.

In saying that, the car is excellent; thankfully there are no damaged or scratched parts to it. The detail is wonderful. The more expensive versions will be amazing. Well done Hot Wheels!!!

The bonnet is wired down, so you have to unscrew the car from its base to undo the wire and the boot lid has elastic that needs to be cut before opening. Take care when you remove the wire for the bonnet, so that when you do remove it, you don't damage any of the engine parts with the wire.

Finally, a showpiece worthy of the 1966 Batmobile. Great detailing and a perfect sculpt show of the classic car in a way never before seen in die-cast metal. From the door decals to the very fragile gold receptor on the bonnet the whole thing cries out quality. An even better one is on the cars apparently but for most Batfans I think this one will do just fine.

I now have both the standard version and this superb elite version, looking forward to the Super Elite in August, apparently has batchutes come out the rear, plush seats, batphone receiver lifts up, extra fine detailing, bat theme played etc...in answer to Mikepc's question about how to open the bonnet on the elite, turn the model over and inbetween the front wheels there is a plastic cord wrapped around the steering rack, just untwizzle it, and CAREFULLY pull it through, which will loosen the bonnet. All fans of Batman in the sixties should own this model, and only just over 16 thousand produced worldwide, and apparently thats all they are making. Well done Play.Com for making an old man very happy!!

Yes, its arrived and its so well detailed I wish I was small enough to get in and rev up that atomic motor!!! From the tiny BATPHONE to the BATSEATBELTS, and dont forget the mobile crime coputer in the boot; the detailing is amazing. I understand they used the latest medical body scanner technology to scan the original car into their computer design software! It was even supervised by the original designer so it must be as accurate a model (and yes its NOT a toy!) ever of this well beloved car. Any 40 sumit male should have one (and the ladies too; Batwoman and Batgirl would be bowled over!) Yes and sadly I too buried my little corgie Batmobile in the garden(!)
PS only problem is I cant open the bonnet; there must be a hidden button??????

I saw this advertised some months ago and knew then that if I only buy one collectible in 2008 it is this. After many delays (with the makers - not Play), mine arrived this morning and it is marvellous: the detail is remarkable, to doors, boot and bonnet all open and the steering wheel turns the wheels.

I have not had time to examine it in detail yet, but I really don't see how this can be topped although there is an even more limited edition (and far pricier) super elite edition being produced.

One word of warning: THIS IS NOT A TOY. It's a display piece, some of the components are extremely fragile, particularly the bronze coloured spinner in front of the driver/passenger seats.

Like some of the other reviewers, I love the newer, darker, take on Batman, but let's face it who wouldn't want to drive down the High Street in the Adam West Batmobile?

I had a friend who passed away sadly a while back, and he loved Star Trek, but hated the latest Enterprise. There are lots of people like that. I for one(In spite of being 56)I am a modernist, I believe that generally speaking entertainment only gets better with the passing of time. Not so long ago The Lord of the Rings would have been a no go on the production front until CGI. I loved the Adam West Batman in its day, I also loved the Tim Burton Batman, then came the hughly entertaining Batman Begins. And now I can't wait to see the Dark Kinght and the Batpod. I have put in an order for this Batmobile and as, if and when the Batpod comes out I will no doubt buy that too. My moto is we are alive now, so don't live in the past. But you can still celebrate it!

I too had this car when I was a kid, and like a kid I buried it in my back garden!! When I saw that they re-released it, I had to have it. Whilst I agree that the Batman is dark, the 60's show was the reason I became a Bat fan (no pun intended).

Spandex had not yet been invented in the 1960's and although the TV show was a parody, Batman was portrayed as a relativly light hearted character in the comics of the time and not a psychotic "Dark Knight".

Dark knight yes but it doesn't get camper than Adam West in spandex. Not that i am questioning the manlyness of spandex!. Very nice model though