Well first let me say that this has been one heck of a week. Not just at work but blog-wise. I've spent a bunch of time just correcting errors in my posts. Nearly all of them errors of omission, where I left out things in my scanning. The scans for the Built-Rite Business Block, piece no. 1, had to be redone (see blog post for June 21) as well as scans for the 1952 Marx Catalog in which I had left out pgs 10 & 11 (see blog post for May 8 - the two pages have now been added). But ya know, that's okay, I'm thankful for reader's who are able to spot the errors and bring them to my attention. I mean after all, how can I sit here trying to present a full visual accounting of these things when they're missing crucial elements right? Thanx guys!
The Batmobile gets the lion's share of attention with the toy makers, and for good reason. But it is refreshing from time to time to see a toy specifically marketed as Bruce Wayne's private ride. But there aren't many. Washington Models made the 1949 Mercury Convertible in, I think, 1/18 scale. In any case it's a larger size car. The 1949 Mercury was used in the 1949 Batman serial starring Robert Lowery as Batman and the car pulls double-duty as Bruce Wayne's private ride and the Batmobile. However, the Washington Mint does not market the vehicle as the Batmobile or as Bruce Wayne's car, it is simply just another die-cast car in their collection. Mattel does offer a three-pack of sports cars (a Ferrari, Jaguar, and Cobra) marketed as the 'Hot Wheels Batman Bruce Wayne Collection' and incIudes a figure of Alfred (nice touch). I can't say whether the cars are an accurate reflection of what appeared on-screen or if they were just three regular schmuck vehicles Mattel threw together just to make a buck! In 1991 Kenner made a 'Batman Returns Bruce Wayne Custom Coupe' followed in 1993 by a 'Batman The Animated Series Bruce Wayne Street Jet' both of which were large format cars for 4" or 6" figures.
Now, onto today's toy, the 1/64 scale Ertl Bruce Wayne car from 'Batman, the Animated Series'. The Ertl offering is different from the other offerings mentioned above. It's not a modern era sports car nor is it gimmicky. It is a very cool, very street-normal looking retro Cord-like design taken directly from the animated series. Overall I love the design but unfortunately on the toy the paint job is less than spectacular. Not counting the rub spot on the right rear fender from being in the package, there is some really sloppy painting on this car. I have two of these and they're both the same. This is not the quality I had come to expect from Ertl but it's no use complaining to them because the toy is already almost ten years old! Oh well. It's still a really neat addition to the growing stable of Bat-vehicles. Enjoy!
