Summary

Re-creation from ABC-TV's "Batman" series, previously "Mongrel T" built for Elvis' 1967 film "Easy Come, Easy Go." Built for owner using 1923 Ford Model T, channeled body, wild colors and custom accessories. From The Dr. Stewart A. Berkowitz Collection.

Details

This vehicle is a replica of the "Jokermobile" as seen in the "Batman" television series that aired from 1966 to 1968. It is built off on a modified 1923 Ford Model T chassis. During the 1960s, the remarkable success of the many award-winning show cars modified by Barris Kustoms led to seemingly endless requests for special TV, movie and promotional vehicles. In addition to considerable work from Ford Motor Company for its popular "Caravan of Stars" traveling custom-car road shows crisscrossing the nation, Barris seemingly did the impossible by meeting movie and TV deadlines with increasingly wild custom vehicles. Helping with the process was Barris' ability to repurpose some of his custom builds for more than one film or TV project. His outrageous "Mongrel T" is an ideal case in point, having been built in 1966 from a ubiquitous 1923 Ford Model T, originally for the 1967 Elvis Presley movie "Easy Come, Easy Go." True to its "Mongrel" name, the Model T featured a Touring-style body, channeled 4 inches over the frame rails, with Ford FE-Series big-block power, a Cadillac "Batwing" air cleaner, Cal Custom injector-style intakes, and "big and little" wheels and tires. In the adventurous 1960s idiom, surfboards formed the seat backs, and a Diest drag parachute resided inside the rear spare tire. Up front, an iconic Rolls-Royce-style chrome grille and vintage drum-style headlamps reinforced the car's decidedly groovy, "new is old" vibe. Naugahyde upholstery, multi-colored body panels and shaggy carpeting completed the look. After starring with Elvis in the movie, the "Mongrel T" was slightly updated by Barris Kustoms to become the "Jokermobile" used by the Caped Crusader's arch nemesis, the Joker, portrayed by legendary actor Cesar Romero in the "Batman" TV series during the last two seasons the show aired on ABC (1967-68). Beginning as a 1923 Ford Model T, this vehicle was acquired in 2017 by Dr. Berkowitz and converted by Keith Dean at South End Kustom of Hemet, CA, into a faithful and well-executed replica of the crazy "Jokermobile" of TV fame. Details include a reproduction Rolls-Royce radiator/grille, authentic Rolls-Royce drum headlights from the 1920s and extremely rare Rader front wheels. Keith Dean also drove the car in the 2019 Hollywood Christmas Parade, with Dr. Berkowitz riding in the back dressed as The Riddler, together with Nate Truman of Star Car Central. From The Dr. Stewart A. Berkowitz Collection.