76328 Batman: The Classic TV Series Batmobile adds another large-scale Batman vehicle to the collection, which began in 2006. I am surprised LEGO has taken so long to produce this version of the Batmobile at bigger than minifigure-scale, considering its iconic status.
The wait was seemingly worthwhile, however, as this model looks outstanding and captures many memorable details from the classic Batmobile, especially inside. There are a couple of issues though, relating to the minifigure and the conspicuous lack of functions.
Summary
76328 Batman: The Classic TV Series Batmobile, 1,822 pieces.
£129.99 / $149.99 / €149.99 | 7.1p/8.2c/8.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
This is an incredible model of the Batmobile for display, but it lacks functionality
- Outstanding display value
- Impressive size
- Detailed interior
- Very reasonable price
- Very few functions
- No Robin minifigure
- Awkward wheel arch shaping
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
Only one minifigure is included, which is a little disappointing. This was an ideal opportunity to revisit Robin from the 1960s television series, who last appeared in 76052 Batman Classic TV Series Batcave from 2016, but sadly he is missing again. Batman is supplied though, featuring the same torso and cowl as the minifigure from 76188 Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile.
These elements look excellent and I love the zip on the back of the torso, as well as the shiny belt buckle. However, the dual-moulded legs are new and they are always welcome, denoting Batman's boots. Furthermore, the fabric cape used previously has been swapped for a rubber piece, which debuted in 76274 Batman with the Batmobile vs. Harley Quinn and Mr. Freeze.
The rubber capes introduced this year divide opinion and I am not convinced it works for this version of Batman, whose cape was evidently made of fabric onscreen. The moulded texture looks fairly realistic though, at least. Similarly, I think the double-sided head could be improved because the skin tone seems relatively pale, printed on a dark blue head.
Reference
Source - Batman.fandom.com
The Completed Model
Batman is equipped with a batarang and stands on a familiar display base, featuring a winged grotesque. Similar bases have appeared in several other sets and this one bears a particularly strong resemblance to the base in 30653 Batman 1992. While the detail seems reasonable, the gothic design is wholly unsuitable for Adam West's fun portrayal of Batman.
An information plaque is also included. Whereas those in Star Wars sets are now printed, this one uses a sticker, unfortunately. Nevertheless, it looks superb and matches those in previous large-scale Batmobile sets, albeit with a splash of vibrant colour for the classic television series' logo.
The classic 1966 Batmobile is renowned for its smoothly curving bodywork, which sometimes causes problems for LEGO designs. However, I think this version looks fantastic on the whole, achieving brilliant accuracy to the original car. The nose is particularly impressive in that regard, given its complexity, which smaller renditions of this Batmobile have struggled to recreate.
Furthermore, the car is absolutely massive, measuring 50cm in length. I should have expected this, considering the size of 76139 1989 Batmobile and 76240 Batmobile Tumbler, but because the Batmobile was designed around a Lincoln Futura concept car, it bears a closer resemblance to traditional cars than most Batmobiles. On that basis, I had envisaged this model as similar to Icons vehicles, but it is much bigger.
The scale is therefore very similar to the 1989 Batmobile and the Tumbler, so the three should work perfectly together on display. The proportions of the vehicle are realistic as well, although the view from the side reveals some problems, highlighting compromises with the wheel arches and the shaping towards the back.
There are no such issues at the front. The combination of curved slopes looks great and I love how the red bands around the radiators are constructed. Even though their shape is not wholly accurate, I think highly specialised elements would be needed to do any better, especially since the designer has mostly avoided using stickers to recreate the vehicle's red stripes.
A few stickers are applied to signal important features, however, matching the original car. 42 stickers are used in total, which is quite a lot, although the vast majority form small details like these signs and controls inside the twin cockpits. More printed elements would be welcome, of course, but the stickers do not feel excessive to me.
In addition, the 1x2 rounded tiles mounted on the wheels are printed, including Batman's red symbol from the television series. The wheel arches look awkward though, given they should curve smoothly around the wheels, whereas these level out in the middle. Admittedly, building shallow curves is very difficult, although swapping the 1x3x2 bows for 3x3 or 4x4 curved tiles could soften the shape.
Batman's symbol reappears on each side, this time represented by stickers. Functional doors would have been a lovely addition, but I understand their absence because the doors split the elongated tail fins when opened, which would almost certainly affect the fins' shape.
Though its doors cannot open, the cockpit is definitely my favourite area of the model. A pair of new 6x6x3 and 8x6x3 windscreen elements have been created for the front and back, faithfully recreating the distinctive windscreens from the original car. Beyond looking excellent here, I can envisage these serving as canopies on other models, such as a large ARC-170 starfighter.
Moreover, the windscreens are packaged in their own paper bags, so they should arrive free of scratches. On the other hand, the elements are noticeably cloudy. This has been an issue for a while, but has not really bothered me until now, perhaps because their cloudiness is particularly obvious against the dark bodywork.
The interior is fantastic though, including a variety of devices and control systems seen in the show. The steering wheel is decorated with a stickered speedometer and looks nice, although the steering is non-functional. There is plenty of room for a basic steering mechanism under the bonnet, so I find its absence a bit disappointing.
All the necessary internal details are provided though, such as orange signs highlighting the Batscanner, the 'start button' and the Bat Ram. I like the stickered cover over the Batscanner, while another sticker forms a switch panel beside the steering wheel. The compass is included as well, featuring one more sticker beneath a trans-clear 2x2 dish.
Other features include realistic pedals, which are almost entirely hidden when construction is complete. The famous emergency Bat-Turn lever and the gear lever can also be found inside, accurately surrounded by silver grilles, alongside the red Batphone and the handbrake.
Robin's side of the car, meanwhile, includes the Detect-a-Scope, the radio and another silver compartment, mirroring that on Batman's side. The seats are cleverly assembled using black masonry bricks for texture, with a branded fire extinguisher stowed between them, exactly as shown onscreen.
Pearl silver Technic connectors comprise the exhausts behind the cockpits, which memorably launch fireworks when the Riddler attempts to steal the Batmobile. These are attached to click hinges, so they are adjustable, but the exhausts are intended to remain at a steep angle.
The bodywork around the exhausts is very smooth, only interrupted by occasional studs where hinges and wedge plates are needed. Similarly, the tail fins look superb and I like the scalloped ends, including some more stickers to finish the red stripes. Ideally, these 1x2 inverted half arch bricks would be printed, although applying the stickers carefully does minimise gaps.
Opening the boot reveals the on-board computer, which is another essential feature from the television series, linked to the computer in the Batcave. The sign identifying the Mobile Crime Computer needs a sticker, but the red and white bands on top, which move while the computer works onscreen, are constructed with alternating tiles.
Several more stickers are applied around the computer though, forming a data printer towards the back and a network of cables underneath. I mentioned earlier that many of the stickers are necessary, but I think these cables could have used flexible whips instead.
The layered bodywork continues to impress at the back, again featuring accurate red stripes alongside smaller details. For instance, reddish brown backpacks store parachutes deployed when the Batmobile needs to turn suddenly, while two more stickers identify the defensive nail spreaders, used to stop pursuing vehicles.
A pearl silver wheel forms the rocket engine and looks great, although slightly modification is needed to attach a flame, which is a shame. The final sticker is found beneath the engine, for the number plate. Four different plates are used throughout the television series and the movie, but this one is the most common.
Overall
While not perfect, 76328 Batman: The Classic TV Series Batmobile undoubtedly reaches the high standard of other large-scale Batmobile models. The bodywork is beautifully constructed and captures the streamlined shape of the classic vehicle accurately, while the level of detail is remarkable too, albeit rather reliant on stickers.
The number of stickers may be a concern for some, but I am more disappointed by the lack of functions. I think functional steering and maybe a few hidden gadgets, like the Bat Ram, could have been added quite easily. On the other hand, including those functions would increase the piece count and probably the price, which seems reasonable at £129.99, $149.99 or €149.99. Purely as a display model, this Batmobile is exceptional.
63 likes
17 comments on this article
By WolfpackBricksOfficial in United States,
Alright LEGO... you can stop doing 18+ Batmobiles now... just stop at any time...
By Retroblox77 in Australia,
Only thing I find interesting about this set are those windscreen pieces. They have a lot of potential!
By daniellesa in United Kingdom,
It would have been helpful to have the computer more detailed, although I have no idea if that is actually accurate, having never watched the show.
By peterlmorris in United States,
Did you try taking some mildly soapy water and rinsing the canopies with it, then wiping them dry? I’ve had some success with newer trans clear canopies by doing that. It seems to remove some of the cloudiness which I think is maybe a leftover mold-release lubricant or something.
I have a recent photo on my Flickr stream of two trans clear bubble canopies; one of polycarbonate, the other the newer mabs. They are indistinguishable in normal light, but under ultraviolet the mabs fluoresces slightly.
By Murdoch17 in United States,
TO THE BATMOBILE!
(I can't believe I'm the first to say this in this thread!)
By ALEXDTI in Italy,
If less function means a more reasonable prices I'm more for this route tbh
Especially if it's stuff you are going to see when building it
Like the motor and stuff like that are cool to build and knowing that are there, but in all honestly after I built it I never looked at those hidden details after finish it building it
By Rednaxela in United Kingdom,
I’ve got this as a Christmas present. I’m really excited, but terrified at the longevity of the stickers. Half my collection has crumbling stickers after only a few years on display alongside other models of the same age that have perfect stickers.
Will these crumble or survive Robin? Only TIME will tell…
By Brickalili in United Kingdom,
But how does it compare to the shadow box version?
Oh, sorry, we not doing that bit anymore?
By WizardOfOss in Netherlands,
Fair review! The set does have a few issues, I'd say the lack of steering is the biggest one, and I think at least those stickers on the side should have been prints. And those milky windscreen pieces....let's just hope the trick mentioned above works. On the other hand, it's quite a bit bigger than I initially thought, I've seen comparisons with the big Ecto-1 and it actually beats it. Lack of functions is a bit disappointing, but to be fair, I don't think I've touched those on the Ecto-1 in quite a while (but it displays nice with angled wheels...).
Had the set in my hands yesterday at the local toy store, already at a discount (€133). But I still have a few other sets to build, so it will have to wait....
By beatnik in Germany,
HOLY MAKARONI!!! Batman is sidekickless!
By GusG in Portugal,
Would love to see it next to the delorean, for example, to grasp the scale
By Maxbricks14 in New Zealand,
Hey guys, look. Another Batmobile! And it's not entirely black for a change!
By sjr60 in United Kingdom,
Fantastic version of the only worthwhile Batmobile. Who needs opening doors? Any caped crusader worth his salt leaps in over them! (And Robin can come later with a Batcopter!)
By ohrmazd in United States,
I am not one who applies stickers usually… I have all the other batmobiles up to this point and the large scale batwing, all sticker-free, but this might be the first one where adding the stickers may be 100% necessary for proper effect.
By kolaxanthe in United Kingdom,
I love this batmobile, so I'm glad they finally did a large scale version which I'll definitely be buying (when back in stock). My only problem is the lack of Robin - I don't normally care about the minifigures, but to include Batman without Robin in this set just doesn't feel right. Still getting it though.
By b2_O in United Kingdom,
Robin, fetch the battery!
By Norikins in United States,
@b2_O said:
"Robin, fetch the battery!"
Batman, what's a tery?
