Lincoln Futura

The Futura in brief

The Futura was a Ford design car, intended to showcase what future cars might look like, according to the manufacturer. Its body featured a plastic bubble roof and long rear fenders.

Like many concepts of the time, it was never meant to be produced in series. The key was the ideas and style, which later inspired some production models.

History and creation

The Futura was designed by Bill Schmidt and John Najjar, with the body handcrafted by the Italian coachbuilder Ghia in Turin. According to widely reported figures, the car's creation cost around $250,000 — a huge sum at the time.

The car was shown at exhibitions, and in 1959 it appeared in the film It Started with a Kiss, so it reached a wider audience.

Technical details

According to descriptions, the Futura had a large Lincoln V8 engine and an automatic transmission. The body was long, low, and wide, with large front headlights, recessed tail lights, and a cabin that looked almost space-age.

As a design demonstration object, it was tailored for show, not daily use, so its practical features (comfort, boot space, visibility) were secondary.

Value and where to find it

The Futura is best known as the Batmobile: in the mid-1960s, George Barris transformed this car into the first Batmobile for the TV series 'Batman' (1966). It was then that it became one of the most recognizable cars in the world.

The original Batmobile was sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in 2013 for $4.62 million. Several replicas were also made, which are displayed at various events.

Two key phases in the car's life

No trims; we outline the main phases.

Futura and the concept cars of its time

The Futura stands out not just for its shape but also for its later history — it's one of the few concepts to become a cultural icon.

Frequently asked questions