It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me. These words from Bruce Wayne depict the importance of the original 1963 Batmobile, designed by a young and ambitious Forrest Robinson. Posted by the Aficionauto, host Christopher Rutkowski introduces us to the vehicle and its storied journey to what it is today.

Forrest Robinson standing with his creation in 1966.

Sid Belzberg, the owner of the original Batmobile, first spotted the unique car with his wife Alicia online. Not knowing it was the first official licensed Batmobile ever built, this futuristic design wasn’t even intended to be a Batmobile originally.

Built by Forrest Robinson, he was a young car enthusiast who was simply experimenting with fiberglass, a fairly new avenue discovered during the late 1940s. Belzberg said the late 1940s was when designers began constructing fiberglass kit cars.

“As a young boy, growing up in the 1950s, I enjoyed Batman comics and seeing different versions of the Batmobile,” said Robinson. “This helped serve as an inspiration when I drew sketches of my dream car that I started building in 1960 and finished in 1963.”

Furthermore, Belzberg said the car was basically forgotten by society. An important piece to American history, the Batmobile caught Alicia Belzberg’s eye despite the vehicle’s excessive rust and neglect.

“It was the one and only car he ever did; his calling in life was probably an auto designer,” Belzberg said.

“Nobody knew there was a Batmobile running around before George Barris’ car,” said Belzberg. “Until 2008, this car was forgotten, just laying there since 1968.”

Robinson’s car design in the Batman comics.

Searching for a place to restore it, Belzberg went to Borbon Fabrications in Sacramento, California. Shop owner Mario Borbon was astounded and motivated to bring the Batmobile back to glory.

“He’s resourceful, very creative, superbly capable and a great mechanic,” Alicia Belzberg said.

Speaking about Forrest Robinson, Borbon said Robinson wasn’t very wealthy. Moreover, he said Robinson only had a welder, grinder and some hand tools.

Taking a year to restore, Borbon worked long and tireless hours, displaying his dedication and attention to detail during the restoration process. Belzberg said the project was essentially a labor of love.

“Back then we thought the Batmobile was really neat so we decided to build our own,” said Belzberg.“Many of the features on the car were reminiscent of the 1950s comic book Batmobiles.”

Jay Leno posing with the Batmobile.

In regards to Robinson’s design, Belzberg said the huge single dorsal fin in the rear and bat face in the front signified the vehicle’s tribute to Batman. As a result, he said DC Comics benefitted greatly from Robinson’s design, who went on to take the design and build it in 1963.

“There were literally crowds around the car,” said Belzberg. “Everyone from Jay Leno to George Barris loved this car.”

Borbon said he was very lucky to be able to complete the project at someone else’s expense. He said although the project was overwhelming and took a bit longer than expected, he was happy when George Barris complimented Borbon on the beautiful Batmobile restoration.

With Belzberg actually into collecting Hot Wheels, Borbon’s suggestion for Belzberg to start collecting real cars was not a bad idea whatsoever.