Batmobile Rescue Ship
The Batmobile Rescue Ship (or Birmingham Batmobile) is an maroon and white 1971 Ford Thunderbird used by "Birmingham's Batman" Willie Perry to give free rides and proffer roadside assistance.
The car was heavily customized with tailfins and lights, as well as an assortment of appliances (a toaster oven, soda fountain, phonograph, television, CB radio, and kitchen sink) and adornments (strobe lights, extra antennas, and a custom paint job including the names of women he met along the way).
After Perry's death the car was bought from his widow by the city of Birmingham for $15,000. Until 1992 it was exhibited at the Southern Museum of Flight. It was then moved to a glass-enclosed display area at Fair Park Arena and given periodic washings and at least one new set of tires. There is, however, no signage explaining of the significance of the car.
In 2009 while Fair Park was being redeveloped, the city made plans to sell the Batmobile back to Perry's family for $10 and "consideration for his valuable and meaningful contributions." After a week's delay, the city agreed to keep the car and make plans for restoring it and putting it back on public display.
References
- Reynolds, Ed (June 30, 2005) "Runaway bridegroom." Black & White
- Sanford, Peggy (December 20, 1994) "Sad days for 'Batmobile'." Birmingham News
- Abrams, Vivi (June 24, 2004) "Birmingham's Batman helped those in need; His 'Rescue Ship' still survives." Birmingham News
- Archibald, John (March 24, 2009) "Holy Bat-memories, Birmingham." Birmingham News
- Hansen, Jeff (March 31, 2009) "Birmingham's "Batmobile" will be kept, restored and displayed by city." Birmingham News