7 TV, Movie, and Celeb-Owned Cars Crossing the Block in Scottsdale

Barrett-Jackson

The January auction madness is upon us. The biggest month for collector car auctions always brings out hoards of interesting machines, from red-blooded muscle to rare examples of some of the most legendary cars on earth.

It also can be a hotbed for cars whose notoriety may lie less in the vehicles themselves and more in their associations with famous people, TV shows, or movies. The Scottsdale, Arizona auctions are chock-full of cars with Hollywood or Hollywood-adjacent associations, but these seven in particular caught our eyes. We’ll be watching each closely as they head across their respective blocks to see what sort of bump their backstories bring to the final hammer price.

1961 Land Rover Series II owned by Arthur Miller and his wife, Marilyn Monroe

1961-Land-Rover-Series-II Arthur Miller Marilyn Monroe
Bonhams

Bonhams Lot #130 Saturday, January 25

Arthur Miller was a prolific Twentieth-Century playwright and screenwriter known for hit shows such as All My Sons, Death of a Salesman, and A View from the Bridge. His on-screen hits included the 1961 hit Western The Misfits, starring Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and others. Alongside various distinctions including a 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Death of a Salesman, Miller is perhaps best known for his second marriage to Hollywood darling Marilyn Monroe. Although the marriage only lasted from 1956–61, the tales of both became intertwined forever.

Miller purchased this Land Rover Series II new, while he was still with Monroe, according to the listing. The lot includes the original title in Miller’s name, the factory invoice, and more. It’s on offer directly from a member of the Miller family.

It retains its original Sand paint job with the factory 88-inch hardtop. Power comes from a 2.3-liter inline-four with a single downdraft carb married to a four-speed manual with a two-speed transfer case. It’s been in the care of the Miller family since new and was kept at Miller’s sprawling estate in Roxbury, Connecticut, during his ownership.

#3 Batmobile from the Batman Television Series

number 3 Batmobile Rear_3-4 Barrett-Jackson
Barrett-Jackson

Barrett-Jackson Lot #1414 Saturday, January 25

As far as cars that need no introduction go, this one might top the list. Built on a 1966 Ford Galaxie chassis by legendary hot-rod builder George Barris, the Batmobile used for the 1966–68 Batman television series starring Adam West is truly one of the most recognizable cars in existence. Of course, like many famous TV cars, there were multiple examples built to handle various on-camera duties as well as probably plenty of promotional endeavors as well.

This is the #3 car, used in the TV series as well as for the Batman the Movie blockbuster hit filmed in 1966. It hails from the Dr. Stewart A. Berkowitz Collection (get familiar with that name, he’s got more than one car on this list).

From the chopped-rim steering wheel to the Bat Ray projector switches to the double-bubble windscreen to the jet booster out back, this thing is a certified stunner.

At Mecum’s Kissimmee sale in 2022, a replica Batmobile based on a 1977 Lincoln Continental chassis sold for $319,000. Because this is a real one, you can bet that figure will be much, much higher. Barrett-Jackson sold a real Batmobile in 2013 at its Scottsdale sale and that one cleared $4.62M. Gulp.

Ex-Johnny Carson 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC

1988 Mercedes Johnny Carson car
Barrett-Jackson

Barrett-Jackson Lot #522 Wednesday, January 22

For three decades during the meat of the twentieth century, scores of Americans tuned in to NBC each night as Johnny Carson hosted perhaps the best iteration of The Tonight Show. Carson’s quick wit, strong interview skills, and on-camera presence made him a mainstay among American TV legends.

When you’re at the top of your game like Carson was for so long, you had to have a ride that matched that status. This 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC was bought new by Carson from Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills and remained in his care until 2003, according to the auction listing. Finished in Arctic White over an Anthracite leather interior, this looks like a delightful ride to cruise to and from the NBC California studios.

It looks in relatively good condition, too. Under the previous owner, who acquired the car in 2017, lots of service work was done including body and paint repairs, a suspension overhaul, and more.

1983 DeLorean DMC-12 Back to the Future Recreation

Delorean DMC12 Back to the Future recreation car
Barrett-Jackson

Barrett-Jackson Lot #785.1 Thursday, January 23

If you’re a frequent reader of this site and you’re getting a bit of dejá-vu, let us be the first to assure you that you’re not crazy. Turns out, there are multiple Back to the Future DeLorean DMC-12 recreations crossing the auction block this month. (We wrote about the other one, which will be at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale, earlier this month.)

This example is a 1983 DMC-12, and it looks equally as kitted-out as Mecum’s 1981 example. Everything seems to be there, from the Flux Capacitor drive to the switch controls on the center console to the Plutonium Chamber readout on the passenger’s dashboard. Even the wiring looks appropriately haphazard, draped over the dash and along the car’s sides.

If you’re in the market for one of the most recognizable film cars ever, you’re spoiled for choice this year. Great Scott!

1921 Oldsmobile Model 46 “HayWagon Jalopy” from The Beverly Hillbillies

1921 Oldsmobile Model 46 Beverly Hillbillies Truck
Barrett-Jackson

Barrett-Jackson Lot #1414.1 Saturday, January 25

To say that Jed Clampett and his posse—mother-in-law Daisy May Moses (known as “Granny”), daughter Elly May, and distant relative Jethro Bodine—were a bit surprised as they rolled up to their house in Beverly Hills atop a 1921 Oldsmobile Model 46 would be putting it mildly. But that car, affectionately known as the “HayWagon Jalopy” is familiar to many who enjoyed the show’s successful run from 1962–71, during which time it became one of the most-watched television series in history.

This example, also hailing from the Dr. Stewart A. Berkowitz Collection, was built and signed by George Barris of Barris Kustom Industries. It’s one of just five total and was used in both the TV series as well as The Beverly Hillbillies movie. Underneath the intentionally rickety accouterments sits a vintage truck chassis and bodywork from a 1921 Oldsmobile Model 46. With appearances at big shows such as Autorama, World of Wheels, and more, this example might be as well-traveled as the Clampett posse was by the time they reached their new home.

(Let it be known: the lifesize models of each character kinda freak this author out.)

Ex-Jackie Gleason 1978 Lincoln Continental Limousine

Lincoln Continental Jackie Gleason
Barrett-Jackson

Barrett-Jackson Lot #163.1 Tuesday, January 21

Like many folks from the ’50s and the ’60s, John “Jackie” Gleason was a jack of many entertainment trades. Throughout his career, Gleason plied his trade as a comedian, an actor, and even later as a musician/composer. He played familiar characters such as Sheriff Buford T. Justice in Smokey and the Bandit and had several wildly successful “mood music” albums. Naturally, a man of this taste and ilk had an equally extravagant taste in automobiles.

Gleason, who was known by many as “The Great One” (hockey fans feel free to take umbrage with that title in the comments) used this 1978 Lincoln Continental Limousine as his personal transportation for many years. It’s a magnificent example of extravagant American luxury—a ridiculously long car made even longer in the name of serene comfort. Just look at those red velvet seats! Who wouldn’t want to kick it back there on the way home from another smashing evening at the comedy club?

Barrett-Jackson

Ex-Bob Hope Custom Golf Cart

Bob Hope Golf Cart front three quarter
Barrett-Jackson

Barrett-Jackson Lot #162.1 Tuesday, January 21

Leslie Townes “Bob” Hope enjoyed a long stint in show business—nearly 80 years, by some measurements. The actor, comedian, entertainer, and producer starred in 54 films, hosted the Academy Awards show more times than anyone else (19), and generally enjoyed a prolific life of stardom before retiring from public life in 1999 and eventually passing away at the ripe old age of 100 in 2003.

This wild creation comes from none other than George Barris (are you sensing just how prolific Barris’ work was in this world yet?) and was Hope’s personal golf cart. Why a golf cart, you ask? Well, Hope was widely regarded as Hollywood’s most prolific golf fanatic. There’s a PGA Tour golf tournament that takes place in the Coachella Valley that was, for a while, named after him. Tour events cycle through many names during their long lifespans to accommodate whatever corporation is footing the headlining sponsor bill, but this tournament did carry the names “Bob Hope Desert Classic” beginning in 1965 and then “Bob Hope Chrysler Classic” in 1986. (Fun fact: that tournament, now known as “The American Express,” takes place this weekend in La Quinta, California.)

Like the Batmobile, the DeLorean recreation, the “HayWagon Jalopy,” and the Lincoln limo above, this golf cart also comes from the Dr. Stewart A. Berkowitz collection.

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Comments

    I love George Barris. Grest guy and even worked with Jim at events in the past.

    But I sometimes question sone of George’s claims. This truck just is not right to me in some way. It was never the primary truck.

    George often made a number of copies of cars and added claims to them.

    Sam was the builder George was the deal maker.

    There are a lot of stories where George said things that weren’t exactly true. I’d agree that Sam was the builder but should note that Sam left Barris in 1956 and I don’t believe he anything to do with the movie cars. Personally, I think the best Barris work and greatest contributions to the customizing were the early cars.

    While the kid in me loves the old Batmobile or Back to the Future DeLorean I could never spend big bucks for one of them. A fair amount of oddities that don’t seem that interesting besides celebrity ownership.

    There are plenty of TV Batmobiles out there, but only 6-7 were built by Barris according to a website devoted to the car.

    I think only the first two were used in the series to any extent, but who knows at this late date.

    The author didn’t mention that the car that brought $4.2 million was the #1 car, which was a modification of the Lincoln Futura show car from the mid-50s. It had a steel body and was the buck for the other car’s fiberglass shells.

    I own a Barris TV car, and when I visited him at his office to give him post-restoration photos, he simply asked, “Do you want to see the car?” It was unspoken but obvious which car he was referring to.

    We went to a small garage portion of his Hollywood building, and there it was. He opened the door, and I got in.

    The first thing I did was pick up the Batphone. “Everybody does that as soon as they get in,” he said.

    It was well-detailed and a beautiful piece of work.

    My car (which is not a Batmobile) has some clever engineering and some nice details that were unlikely to be seen by TV viewers.

    While the quality of his work varied and wasn’t to everyone’s taste, when he was good, he was very good.

    The last time I saw him was in 2010. I and my car were invited to a large Canadian show where Barris was always a guest. I got the chance to show him my car, and we had a good conversation about its creation, though 40 years after it was built, some details were hazy.
    He spent the weekend shaking hands and signing autographs…quite a showman.

    I’d take the limo over all of them. Seems kind of odd they would photograph it with noticeably under inflated tires.

    The quality of the cars from George’s shop was mostly in direct line to who did the work.

    Dean Jeffries’s, Von Dutch and Dick Dale did some great work there that George took the credit for. Other things were done less skilled people too. So the work was not as great.

    Many of the best cars there were more than one. I forget how many Munster Coaches were built. Same on the real BTF Delorean.

    The real cars to have is a car Sam Barris build. He was a great metal man before he died too young. I would have loved to see what he would have done with all the studio dealings George did.

    I would argue that several of the people who owned these were more than just “celebrities” (a term which often comes close to turning my stomach). Mr. Miller, for example, contributed greatly to the American story-telling catalog. And Mr. Hope was so much more than a mere “entertainer”. The problem – for me – is that none of that makes any of their vehicles worth more than anything I can find on a used car lot in Billings, Montana.

    The first rate metal work on my Barris was done by a recent Italian immigrant, Andre De Stefanis. It was his first job with Barris, he later went to work with Gene Winfield.

    As with a lot of “industrial” art…industrial design, architecture, car design and the like, the boss with his name on the door (and contract) gets the credit for employees work.

    You do find photos of Barris being hands on in early photos, but by th late ’60s he was the design guy.
    I have photos (provided by him) of my car under construction, and he’s clearly supervising, not personally bending metal.

    I would like to have the first/original Batmobile. Restore it back to original Futura concept car condition. There are enough of the Barris versions around. Lets be honest they are as goofy and silly looking as the TV show which they were intended to be. * POW! *SOCK! *WHAM! *

    As I recall, when it was sold, there was dome speculation (obviously not from the guy with the big checkbook) that it might be re-converted to the Futura.

    There are a few existent cars (often, but not always, racers) out there with two histories, the owner has to figure out which one go with.

    For shame sir, for shame that you would dare utter such blasphemous comments about one of the most iconic cars know to our collective consciousness. May the specter of the bat haunt your dreams

    If you want to see a Beverly Hillbilly car in person, there’s one at The School of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, MO.
    Also known as “Hard Work U”, students can work their way through college and come out the other end with no debt. What a concept…..
    The museum at the college also has an extensive firearm, bug,artwork, etc,
    displays. Great restaurant there, too

    I have been there and the museum is a fantastic tour. If anyone is ever in the Branson Mo. area its worth the time to visit.

    Jackie Gleason also had a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, custom painted at the factory in two-tone Opal (made from actual crushed opals) and Burgundy. I wonder where that car is now…

    I am just at the bottom of the age for the 60’s tv era cars, but I dont have the same reverence for Barris as a lot of people do. As for the Batmobile, it would be lucky to be stored inside if it were ‘gifted’ to me and I wouldnt pay a nickel for any of his work(Other than to make a ton of money selling it to another person) The 5 gallon bucket “rocket exhaust” and the very low grade work done for the cameras just doesnt do it for me. It didnt excite me then and it doesnt now. I have a very modest car collection but prefer substance over camera flash

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