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Reproduction parts for restoring most Corgi Batmobiles. Ask for the current price list. If you need a part which is not shown, feel free to ask about it. We might be able to help you anyway. The eBay messaging system is a hassle so I prefer that you email us directly by using any of the links on this page. If you use the eBay messaging system to contact me anyway and you want a response, make sure you choose the option to reveal your email address. Thank you.
Beat up Corgi Batmobiles (top) and restored Corgi Batmobiles (lower two photos). Virtually any beat up Corgi Batmobile can be restored to look nice as long as the metal body is intact.
Some Frequently Asked Questions...
FAQ 1. Do you have any restored Batmobiles for sell?
ANSWER: Unfortunately, I generally don't have any Batmobiles for sale.
In general, I have concentrated on restoring other peoples' Batmobiles that they have sent to me. But I'm not currently taking new orders.
FAQ 2. How do I replace the canopy?
ANSWER: To replace the canopy properly, you must remove the six rivet
heads on the underside of the car. This is most easily accomplished by
drilling them off. I do this in three steps. First, I make a small pilot hole
(so that the larger drill bits don't slip off the rivet head later on). To do
this I use a Dremel rotary tool and a small engraving bit (such as Dremel
bit #106) for the first pilot hole. Then I make the pilot hole larger with a
3/32" drill bit and I finally use a larger drill bit (approx. 3/16") to
actually remove the head. After the body halves have been separated,
there are three more rivets to remove to get at the canopy. To reassemble
the car, you can use a good epoxy to substitute for the rivet heads. If it is
applied carefully and if it is a good consistency, the epoxy drops can
actually look very similar to the original rivets heads. After it is cured,
paint the epoxy "rivet heads" black (to match the car) or dull silver (to
match the original rivet heads). See my response to FAQ #4 below concerning the use of rivets or screws to reassemble Corgi Batmobiles. Some people inquire if it is possible to replace a canopy without disassembling the car. To do so would require you to cut out as much of the original canopy as possible
and then cut or grind the replacement canopy to somehow fit, then
glue it in place. I haven't seen the results of this type of operation, but
I don't think I would like it. So from my point of view, you must disassemble the Batmobile to replace the canopy.
FAQ 3. Do I need to disassemble the car to replace the antenna?
ANSWER: To do it properly, yes. Many people assume that the original plastic antennas are somehow "screwed in". They are not. They are inserted from underneath the rear deck (or "trunk"). However, if the only thing your car needs is a new antenna, it's worthwhile, in my opinion, to attempt a less
invasive repair. Here are two options to consider:
A. Remove the base of the original antenna from the Batmobile. The best
way I've found to do this is to use a rotary tool and Dremel bit #106. Grind
down through the remaining plastic base of the original antenna until
contacting the silver metal base that the antenna sits on. You can then
use some needle point tweezers to remove the remaining parts of the
antenna base from the antenna socket. Removing those remnants is difficult and you may be able to just leave them in place. Either way, on your replacement antenna, trim the outer edge of its base so that the base of the new antenna will fit in the socket hole. After verifying that it will fit, apply a small amount of epoxy into the hole and/or bottom of the antenna and set it in place. You will probably need to support the antenna in its desired position until the epoxy cures.
B. If you don't have a rotary tool or don't want to risk damaging your car
by removing the base of the original antenna, you can try this approach: If
the thick base of the original antenna is still present on the car (and it
usually is), you can file the top of it so that it is flat and smooth. Obtain
a replacement antenna that has a thick base similar in diameter to the
original base (approx. 1/16"). All the antennas I sell can be used this way.
Cut off a portion of the replacement base, leaving just a small portion of
the thicker base portion. File it if necessary so that it will mate flush
against the top of the original base. Use a small amount of epoxy to
attach it to the original base. My experience is that regular model cement
does not work very well on the type of plastic the antennas are made from. Since this method of repair won't be as sturdy as replacing the whole antenna, you will need to be careful not to bump the repaired antenna in the future.
FAQ 4. Do you use rivets or screws to reassemble your Batmobiles?
ANSWER: Usually neither. Some people do use rivets or screws to
reassemble their Batmobiles but I usually use epoxy to replace the rivet
heads. By way of explanation, if you open up a Corgi Batmobile, you can
see how that the original "rivet heads" are actually part of the same
single piece of metal as the upper body half. To install screws or rivets,
you have to drill a hole in the rivet posts in the upper body. But the metal
posts aren't that thick and are fairly soft and brittle metal. Often, when people drill into this and force a screw or rivet into the hole, it forms cracks in the rivet posts. Damaged rivet posts are almost inevitable when using self-tapping screws, especially for a #4 screw size. This is the screw size I've usually seen installed because its head is large enough to hold the bottom of the car in place without washers. Often the car will still hold together with broken rivet posts but I really hate to see this happen. In a few cases, such as if you are the lucky
owner of one of my "Electronic Corgi Batmobiles" (a customized Corgi
Batmobile with a flashing red beacon), I'm willing to tap holes for very small machine screws to replace the rivet heads. This makes it easier to change the battery. But rather than risk unnecessary and irreversible damage to the rivet posts, I generally reassemble the cars with epoxy "rivet heads" as this does no damage to the rivet posts. It does make it more difficult than screws to re-open the car if you ever want to again. But my assumption is that grown-ups will take better care of their Batmobiles now than they did as a kid and it won't be necessary to reopen the car again (which was Corgi's original concept as well).
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