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.
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).