COFFS Harbour father of three, local businessman of some 36 years as a mechanic and custom car-builder, professional musician, and stretch limousine chauffeur, Mike Camilleri, is bringing his handcrafted Batmobile to the Coffs City Rotary Motor Show.
The man of many talents will present his hand-crafted replica of the vehicle driven by Michael Keaton as the title character in the 1989 Hollywood blockbuster movie ‘Batman’, directed by Tim Burton.
Visitors to the Motor Show at Coffs Harbour’s Park Beach Plaza, on Sunday 25 October, can view a vast range of motoring examples, including motorbikes of many makes and models, trophies, prizes, music and have a close-up experience with the extraordinary vehicle and its creator.
There will be an individual photo opportunity with the Batmobile, via gold coin donation to Rotary, from 11:30am to 12:30pm, for kids and families.
The Batmobile is a 6.6-metre-long gothic machine, which Mr Camilleri has been working on since 2017.
He used contacts from the USA and the entertainment industry and local craftsmen to help build the vehicle, but mainly used components he engineered and fabricated himself.
“The vehicle is no show pony; it is a fully loaded performance muscle car,” Mr Camilleri told News Of The Area.
To complement the vehicle, which he and members of his Autocraft Machines team have built from the ground up, Mr Camilleri also dons an elaborate custom-made costume to resemble Keaton’s Batman.
“I take the Batman character seriously when doing performances and go beyond the call of duty to respect US entertainment giant, Warner Bros – DC Comics, who own the Batman movie character rights,” Mr Camilleri said.
“I go to a meticulous effort to represent the name and image as professionally and as authentically as possible.
“It has to look like the real deal,” he said.
“I often do Batman performances with Batgirl.
“Originally that was with my amazing daughter and now I’m joined by the very talented local wonder-woman and artist, Jasmine Winter.
“It is a wonderful experience for people of all ages, who just love the whole concept.”
Mr Camilleri has been doing Batman impersonations for more than15 years.
“In this world of challenges, particularly highlighted in recent times, the most precious commodity you can give to anyone, apart from love, is genuine time,” he said.
“The impact and effect that our ‘Batman & Batgirl’ performances have on special lives from all walks of life is a reward that outweighs anything money could ever buy – a special moment in people’s lives when they can have a break from their ongoing, and in some cases, relentless challenges.”
Seeing and experiencing people’s joy is a privilege Mr Camilleri said he will cherish forever.
“I’m just a working-class man with a workshop and a passion for cars, music and machines.
“I don’t muck around and live by the motto: ‘If a job is worth doing, it’s a job worth doing well’.
“Ask my beautiful family, they know exactly what that means.”
As for Batman’s alter ego, Mr Camilleri has no immediate plans to hang up the cape.
“I love life and I love what I do,” he said.
Batman, Batgirl and the Batmobile, along with the Batcrew, are gearing up for giving visitors a most unusual and engaging experience at the Motor Show.
By Andrea FERRARI
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