Fred Flintstone’s movie car is now up for sale on eBay. Few cartoon cars have had as much impact on popular culture as the Flintstone car.
The Flintstones was America’s first animated prime-time American TV series. It began in 1960 and ran through 1966.
Fans Love the Flintstone Car, But Not the Movie
The live-action redux brought the pre-historical sitcom to the silver screen in 1994. The movie starred:
- John Goodman as Fred Flintstone
- Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble
- Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma Flintstone
- Rosie O’Donnell as Betty Rubble
The supporting cast included:
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Kyle MacLachlan
- Jonathan Winters
- Halle Berry
- Harvey Korman
- Jay Leno
Unfortunately, critics did not like the movie. Yet, fans loved its props, sets, and special effects.
Also, gearheads got the chance to enjoy the Flintstones car. George Barris, “The King of Kustomizers,” built it. Barris is perhaps best known as the creator of the Batmobile.
A George Barris EV for the Movies
Barris built many Flintmobiles. To create its shape, he covered frames of square and rectangular steel with fiberglass log bodywork.
Some of the Flintstone cars were only for static shots. On the other hand, some were fitted with gasoline engines.
The example listed on eBay was built with electric golf cart parts. It was designed to drive in action scenes. The listing says:
The electric-powered Flintmobile was built as a drivable car for action scenes without Fred or Barney having to overdo the foot power and run out of breath.
“It sat a little higher than the basic foot-powered model but the crew filmed so that you couldn’t see the lower parts of the car.
George Barris with his creation.
We don’t know how many Flintstone cars that Barris built for the film. The seller states that this example is a barn find and needs a full restoration.
For example, it does not appear to run. However, the fiberglass frame and steam-roller-like wheels look intact. Also, the seats are there, but they need serious work. The rooftop awning has gone AWOL.
The body rests on a rolling cart so it can move. The winning bidder will want to visit the LeMay America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Wash. or the Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
When they get there, they can study other intact examples of Barris’s wacky Flintstone cars.
