CENTERVILLE — A replica of the Batmobile from the classic 1966 TV show made a visit to the Costco in Centerville on a special mission of goodwill.
The iconic car has already raised 18-thousand dollars to benefit the Dayton Children’s Hospital and has drawn in hundreds of fans.
Most importantly, one young man in particular who in many ways is a hero himself.
“I will tell all my friends. They’re going to love it. I will tell them that I was in the Batmobile and that it was the coolest experience ever,” said Brody Heinrich, a Dayton Children’s Hospital Ambassador.
Heinrich says that the Dark Knight’s unending fight against crime, despite having no super powers of his own, inspires him in his own battle against a rare illness.
“He is just so creative and he can build whatever he puts his mind to. Anything in his way he will move out of his way and he will move on,” Heinrich said.
President of Carl’s Body Shop, Matt Miller, oversaw the construction of the Batmobile at his body shop business.
Miller says that the replica not only looks good, but it also works out on the open road.
“It handles great. It really drives great. We get to do lots of parades with it and lots of charity events,” Miller said.
It took Carl’s Body Shop over a year of work and about $100,000 to put the Batmobile together.
Heinrich’s mother, Tanya, also enjoyed the Batmobile and says moments like these are a mental booster for him to help him get better.
“Being a sick kid kind of sucks. So when he gets to do stuff like this, it sheds some good on some really not fun situations and it gives him that big win,” Tanya Heinrich said.
Since 2015, Dayton Children’s Hospital has worked with Costco on events like these, raising over $200 thousand dollars.