Perhaps with that in mind, Mark Kemp, 49, has built his own Batmobile.

"It definitely draws attention," he said.

"I've only got to park it for people to start gathering round."

The hot-rod is more a tribute to TV Batman Adam West's ride of the '60s than Christian Bale's movie in the noughties.

It's mounted on the chassis of a 1970 VG Valiant convertible with holy Jeremy Clarkson, Batman a V8 engine.

Every detail from the bat alloy wheels to the bat-ear rear indicators and the growling exhaust were beaten into shape over two years in Mr Kemp's garage.

There's even a bat phone, though a hands-free kit might be a legal requirement for calls to Alfred.

The car is insured for $75,000, and was partly funded by the sale of Mr Kemp's last project a replica of the Ford Interceptor driven by Mad Max.

"My wife Sandra and 16-year-old daughter Amy-May are pretty well over me being in the garage," Mr Kemp said.

"Actually, I'd like to thank them for their patience."

Which might be tested again soon.

"My next plan is to build a Batboat. Then I could take it to car shows, towed on the back of the Batmobile," he said.