As if on queue, Hedges finishes speaking and two middle-aged gentlemen walk in with grins on their faces from ear to ear. Versions of the Batman theme song play in the background as the two slowly walk around the car.

“Hey, check it out,” one of them calls out. “It’s got a Bat-phone.”

“My son would absolutely love this,” says Dick Hastings of Kent, Ohio. Hastings spends some time talking to Hedges about the car, where it came from, and the memories it inspires.

“In a recent cable television program, whose name escapes me at the moment, the 1966 Batmobile was ranked as the most recognizable car ever,” said Hedges. Hedges and Hastings begin talking about other classic cars in their life, the work they’ve done on them, how much they sold them for and so on.

The doorbell chimes again, this time, Tim and Michael Mayer, a father and son from Galion, walk in. The younger Mayer, Michael, seven-years old, is in awe. “Daddy, check this out. Daddy, check this out,” he calls and calls again with excitement at the realization of each gadget on the Batmobile. “Michael’s granddad told us about the car and we just had to come down here and see it for ourselves,” said Tim.

“Word of mouth on this thing has just been amazing,” said Hedges. “I took it out for a spin the other day and you should have seen the looks I got!” He says the Batmobile will stay in his shop until the start of the 2007 car-show season. At that point, he intends to take it out and around to all the local and state shows that he can. “I’m sure, just like I have here, that I will generate plenty of smiles and attention when I take the Batmobile out to the shows.”

After the car show tour, Hedges intends to sell the Batmobile at the high end Barrett-Jackson Car Event in 2008. “I’ll probably buy another Batmobile after I auction this one,” said Hedges.

When not busy talking about the Batmobile, Hedges collects and restores classic muscle cars from 1971 and higher. “I buy and restore cars all the time, so if anyone out there has anything they want to sell, give me a call,” said Hedges.

Those interested in seeing the Batmobile or wanting to sell their muscle car should contact Hedges at 419-571-9777.