Highline Autos Highline Autos

Riddle me this, crimefighting fans: What Valley of the opened it October 2012. The grand opening will be Sun resident maintains a super-equipped Batcave and March 2013. The study features a sliding bookcase turbines up the Batmobile regularly for the enjoyment of behind which are highly children’s approved Batpoles children with lifelong or life-threatening illnesses? that “lower” into the cave. The grotto contains most You don’t have to fidget until the next episode to every gadget, device and vehicle from the show. WOW! find out. Here’s the Batcomputer! Holy authenticity! He’s Charles Keller, a former Apple Computers whizkid who parachuted to an early retirement into A Show of Sharing Gotham City and decided that, like millionaire Bruce “Here is a wealthy guy who uses his money not just Wayne, he would do good with his life rather than just for his own enjoyment but to truly make the world better live good. Inspired by his hero, Charles fights the night and safer for all,” says Keller, who lives in Phoenix with of childhood disease. [Editor’s Note: Wayne reportedly his family. “He also passes this wisdom and passion to makes more than $100 billion annually but gives so much his young ward. The two of them are honest, moral, hard- GreatGarages of it away to charity that he retains his legendary million- working, but most of all they put others first and by aire status.] doing so their lives are made all the richer.” The Best Batcave West of Gotham With his Dynamic Duo, sons Chaz, 9, and Cade, 7, As he approached his 50th birthday this year, he and valiantly supported by his wife of 15 years this wanted his life to be more than an early, fortunate retire- Written by David M. Brown November, Megan, Charles doubles in the roles of the ment: “Now that I am on the back side of life and have had magnanimous civic servant, officing in One Wayne my share of successes, I also wish to figure out a way to Center, and A.L.F.R.E.D., the indefatigably loyal family give back. It was important to me that this be done in a butler — Ambassador & Liaison for Research, Education way that reflected not just my values but also my sense of & Development. humor. Still more important was that it be something my Together and as one, they offer children and their fam- two boys could both enjoy, grasp and ultimately emulate.” ilies and friends the superhero experience of Batman and During his youth, he watched the campy, colorful his unBatlievable underground lair, located just south- ‘60s television series with great joy: “To this day I can west of Gotham, deep beneath stately Wayne Manor. watch the episodes, and they make me laugh out loud,” Keller began the Batcave in November 2011 and he says. “The actors put so much into their characters,

March 2013 64 www.highline-autos.com March 2013 65 www.highline-autos.com Highline Autos Highline Autos

and that is what makes them completely unforgettable.” “In our society there are so many examples of people And, curvaceous crimebuster, Yvonne Craig, decked in who gain fame, wealth and notoriety by making bad, haute Batgirl couture, was his first TV crush. ZOWEE! even dreadful decisions,” Charles says. “Yet every year, “I understand what it is like to have poor health and there is a brand new crop of youngsters who choose to no answers,” he says, recalling a youth suffering with don their Batman or Batgirl outfits and within their young chronic illness continuing through adulthood. “I feel imaginations fight for all that is right and good. deeply for what these families go through and not just “Sure Batman is fun, but it is also a life lesson that the kids. Everybody suffers: parents, grandparents, sib- comes in a bright box with a shiny bow on top,” he adds. lings, all of them. That we can give them all a reason to “Just like Mr. Wayne, I am all the richer for it.” smile, all the better.” The first stop for the Batmobile was a Make-A-Wish As a result, for the last four years he has been work- event, with his sons as goodwill ambassadors, greeting ing with groups such as Hope Kids, Phoenix Children’s guests. From the start, he told his boys it isn’t about the Hospital and Starlight Children’s Foundation, a global car but the caring: “Yes, we sure do love our cars, but our organization celebrating its 30th year helping seriously real story is about the principle of sharing with those in ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear need and how doing so enriches our lives.” and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Colten Last year, more than 74,000 people statewide were One of the first rides, that December, was Colten, for helped by Starlight, says Jo Ann Yeo, its director. whom the Batcave is named: The Colten Cowell Memorial “However, this figure is only a fraction of the estimated Bat Cave. “It was an experience that is not just something 342,000 chronically ill children in Arizona,” she says. I will never forget; it something that has changed the “As the population grows, so too does the need to direction of my life,” Charles says. bring high-quality program and services to these chil- Colten's parents Erika and Earl were told by their dren and their families,” she adds. “We adore Charles doctors that Colten's condition was terminal and recom- Keller and his family and are very thankful for his per- mended they go home and spend family time together. sonal involvement and support of Starlight.” Word reached Make A Wish of Arizona, who it turn

Mr. Wayne's palatial study contains many secrets, not the least of which is a switch inside Shakespeare's bust that activates a real sliding bookcase. I wonder where that secret passageway leads?

asked Charles if a Batmobile visit could be arranged. will always be a cherished memory for my family, and knowing we were able to give back to organizations that Could Colten have a ride? are special to us through Wayne Foundation is just icing As it was Christmas, Santa came, too, in traditional, on the cake,” Denise says. not Batattire. When they arrived at the house, the hospice “It was a blast and more fun than I could even imag- staff was setting up the morphine and oxygen that would ine. I loved all the gizmos and gadgets and riding in the be Colten’s constant companions: “I never remember Batmobile,” Nathan adds. “When I was able to give the being so happy and so sad at the exact same moment in people that helped me to get Power Paws a giant check time,” Charles recalls. “It was wrenching.” donation, I was super happy.” In addition to other gifts, He gave Earl the keys to the Batmobile — the first each nominated child donates an authentic $1,000 check time he let another he had not met before drive the car. to his or her chosen charity from the Wayne Foundation. “It was a boy and his pop doing what comes naturally to Each child also receives a letter from Mr. Wayne, most every father and son: smiling, laughing, and, yes, inscribed with words, including these: “While the even fighting a little crime.” Batmobile has been my greatest single achievement, own- When they returned from reconnoitering, Colten, ing a Batmobile is not in and of itself a great thing. What who could not speak, signed to his dad: “I could not see brings me the most happiness is not owning this most what he was motioning, and so I looked to his dad, who magnificent machine, but rather it is sharing with others with welled-up eyes, told me in a shaken voice: ‘He that truly brings me joy. . . . Work hard to achieve some- wants to go again; he is asking for more,’” Charles says. thing important in your life, whatever that may be, and in So off they did for Colten’s final ride: In two weeks, turn share it with the world. The rest of us need whatever he was gone, dreaming of the Batmobile. it is that you have to offer.” This month, Highline Autos and its readers are the Nathan and Batdog, Sandra richer for entry to, and the offerings of, the Batcave: Another recent guest was Nathan Cauthren, who came with his parents, Denise and Ward, brothers and 1966 Batmobile — Of course, there are many Batmobiles sisters, and friends and his golden retriever, Sandra, pro- roaming the streets and gracing car collections, each with a vided by Power Paws Assistance Dogs, Phoenix. story. Charles’ story begins, when his boys, 3 and 5, received “Our visit to the Batcave and meeting Charles Keller a Valentine’s Day DVD of the 120 original-show episodes.

March 2013 66 www.highline-autos.com March 2013 67 www.highline-autos.com Highline Autos Highline Autos

Why to the Bat Poles, naturally. Lesser superheroes might use a staircase or a laundry chute, but Mr. Wayne insists on sparing no Bat Parachute Van: While many of Mr Wayne's cars are for his personal enjoyment, some aid the Batmobile in its' duties. expense! The rapid descent saves valuable crime fighting seconds. Behold the Bat Parachute Pickup Service Van. Hey, Bat Parachutes don't pick up themselves (but we are working on it).

“What happened next was such a joy to watch. That the tissue paper is shaped like little black bats — which on a 1965 Harley Electra Glide with a side car. This one is a 1969 Dodge A100 panel van, purchased evening as we watched the first episode, you could see exit through one of three tubes on the rear of the car. The original Harley is very expensive just to find, so from Canada in correct Sky Blue, equipped with the their little imaginations go wild. They would swing wild- Soon to be delivered to the Batcave is the new Charles opted for a new Ural T, and Shane and Karen original 225-cubic-inch slant 6 (no need for atomic ly at imaginary villains during the fight sequences (POW! Batmobile, custom built on a 1979 Lincoln Town Car Mustoe, owners of Brighton Motorsports and Brighton power here). SPLATT!! BAM!!!),” he recalls. They began suiting up frame and outfitted with a GM crate engine dynoed at 500 Ranch Paint & Body in Scottsdale, completed the conver- Inside, the van is customized with graphics from the before watching the show, with beach towels as capes and horses; Art Morrison front end and rear axle; four-wheel sion and the paint at cost. “They did a spectacular job,” original show, and passengers can enjoy a three-minute paper plates as masks. “Their excitement was inspiring.” disk brakes; a deluxe sound system inside the car for pas- he says. movie that recounts the history of the original vehicle as So, he began his Batresearch and connected in Los sengers and loud speakers fore and aft for parades; and a “The Bat Cycle has proven to be a huge hit both with well as shows all the cameos it had during the program’s Angeles with the great George Barris, designer and builder real rocket exhaust that will shoot out a powerful flame. kids and with parents who are licensed to drive it,” he three-year prime-time run. And, on the rear of the van, a of the original Batmobile, which recently sold at Barrett- Built by Fiberglass Freaks of Logansport, Ind., it will be says. “The reactions are priceless.” flat screen can produce, at a touch, any of the 120 Jackson Scottsdale for $4.6 million. Barris based the car on the only 1966 Batmobile to have both an iPad and iPhone episodes as well as the 1966 Batman movie. the 1950s Ford concept, the Lincoln Futura. connected via Bluetooth to the traditional 1966 Batphone. Batmobile Parachute Pickup Service Van — Batman Charles tested Batmobiles nationwide and bought the In addition, there will be a roll-top dash, covered with negotiates a Bat-turn worthy of Bondurant — a 180- What’s next at the Gotham City Batcave? Will our current model in April 2009 in Texas. When not being multi colored blinking lights, air-conditioning, extensive degree directional maneuver to catch the circuitous male- heroes meet the challenges of 21st-century naughtiness? used for families or in parades — on March 2, it led lighting and sound effects, and, of course, Batfetti. factors, and chutes release. But they are left on sacred Stay tuned, says deep-toned Charles Keller, alias Tillman’s Ride 2013, supporting veterans — the car sits “I think it will be one of the three or four finest Gotham ground, and that’s littering, ABC! “How could humanitarian Bruce Wayne, alias faithful Alfred, alias on bad-guys wait atop a turntable inside the Batcave. Batmobiles on the planet,” Charles says. it be that Batman, the world’s foremost lawman, was the superific Caped Crusader: “Same Bat Time, Same He enhanced the car with a sound system to blast the breaking the very laws he was sworn to enforce?” thou- Bat Channel!” Batman theme while exiting Dairy Queen drive-thrus The Bat Cycle — You remember how that nefarious bird, sands of letter-writing fans wanted to know. For information on arranging a visit to the Batcave, with his young guests; installed LED lights in the rocket Penguin, nabs the Batmobile, ignominiously renaming it The network’s four-wheeled answer appeared only see [email protected]. exhaust to simulate heat given off by the atomic reactor; the Birdmobile and scampering off with a fortune in in a three-second clip that was recycled in later episodes, If you or someone you know has a GreatGarage attached bat placards to the wheels; and added other wedding gifts he pilfered after leaving a wealthy heiress including stints serving Gotham’s most ruthless villains and would like it to be considered for an upcoming “gizmos” to enhance the experience, including Batfetti — at the altar: Cad! But The Caped Crusaders flew after him in different livery. issue, e-mail us at [email protected].

March 2013 68 www.highline-autos.com March 2013 69 www.highline-autos.com