1971 Hot Wheels Jet Threat - Father of the 1989 Batmobile?

 

Vroom!  Vroom!

What's that coming down the street?  It's a Batmobile!  No, it's not a Batmobile.  It's the 1971 Hot Wheels car #6179: Jet Threat!

Previously, I discussed the interesting resemblance between the 1973 JVZ Cereal Car and the 1989 Batmobile.

Well, there's another early 70s toy car that pre-invents very specific design characteristics of the 89:  The 1971 Hot Wheels Jet Threat.  (I custom painted this one flat black to highlight the similarities.)
This car was designed by legendary Hot Wheels designer Larry Wood (aka 'Mr. Hot Wheels').

 

Noe the similar wedge shaped cockpit.  Also, the 89 has very similar visible jet engine workings, but shrunken and moved to the sides.

The main thing we're interested in, of course, is the nose.  It's the same nose, complete with the same pointy turbine . . . thing!

 Tim Burton was 13 when the Hot Wheels Jet Threat came out, and 15 when the JVZ Cereal Car might have plunked into his cereal bowl.  Was he too old to be playing with Hot Wheels and eating sugar cereal?  Did he own these particular cars?  Did he bring Anton Furst a box of toy cars from his childhood and tell him, "Combine this toy jet car with this toy jet car and give me a Batmobile!"?  I don't know.
Maybe Anton Furst came across these toys while searching for inspiration for his design.  There may not be any connection at all.  But I think the similarities are tantalizing.