Batmobile takes cancer-fighting road trip to B.C.

When you build one of the world's coolest cars for one of the world's most popular superheroes, it can come as a shock to be reminded just how vulnerable we regular humans can be.

But that's exactly what happened to special effects whiz Andy Smith, the London-born, Vancouver-based talent who built the Batmobile for Christopher Nolan's recent Batman trilogy.

As the Globe and Mail reports, Smith went to his doctor three years ago complaining of a sore throat. Instead of a bad bout of the flu, Smith was diagnosed with cancer in his throat, lymph nodes, and tonsils. The prognosis did not look good.

Thanks to chemotherapy and a group of excellent doctors, the 52-year-old told the paper he's now in good health.

To show his gratitude toward the medical team who helped him through his battle, Smith arranged for the Batmobile to take a road trip from Los Angeles all the way to Burnaby, B.C. on Tuesday.

The B.C. Cancer Foundation charged a minimum $50 a pop for 100 fans to see the car, with the proceeds going to cancer research and patient care.

"It sounds so cliché, but (cancer) does change the way you think," Smith told the paper.

"Things that were important aren't important. ... Cherish the little things, the simple things."

One thing that isn't simple is the spectacular vehicle, which Smith estimated to cost in the millions to produce.

"Chris Nolan likes to have realism in his films. So, we told him it would be expensive and they stumped up the money and we built, I think, one of the best Batmobiles ever," he said.

The sleek, six-tire vehicle drew excited looks from fans, who were also treated to a driving demonstration by one of Smith's colleagues.

There are drawbacks to the Batmobile's popularity, however. Just imagine trying to get it over the border.

"This was driven up uncovered all the way from L.A. It caused chaos. I don't think that expedited its transit through customs, either. Everybody wanted a look."

One young fan who was glad customs gave the car the green light was three-year-old Alex Agostini, who did a little tributary dance to the automobile gods in front of the car, wearing his favourite Batman shirt.

"It's awesome to see him this happy," Alex's mother Tiziana, herself a cancer survivor, told the Globe. "He loves it. I think he wanted to get in it."

For his part, Smith rejected any special praise for his efforts. "I'm just an ordinary guy doing my job."

Alex Agostini would disagree.