This real-life Vicky Vale feels like a movie star when she steps out with her cape crusader, writes Jonica Bray
A thunderous mechanical roar breaks the peace in suburban Sydney.
People stop and stare unable to believe their own eyes – as the Batmobile cruises past.
Gob-smacked onlookers start to take photos vying for a better position by this incredible beast.
But for Bella Leone, who casually saunters past the crowd slipping into the passenger seat, it’s just an ordinary night out with her boyfriend.
“It’s like I have instant celebrity status,” laughs Bella. “It feels like you are living the dream.
“Grown men turn into children; I hear them squeal and I always have to make sure I look good before I go out because so many people take so many photos.”
When radio host Bella, 27, started dating her mate’s brother Zac Mihajlovic, 29, in 2000 she had a hunch things were going to be different.
After all, her new beau rocked up to dates on a replica bat-bike and thought nothing of it.
Bella is swept up in the arms of her caped crusader!
“I knew he was a bit of a fan when I saw the chopper,” explains Bella.
“I just thought that was harmless fun; then he got a call from a guy wanting to sell parts of the real Batmobile from the 1989 movie and things have escalated from there.
“Zac and his Pop were so excited and agreed to buy the parts on the spot.”
For the next two years Zac and his granddad, John, a retired mechanical engineer took on the mammoth task of building the iconic vehicle.
They even went to the trouble of checking with Batman studio Warner Brothers that they weren’t breaching copyright laws and making it legally street-worthy.
“We threw a super hero themed party to show our friends and the reaction was incredible,” says Bella. “We knew we had something special from then.”
Before long Zac aligned himself with the Make-A-Wish foundation, a charity that grants seriously ill children their ultimate wishes.
Using his spare time to surprise kids with a ride in a hero’s car Zac loved that the car bought so much happiness but he knew deep down something was missing.
“One day I was at home and I could hear this bosh bosh bosh noise,” laughs Bella.
“I turned around and there was Zac in the full batman costume. He had got it made by Universal Designs in America and he looked hot.
“It gave him the body of a professional wrestler, like he has been bench-pressing 300 kilos.
“It was kind of intimidating. I couldn’t even fit my arms around to hug him.”
Since owning the Batmobile Bella has been taken on dates, dropped off at work and even done the grocery shopping in the 6.2 metre beast.
Bella and her boyfriend Zac.
But as thrilling as each ride is she says Zac’s charity work is the biggest joy of all.
“It makes me emotional when I see him with those kids,” she smiles adding that there is only one thing missing now.
“He needs a Catwoman and I’m ready to step up – he just needs to say the word.”
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