Ex-Batmobile Replica Maker Has New Space To Continue Dream After Fire

JAMESPORT, NY — Months after a devastating fire gutted a Jamesport potato barn once used for the creation of replica Batmobiles and other custom cars, the man behind the beautiful rides has a new space to realize his dreams.

A GoFundMe page, "Fire Destroys Batrodz. Everything Lost!" was created by Lori Hallas, cousin of James Benken and his wife Sue, after the November blaze. "The potato barn where Jim, of BatrodzLLC, kept his custom cars and tools and years full of memories — as well as his pet pigeons— burned to the ground in an electrical fire," she wrote. "Jim and Sue grew up on the East End and have spent their lives giving back to this community. It is now our time to help them and give back to them. They lost everything in the barn with this fire. Nothing is salvageable. Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated."

But despite an outpouring of love and concern from the community, in the months since, Benken found himself still in need of help — and was at first unsure if he'd ever be able to find a new space to continue his work.

The future, however, is now filled with hope. A local family, he said, "was nice enough to rent me some space in Laurel," he said. While the space is smaller, "it will definitely help me to get back to work."

Funds are still an issue, with the insurance company paying less than a quarter of his claim, he said.

However, with that insurance and with the proceeds of the GoFundMe donations, "I will be able to get started again very soon," Benken said.

The love he's received from so many has forever touched his heart, Benken said. "I would like to thank everyone that helped me out in one way or another over the last four months," he said. "It's greatly appreciated."

And, there are other exciting plans to announce: Benken was recently hired by Eastern Suffolk BOCES to teach auto body classes at night, a few times every week. His hope is to transition into the day program so that he can now work on his cars in the evening, in the new space. He'd like to offer his specialized skill set to an even wider array of students, he said.

Describing what the weeks were like after the fire, Benken said: "It was an absolute nightmare. You go from being successful, with brand recognition, to nothing in a day."

He added: "At one point, I sold replica fiberglass bodies worldwide and have shipped my cars all over the world, too."

Around 9 p.m. on Nov. 12, the Riverhead Fire Department was dispatched as mutual aid to 1795 Main Rd. in Jamesport for a building fire. The address belongs to Batrodz Resurrection Garage.

"The first responding units found a potato barn fully involved," Jamesport firefighters said. The Riverhead Fire Department assisted the Jamesport Fire Department at the scene, along with the Mattituck Fire Department. Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance stood by in case of any injuries, and the Flanders-Northampton Fire Department stood by at the Jamesport firehouse, fire officials said.

The scene was turned over to Riverhead fire marshal for investigation, the Riverhead Fire Department said. The blaze was extinguished by 11:30 p.m.

Former Riverhead Fire Chief Steve Beal said that when they arrived, the fire was raging through the roof, which collapsed.

Benken, owner of Batrodz Resurrection Garage, said he has not performed commercial work for customers in quite a few years.

"That barn was only used for my personal storage and project builds of my own," he said.

In the days since the fire, friends and fellow car enthusiasts expressed not just their sorrow at the heartbreaking loss, but offers to help Benken dig his life's work and passion from the charred rubble.

Displaying a Facebook video of a burnt 1966 Gotham Roadster body #70 being pulled from the charred remains of his dream after the fire, Benken wrote: "Thanks to everyone that came out to help me get everything out. You’ll never know how much I appreciate the help and support."

After time spent struggling to save something, anything, from the ashes, Benken was disheartened. "We cleaned out all the cars. Quite a few showed up to lend a hand. It was horrible to see the cars destroyed. I was hoping I could save at least one car. Nothing at all was salvageable."

His favorite car in the barn had been a 1986 Buick Grand National, Benken said, in the days after the fire. "I've had that car about four years and was doing a restoration on it. It's badly burned. I could fix that car, but it would cost more than it's worth, and I don't have any tools or a place to do the work — so I'll be forced to scrap it. It's pretty bad."

The GoFundMe, however, represents an outpouring of caring from those who have rallied to help lift up Benken after devastating loss. He expressed gratitude for the kindness shown by the many who care. With any funds raised, Benken said, "Hopefully, I can pull everything together and buy a few more cars."

He wrote about the fire on Facebook hours after all was lost, thanking firefighters. "I would also like to thank all my friends and family that reached out to me. It’s truly appreciated."

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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