Written by: Michael Logan for TV Guide
This is officially the coolest frackin’ sci-fi collectible ever — and it’ll only set you back $7,900 (USD)!
Fans of Battlestar Galactica can now purchase their very own 7-foot-tall, museum-quality Cylon Centurion complete with stereo sound and a menacing red LED-scanning eye.
“This is not a mass-produced item from China; they’re each handmade, signed and numbered by me in my L.A. studio,” says craftsman Fred Barton, who specializes in high-end replicas of famous bots (Forbidden Plant’s Robby, Lost in Space’s B9 and — coming soon — Star Wars’ C3PO and R2-D2). “The Centurions are a rarity among collectibles because there’s no original model. They’re computer-generated for TV. This is the only way to see one in person.”
Barton, who is marketing the Centurions via a licensing agreement with NBC Universal, says his “customers range from plumbers and brain surgeons to Nicolas Cage and Tim Allen.” Also available is a life-size Centurion from the classic 1978-80 ABC series that spawned the current Sci Fi Channel hit — albeit with one modification. “The first Centurions were created during the disco era with glitzy, ultra-shiny armor that would look pretty cheap by today’s standards,” says Barton. “We’ve remade them with a reflective showroom finish that’s much more sophisticated.”
Each Centurion is made to order (via NBCUniversalStore.com or
TheRobotMan.com — allow 6 to 8 weeks) and will arrive in a protective crate at your front door, fully assembled.
Notes Barton with a laugh: “We don’t want any Christmas-morning headaches!”
Living room?
Put it on the stoop to “greet” any unwanted salesmen. 😉
I’d love one, but the postage on a 300 pound, 7 foot crate would probably double the price. Also I don’t have $7900. Sob!
Its not like Sam to make a mistake, but, the correct link to Fred Barton’s website as http://www.the-robotman.com/
$7,900?! What are they jewel encrusted? Is this the Maltese Cylon?
I can has cylon?
Oh, that is so cool! I totally want one, but alas, I do not have the $7900, :(((((
According to his website you can buy a Robby the Robot for $29 995 (Deluxe Edition) so I suppose $8000 is a bit of a bargain in comparison.
Seems a modest enough price for such a collectible … the Star Trek auction yielded hundreds of thousands in bids for models, costumes, and props from the series of series on television (Star Trek; DS9, Voyager, and ST:TNG). Of course, these were the originals … not copies.