At the end of January, Barrett-Jackson will sell two ultimate toys at its Scottsdale auction. This duo of automobiles rank among the most famous vehicles in the world from the Hollywood big screen that will cross the block at WestWorld.
Optimus Prime, the truck from the Transformers movie franchise will sell to the highest bidder in front of a capacity crowd that includes more than 300,000 event participants and 5.5 million television viewers worldwide. Optimus will be accompanied by a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro used in “Transformers 4: Age of Extinction,” known as Bumblebee.
Like the movie character that it represents, Optimus Prime (Lot #1325.1) is big. It has real presence. Its shiny oversized exhaust stacks produce a rumble distinctive to its character. While the big truck doesn’t transform into a two-story synthetic military leader from Cyberton, it is a fully functional vehicle with a real VIN and title. As the title is even in Paramount Pictures’ name, you know you’re adding a true celebrity to your collection. Optimus Prime has some interesting features, including a mirror-finished custom aluminum bumper with matching aluminum wheels, tanks and storage boxes. Behind the extra-deep sleeper unit is an armor-like “headache rack.”
Three additional features really set Optimus Prime apart. To assist in the illusion that the Optimus Prime character drives himself, this stunt truck features dark tinted windows, which add to its ominous vibe. Adding to the truck’s character are rows of glowing lights that suggest an intelligent being looming within. But by far the centerpiece of the Optimus Prime stunt truck is its custom grille capped off with a silver and red Autobots emblem.
Equally, if not more, impressive than Optimus Prime is Bumblebee, the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Resto-Mod (Lot #1325.2) that starred in Transformers 4: Age of Extinction. Transformers director Michael Bay is particularly fond of Bumblebee – so much so that he owns not one, but two Bumblebee Camaros in his personal collection, including a yellow 2010 Camaro and this 1967 Camaro being offered for sale at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale. This heavily customized Camaro features so many unique parts, there is no mistaking this car as anything other than a proper Hollywood movie star.
Like a brand-new Camaro, Bumblebee has been retrofitted with a modern, fuel-injected V8 engine with an overdrive manual transmission. The suspension has been upgraded and heavy-duty, four-wheel disc brakes have been added. Drivers and passengers will be comfortable with modern air conditioning, a modern stereo and late-model leather seating.
This 1967 Camaro has some special features that are instantly recognizable from Transformers 4: Age of Extinction. The features are by no means accidental, as Michael Bay set out to make Bumblebee more bold and muscular in the fourth film. The most obvious are the massive, one-off carbon-fiber flares that cover extra-wide Nitto tires wrapped around custom three-piece wheels. The flares are complemented by a carbon-fiber front “splitter” that juts out from below the front of the car. Lurking behind original-style “hideaway” headlight doors are custom LED Halo headlights that emit an ominous yellow glow when activated.
Completing the Bumblebee theme are various yellow accents, including a painted RideTech “TigerCage” roll bar peeking out of the cockpit, as well as a yellow rear spoiler and striping. The yellow theme is carried under the hood with custom carbon-fiber and yellow engine covers and billet aluminum core support bars. The smooth firewall supports a hydraulic assist braking system and modern Detroit Speed “Select-A-Speed” windshield wiper system.
With hardcore Resto-Mod features, globally recognized Transformers provenance and Michael Bay ownership, the Bumblebee 1967 Chevrolet Camaro is an exceptional opportunity for automotive and movie memorabilia collectors alike. Coupled with the sale of Optimus Prime, the truck that has starred in three Transformers films, all eyes will be on WestWorld and the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction when these two movie icons sell.
Courtesy Speedville.
