The Energon Pub

a Pontiac GTO

http://www.saleen.com/transformers.htm

Saleen Builds Bumblebee

There was not a moving 2009 Camaro when the filming for Transformers was set to start. Although Saleen is typically known for building super fast Fords and the Saleen S7, the movie’s transportation coordinator, Steve Mann, knew that Saleen could build the best production movie cars possible.

Bumblebee started its life as a Pontiac GTO, the vehicle that most closely matched the size of the new Camaro. The GTO also had an adequately sized V8 engine that would work well as a like power plant to the new Camaro.

“Basically, it was reverse engineered by our build team,” says Bryan Chambers, general manager at Saleen’s Troy facility. “We were given some data and some selections and wheelbase drawings by GM. Then we cut and cobbled from there.”

Saleen builders cut the body of the GTO down to the floor boards, even removing the rocker panels and replacing them with steel tubing that would eventually make up the structure of the Camaros. This was done to alter the car, while maintaining its structural integrity.

The first running 2009 Camaro concept took Saleen just 30 days to complete, and both were done in less than 45. [/url]