Optimus Prime 1992 Peterbilt 379 and Bumblebee 1967 Camaro SS Auctions
Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 5:45 amHere's something a little different for the real vehicle and live action fans out there: have you ever considered owning the 'real' Optimus Prime and/or Bumblebee from the movies? Now you can, according to an auction organised by Barrett-Jackson. You can read a general overview of the auction here, a snippet and some images below and browse the auction pages directly here for Optimus (1992 PETERBILT 379) and here for Bumblebee (1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS) - currently owned by Michael Bay.
I mean, why not, right?
I mean, why not, right?
Though the holiday season for giving extravagant gifts will have come and gone by the end of January, Barrett-Jackson, the World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions®, will sell two ultimate toys at its Scottsdale auction. This duo of the most famous vehicles in the world from the Hollywood big screen will cross the block at WestWorld … and they can be yours.
Optimus Prime®, the iconic 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. Fear not, Optimus will not be alone. It will be accompanied by its brother-in-arms, a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro used in “Transformers 4: Age of Extinction,” known as Bumblebee™.
Lot #1325.1 - When it came to creating the first live-action "Transformers" movie, the most important characterization was certainly that of "Optimus Prime." An entire team of artists and illustrators worked tirelessly, drawing potential trucks and cars, trying to zero in on just the right look for each robot/vehicle. When the film's production designer showed Michael Bay a photo of the enormous Peterbilt tractor, the director was immediately taken by the lines and size of the truck, even through he know he would face intense criticism for his choice - in the same way he did for selecting a GM Camaro in place of the original VW Beetle known as the beloved robot Bumblebee. Both of Bay's picks ended up enthralling new audiences as well as diehard fans of the sci-fi series. The Peterbilt, a more aggressive truck, was also used as Bay's tip-of-the-hat to Steven Spielberg's 1971 film, "Duel." This vehicle is one of the tractors used. It was a picture and stunt vehicle and is being sold "AS-IS" and "WITH ALL FAULTS" and is subject to execution of a Paramount Waiver. **SOLD ON BILL OF SALE ONLY. NOT CURRENTLY STREET LEGAL, FOR DISPLAY ONLY, MAY NOT BE EMISSIONS COMPLIANT IN ALL 50 STATES.**
Lot #1325.2 - "Bumblebee," Resto-Mod built to use in the fourth installment of the "Transformers" film franchise, "Transformers: Age of Extinction," starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Michael Bay, the current owner of the vehicle. LS2 fuel-injected Corvette engine, 6-speed overdrive transmission, custom suspension, mini tubs, Wilwood brakes plus added stunt extra caliper, 9" Ford rear end, touchscreen navigation stereo system, custom three-piece racing wheels, Nitto low-profile tires, hideaway headlights, custom Halo LED yellow headlights, yellow Ridetech "TigerCage" rollcage, custom-made carbon-fiber fender flares and front splitter, power hood latch, satin black paint with high-gloss yellow accents, carbon-fiber engine covers, Auto Meter Cobalt gauges, system kill within glovebox, Eddie Motorsport hood hinges, custom billet core support bars with yellow accents, smoothed firewall, hydraulic braking assist. Audi flush-mount door handles. Late-model Camaro seats. Autographed by its current owner, Michael Bay.
