The Autobots Hit The Auction Block

Anyone can just roll up to an auction and buy a rare car (anyone with a lot of money, that is). But during Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale auction, people had a rare opportunity: bid on not one, but TWO Transformers.

The first one is Optimus Prime, chief of the Autobots in its vehicular form: a 1992 Peterbilt 379. Mechanically stock, the truck is powered by an inline-six turbocharged diesel engine displacing 14.6 litres. It is fitted with a slew of lights, enough chrome to blind a man and a unique paint job. The winning bidder had to part with US$121,000 dollars to bring the vehicle home, though.

• Also: Camaro Transformers Special Edition Unleashed
• Also: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro: Enough to win over a Mopar fan?

The second offering is the more interesting of the two, since it’s a resto-modded 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. If you saw the fourth installment of the movie series, you know this car as Bumblebee. However, this car received an LS3 V8, Wilwood brakes, a six-speed manual transmission and an all-new suspension setup. This car belonged to Michael Bay, who sold it for US$167,000.