Age of inflation: 1967 ‘Bumblebee’ Camaro SS going up for auction

By Andrew Hard January 1, 2016

Say what you want about Michael Bay, but the man has good taste in cars. When he’s not bathing our childhood heroes in massive CGI explosions or awkwardly zooming in on female characters, the Transformers director is busy driving his Ferrari 458 Italia, Bentley Continental GT, Lamborghini Aventador, or Porsche 911 Turbo.

Until recently, Bay was the proud owner of a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS, the very same model that played Bumblebee in Transformers: Age of Extinction. The muscle car is due to receive another owner soon, as the car will be sold at the 2016 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona in January.

The one-off was heavily customized for its appearance in the 2014 blockbuster, and features an LS-series Corvette engine (the particular model is not specified), six-speed manual gearbox, custom suspension, a 9-inch Ford rear end, a roll cage, and Wilwood brakes. On the aesthetics side, the SS wears a satin black exterior with yellow accents, three-piece racing wheels, custom LED headlights, bespoke carbon fiber fender flares, and of course, graphics from the Transformers franchise. The car also equips a touchscreen navigation system and leather seats from a late-model Camaro.

Transformers: Age of Extinction was almost universally panned by critics, but according to Box Office Mojo, the movie grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide. Another sequel starring Mark Walhberg — the fifth in the franchise — is planned for release sometime in 2017.

DT Cars editor Alexander Kalogianni recently got a chance to take his very own Bumblebee on a trip around the southern United States. His 2016 2LT Camaro may not have saved the planet from hostile aliens or evil robots, but the bright yellow two-door proved a loyal companion just the same. Check out the video from his trip around the bayou here.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.