$4,000...for that?

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:28:36 GMT

Finally saw the Transformers movie at the weekend.

It probably says a lot about me (and people who know me probably won't be surprised), but I had no trouble suspending my disbelief. Except for one tiny little thing...

Bumblebee (an Autobot, in case you're wondering) is dressed up as GM's new Camaro for most of the film. Great rolling advert...shame the car isn't actually out for another two years. I won't go on in fanboy horror about how he ought to be a Volkswagen Beetle like the original - frankly, I'm rather glad he's not - but I do have a slight problem with his opening scene.

You see, he doesn't start off all flashy and new. Bumblebee's live-action on screen debut comes as a beat-up 1977 Camaro, complete with rust spots, dial radio and air fresheners hanging from the rearview mirror. This makes sense, as in order to get close to Sam Witwicky - the film's teenaged male protagonist, played by newcomer Shia LaBeouf - he's got to be affordable. A shiny-new model just isn't going to do.

But then - nor is the price. Bumblebee-the-beater costs the Witwickys... $4,000.

Four. Thousand. Dollars.

$4,000 for a junker 1977 Camaro? I mean, seriously. I know American muscle car values are currently going through the roof - but that's just ridiculous. You'd be lucky to get $400 for a car in that shape. Wouldn't you...?

We-ell. No. No, it turns out, is definitely the answer. Try $40,000 - as that's what the 'prop' Camaro from the film just went for on eBay.

And without it actually being an 'alien robot'.

To quote Sam himself, later in the movie: "Who knew..."

Bests,

cj

Links:

Bumblebee on eBay [opens in new window]

Inside Track: Entertainment

$4,000...for that?