Optimus Prime Peterbilt replica hits eBay

Focusing on the untransformed Optimus Prime is this $50k replica that has hit eBay's Canada store. The seller converted a 1994 Peterbilt into Hollywood's version of Optimus, complete with blue and red flame paint job, dozens of chrome switches, and a 17-inch entertainment system floating above the bunk in the back (and yes, the bunk has those Transformer sheets you had when you were 10 years old.)

[Thanks, Jonny B.]

[paloooz @ Oct 20th 2007 5:29PM]

Pff, let me know when there's an untransformed Bumble Bee for sale on eBay.

[bjrcboy @ Oct 20th 2007 5:44PM]

I second that!

[newgalactic @ Oct 20th 2007 5:56PM]

I believe they'll have them soon at your local Chevy dealer. I'm sure of this because I saw it on a very high budget, 2 1/2 hour commercial about a year ago. They look very cool.

...and the commercial was pretty cool too.

[Mikey @ Oct 20th 2007 6:44PM]

Gotta wait for the 2009 Chevy Camaro...

[brad @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:55AM]

does one hand not talk to the other...auto blog had this a few days ago!

[John @ Oct 20th 2007 5:52PM]

I don't read autoblog, so this was news to me. Not everyone has time to read the entire Internet every day, Brad.

[Peter @ Oct 20th 2007 6:25PM]

John - You would expect that the writers at one Weblogs site would keep up with what the other Weblogs sites were doing.

Posting the same stories makes the writers look like they either don't check or they do check and they decided to rip off each others ideas.

[Fruition @ Oct 20th 2007 7:37PM]

@Peter,

This is news, it isn't a novel or research paper. Reporting on an eBay sale is hardly an original idea, so even if they are "ripping it off" it really doesn't matter. The different blog sites attract different audiences, but sometimes both audiences are interested in the same thing.

[Ipaq3115 @ Oct 20th 2007 11:43PM]

@ John, I'm with you. So what if auto blog reported on this who reads auto blog I would rather just read engadget and get it all... and I am...

[Wwhat @ Oct 21st 2007 1:31AM]

Imagine the work you have to do to fill a site like engadget with a new item every 3 minutes like is done now during the week, and then you are suppose to also read all other sites? I like to see you try that.

[mushrooshi @ Oct 20th 2007 5:40PM]

I'd get it if I didn't look like a redneck.

[MARSHAK @ Oct 21st 2007 10:00AM]

what if you were a legitimate owner/operator and just loved transformers? all of north america runs on transport trucks. all these other fancy electronics on engadget have to get to best buy somehow. I don't think it is intended for someone to drive around in a semi truck to commute a 9-5 job.

[Adrian Williams @ Oct 20th 2007 6:29PM]

Prime is a RED Flat nose truck that looks like something Nicolas Cage would drive

[Mikey @ Oct 20th 2007 9:10PM]

Your right though, he was a cabover At least they do seem to have the right make. The old peterbuilt grills look like the that found on the original Optimus Prime.

[Christian Martin @ Oct 20th 2007 11:01PM]

I think you mean "was, in the original cartoon." If the fact that he hasn't been such in over fifteen years bothers you that much, please leave the planet.

[Peppie @ Oct 20th 2007 6:40PM]

I always wanted one...

[Loneguitarist @ Oct 20th 2007 6:42PM]

Pah! like those sheets i had when i was ten? TEN? I still sleep under those babies every night!

[suv4x4 @ Oct 20th 2007 7:15PM]

They should attached a trailer behind that has a mini-apartment in it, like those (quite expensive) mobile homes that some F1 drivers use for their families when on the go.

Of course I understand there was no trailer in the first movie... On the other hand... it's a Transformers truck, screw practical uses :)

[Jake @ Oct 20th 2007 7:39PM]

@ Adrian, no kidding! What, did I wake up in some bizarro world? This thing looks nothing like Optimus Prime.

Would the /real/ Optimus Prime please rise?

http://www.spencer1984.com/image/eb02a.jpg

-jp

[ark_v2 @ Oct 20th 2007 7:48PM]

God, it's so fucking ugly...

[suv4x4 @ Oct 20th 2007 7:53PM]

They slightly screwed up the flames to be fair, although it may the photo itself distorting the colors.

The shape is matching, but the color is solid red, while on the Transformers movie it's yellow-red gradient:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/ralphot/transformers/primealtlb8.jpg

[CoolTri @ Oct 22nd 2007 5:42PM]

After watching the bonus DVD i got with my Movie they say red is very hard to film. That may be the reason it does not looks like that color in the movie.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Oct 20th 2007 7:53PM]

I wonder if the sleeper cab has a vintage set of old Transformer sheets covering the mattress?

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Oct 20th 2007 7:54PM]

Nevermind, delete my comment. It does.

[suv4x4 @ Oct 20th 2007 7:54PM]

BTW, real world transformer truck:

http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/maynardaac/i/Truck%20(1).jpg

[jbcaro @ Oct 21st 2007 12:58AM]

Isn't that Oxtumus Prime?

[Meltz; @ Oct 20th 2007 8:01PM]

wouldn't this be the transformed version, rather than the untransformed? It's not like this is Prime's natural state.

[Brett @ Oct 20th 2007 8:23PM]

Those switches are absolutely insane. Insane amazing, but insane nonetheless.

[2shae @ Oct 21st 2007 9:17AM]

Daddy I want that one!!!!!!!!!

[CDN Crockett @ Oct 20th 2007 9:24PM]

There is no way that's a Optimus Prime truck! It doesn't have flames!!!

[Aaron @ Oct 20th 2007 9:41PM]

Where are those unforgivable lips on Prime? :(

[Pep pep @ Oct 20th 2007 11:00PM]

Canadians can't do anything right.

[MARSHAK @ Oct 21st 2007 10:07AM]

That was uncalled for. please keep comments like this to yourself. yea the truck isn't done perfectly but there is no need to associate that with a nationality.

[Ipaq3115 @ Oct 20th 2007 11:38PM]

You guys never watched the new movie... that looks exactally like prime in the new movie.

[Cagrino @ Oct 21st 2007 12:47AM]

Trick My Truck better watch out, that steering wheel is awesome!

[jbulava @ Oct 21st 2007 3:20PM]

This isn't a keyboard... *rereads title* ohhhhh, ok.

[Adam @ Dec 13th 2007 1:35PM]

This truck has the Hi-Rise bunk, the movie version has the flat-top.