STINGS LIKE A BEE.

LOOKS LIKE A CONCEPT!

Much like the Buffalo Auto Show, the biggest stars of last year’s huge movie hit, “Transformers” were in fact the cars. The most popular of the five different GM models featured in the movie is the Bumblebee Camaro,  based on the Chevrolet Camaro concept. The Camaro concept  is expected to go into production and on sale in the first quarter of 2009. Now, the Bumblebee Camaro  is scheduled as “star” of the “CARibbean CARnival”, February 6-10 at the Buffalo Niagara  Convention Center.

With filming taking place so far in advance of production of the 2009 Chevy Camaro, getting the new Camaro into “Transformers” took massive cooperation between Detroit and Hollywood. The result of this effort is one of the most impressive automotive movie props ever built — a fully functional, fiberglass-bodied replica of the concept car first shown at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. It looks just like the concept car, only it's painted a better color and actually moves under its own power.

The "Transformers" movie was collaboration between Paramount, DreamWorks, and Hasbro.  At the Buffalo Auto Show’s Regal Cinema display,  attendees will have a chance to win one of several “Transformer” miniatures , while supplies last.

Last fall, Hasbro introduced the  “Ultimate Bumblebee” the most realistic “Transformer”  toy ever with amazing detail and special animatronic features that bring the toy to “life.” At the end of the Auto Show, a drawing will be conducted for two “Ultimate Bumblebee” Hasbro replicas.

In car mode, Bumblebee is an approximately 1/14 scale Camaro concept with realistic car features. By rolling the vehicle you activate headlights and revving engine sounds. Stopping activates taillights and screeching brakes or crashing sounds.

After the car is manually converted   to robot mode, Bumblebee stands an impressive 14” tall. With the touch of a button, robotic Bumblebee comes to “life” with speech, music – featuring DEVO’s “Whip It”, battle and conversion sounds and animated head, arms and wings. Bumblebee’s sound detection capabilities enable him to respond to noise, and he can also aim and fire a missile.

The 2008 Buffalo Auto Show hours are 11 A. M. to 9 P.M. Wednesday through Thursday, Friday, 10 A. M. to 10 P.M. Saturday, and Sunday 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

The General admission tickets to the Auto Show will cost $8 at the gate and have a stub redemption offer for a free medium pizza at all area Pizza Hut restaurants. Children 5 years and younger are admitted free to the 2008 Buffalo Auto Show.

A savings is available with advance single tickets to the 2008 Buffalo Auto Show exclusively at Tops markets.  A special “Value Pack for 4” ticket for $20 – a $12 savings over four individual general admission gate tickets at the Show admits four people to the show on the same day.