Bumblebee in town

AUSTRALIAN motor racing legend Kevin Bartlett is used to roar of a V8 Camaro, he even infamously rolled one at Bathurst in 1982.

Picture: Craig Warhurst

AUSTRALIAN motor racing legend Kevin Bartlett is used to roar of a V8 Camaro, he even infamously rolled one at Bathurst in 1982, but yesterday he kept the latest 2010 incarnation on its wheels while test driving it around Gympie.

KB, as he is known by friends, was all smiles as he climbed out of the brand new 6.2 litre 425hp beast now on sale at Performax International.

“It's bloody good,” he said.

“It's like sitting in a racing car.”

Bartlett was impressed with the job Performax International did converting the vehicle to right-hand drive, saying there was none of the usual rattles and squeaks present in most conversions.

Performax International general manager Nick Vandenberg said the conversion was a world first.

“It's the world's first 2010 right hand drive Camaro,” he said.

The bright yellow car can get to 100kmh in five seconds and was made famous in the movie Transformers as the transforming robot Bumblebee.

“This is the SS model, it's top of the range and should retail for around $140,000,” Mr Vandenberg said.

The car sets a new benchmark in conversion quality.

The Gympie-based car importer has spent a lot of money retooling their workshop and on research and development.

“The finish inside the car is faultless,” Mr Vandenberg said.

“We are now the best in the world at converting cars to right hand drive.”

Performax will officially unveil the Camaro on Thursday at the V8 Supercars lunch at the A1 Grand Prix at the Gold Coast.

The car will be used as a medical chase car throughout the weekend of racing, exposing it to the racing public and potential buyers. And why not buy one now, with the Australian dollar so strong against the greenback American muscle cars are good value for money.

You could buy a block of land, but you can't drive that.

Originally published as Bumblebee in town