Despite all the mockery and hand-wringing over Michael Bay’s adaptation of the Transformers franchise, big robots and big explosions have always been a formula for success. So it is that we find ourselves talking about the fourth installment of the live-action Transformers movie franchise, which brings with it some familiar characters in new clothes.

The new Bumblebee will be based on a ’67 Camaro, but whats the story behid this Transformer’s transformation?

Over at Motor Trend, a reader named Luis Galdames was wandering through an L.A. neighborhood when he came upon the scene shown here – a car transporter loaded with the original movie Optimus Prime and Bumblebee vehicles. But we were under the impression Optimus and Bumblebee were getting an updated look. What gives?

While our initial reaction is that these are older props from the first few movies, judging from the way Bumblebee is covered with protective plastic wrap, we now have our doubts. We know that in the next Transformers movie, due out in 2014, Bumblebee ditches the modern look for the look of a 1967 Camaro, and will be joined by a Corvette C7 as well. Optimus will also get some new sheetmetal, and there will be new and old faces alike in the next movie.

One possible explanation is that the new movie actually explains how and why Bumblebee goes from modern to retro, and that the original Bumblebee Camaro still has a small part to play. Maybe he is seriously damaged in battle, or gets sent back in time? We won’t know until next summer, so let the wild speculation begin!