A DAD splashed out nearly £17,000 transforming a Chevrolet Camaro into Lightning McQueen – after getting the idea from a boozy night out with his pals.
Andy King, 60, began his passion project last September after buying a 2010 Camaro 6.2 V8 SS for just shy of £10,000.
Andy King splashed out nearly £17,000 to transform his Chevrolet Camaro 6.2 V8 SS Credit: SWNS
The dad-of-two says he got the idea during an evening down his local with his mates Credit: SWNS
Andy, from Long Stratton, near Norwich in Norfolk, then spent £7,000 transforming the iconic muscle car into the Pixar character at his son’s suggestion.
Lightning McQueen is the protagonist of Disney’s Cars franchise, making his debut in the 2006 movie with his famous catchphrase “Ka-chow”.
Andy now tours the vehicle at proms, , birthday parties and car meets – turning heads wherever he goes.
The handyman said: “It started from a bit of banter on a boys’ night out.
He says he gets interest in the car from all ages Credit: SWNS
Transforming the muscle car has been a passion project for the handyman Credit: SWNS
“We go out locally on a Thursday and we came across an advert for the car.
“I typed out a message offering to pick it up on the Saturday and by the end of the night I’d sent it.
“It’s not a bad result from being inebriated. It started from a bit of fun but to bring so many people happiness, that’s really nice.”
Andy and his family went on holiday to in 2007 where they visited Disney studios and met the “real Lightning McQueen”.
The first in the franchise, which features voicing the anthropomorphic vehicle, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Andy, a dad-of-two, said: “He’s been such a hit in our family.
“I drove 270 miles home from collecting the car, which was then orange, in Accrington and it was amazing. It did feel strange sitting on the left.
“It needed a few repairs and a fresh paint. My son suggested I get it wrapped instead and he said it’d be good as Lightning McQueen.
“I bought all the decor online and the stickers were installed as well as the wrap.”
Andy has spent £7,000 on transforming the Chevrolet Camaro into Lightning McQueen and initially took the car to a school fete.
He received a flurry of interest and now rides the vehicle out for proms, birthdays and weddings – even having interest from .
The widower said: “When I’m driving down dual carriageways, I set cruise lower than normal as its nice to let people go past and see it.
“They’ll get to almost level with me and then suddenly they’ll back right up.
“Next they’ll come back holding a camera in the passenger window as they drive past, taking a picture.
“I wave and they wave back.”
Andy, who used to work as a joiner, said he is stopped regularly when taking the car into his town and he receives interest from all ages.
He plans to keep working on Lightning McQueen and said the project “will continue to evolve.”
He added: “It’s turning into something of a full-time job.
“The kids absolutely love it – it’s Lightning McQueen in real life. They get to pretend they’re driving him.
“It’s bigger than I ever expected it to be.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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