Man builds Disney Pixar race car after boy's night out idea

A 60-year-old car enthusiast has transformed a Chevrolet Camaro into a beloved Disney Pixar character.

Andy King from Long Stratton in Norfolk bought the car after his wife died from cancer two years ago and started revamping it after his youngest son suggested he turn it into Lightning McQueen.

Now he takes the car to events including school proms and even drives it round the county on trips to the supermarket.

He said: "I bought it on a boys' night out... it seemed like a good idea at the time and it's just evolved."

King visited Florida with his wife and two sons in 2007, a year after the first Disney Pixar Cars animated film was released.

The character, voiced by actor Owen Wilson, is infamous for its red body, lightning bolt stickers and ka-chow catchphrase.

He said: "Cars has been really special to all of us in our family for many years. The film came out in 2006, and it's now its 20th anniversary.

"To actually go to Florida and meet the real Lightning McQueen in 2007 and now owning one is mind-blowing."

He bought the Chevrolet Camaro after his wife died, which changed his life "completely".

He said: "We were together for 20 years, married for 10, and she was an amazing woman.

"If I could swap it all in a heartbeat I would. I certainly wouldn't have had this."

The car recently debuted at its first event last month and has been turning heads across the county ever since.

However, he said refurbishments to the car will never be totally finished and will be an ongoing project.

He said: "Whenever kids see the car, because it's just an iconic car, the kids just fall about because it is just Lightning McQueen — it's as real as I can make it.

"I drive it wherever I need to go because it's something that needs to be seen."

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