Dad converts car into Lightning McQueen after night out

Andy King, 60, began his passion project last September after buying a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 6.2 V8 SS from an Accrington seller for just shy of £10,000.

Andy, from Long Stratton, near Norwich in Norfolk, then spent £7,000 transforming iconic muscle car into the Disney 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, weddings, 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.

"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 Florida in 2007 where they visited Disney studios and met the "real Lightning McQueen".

The first film in the franchise, which features Owen Wilson 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 Wales.

The widower said: "When I'm driving down dual carriageways, I set cruise lower than normal as it's 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."