How one lucky guy found a real Lightning McQueen NASCAR in a salvage yard and bought it for a steal
- A UK car enthusiast found a life-sized Lightning McQueen NASCAR
- It had been hidden away and was believed to have been crushed
- The price he paid for it might surprise you
Published on Oct 13, 2024 at 2:00 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Oct 11, 2024 at 6:02 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
This UK-based car enthusiast found a life-sized Lightning McQueen replica NASCAR – and the price he paid for it might surprise you.
Despite struggling financially he had always dreamed of owning American muscle cars.
The Lightning McQueen NASCAR replica had been hidden away and was believed to have been crushed.
After lengthy negotiations, however, he eventually acquired it for just $500.
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Lightning McQueen NASCAR replica
Created for the UK premiere of the Disney Pixar movie Cars, alongside other characters, when the buzz of the release died down, they were taken to a salvage yard in London.
They were supposed to be crushed but instead stayed in a container for years until their owner died and they were taken out.
Around 15 feet long and 7.5 feet wide, its short, wide, and low proportions mimic those of the on-screen character which was based on a composite made up of various models.
Here are seven real cars that were used Cars.
The cartoonish wheels are an oversized 25-inch and fitted with unique Goodyear rubber tires that lend to the NASCAR aesthetic.
Constructed primarily from vibrant fiberglass and covered with graphics associated with Lightning McQueen, complete with his signature number ’95’.
More of a prop than a functional vehicle, its steering is inefficient and difficult to maneuver.
Its authenticity can be verified by a Walt Disney or Pixar production plate inside.
How the YouTuber came to own it
Sam of Hard Up Garage talked to VINwiki about his experience of initially being told that the car wasn’t for sale.
However, he kept in touch with the people at the salvage yard, occasionally taking boxes of donuts to sweeten the deal, which eventually cost him just $500 after five years of negotiations.
However, he had planned to spend far more, budgeting ’10 grand’ for the purchase.
While he plans to sell the car for profit, he hopes to first create a fiberglass mold to keep for himself.
This isn’t the only movie-car steal, the epic ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Lamborghini Countach sold for ‘bargain’ $738,000.
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London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
