History
Well this car is true phoenix rising from the ashes and a true dedication not only to my passion for cars and unique ones at that but to the legacy of The Aussie Lightning McQueen theme which I started to create on a Camry wagon for my son when he was a baby and for other kids and their families to enjoy which I finally brought to life on Good Friday 2019 at the Kruze4Kids event in Sunbury VIC.
Originally this car came to me on loan from an in-laws family when the Camry had mechanical issues and it was far from being in the good state I normally have my cars in as it was just like the wagon once was and banged up, yellow stained and it even had a hubcap missing to go with a really ratty interior.
But after searching for a new car to buy and not having any luck I eventually got offered the car and after seeing the potential it had I couldn’t say no plus I figured that if I kept it, a Lightning McQueen double with two cars would just make my Cars and Lightning McQueen displays for kids all the more special but unfortunately before I could finish this Lightning McQueen sedan off properly the Camry wagon was involved in a serious car accident and written off..
To lose not only a car I created something special with and that I won over a dozen times with but a car I bought as a family car just before my son was born and then brought him home from hospital in as a newborn really was a massive loss that still makes me feel empty nearly a year on and it also didn’t help the fact the Magna wasn’t even close to being on the road at the time because I had been slowly working at fixing its issues because it was broken and failed the first roadworthy miserably over a year before but I knew it was now that I had to push on not just for my sake but that of my son and other kids. The Aussie Lightning McQueen legacy just had to go on!
But this wasn’t an easy task because after a second roadworthy it was still horrible despite fixing a lot already and I didn’t know if I could pull it off but 3 roadworthy checks, 33 things sorted just to pass, approximately $6000 and a whole lot of mechanical issues later we finally have it on the road and geez does it make me happy I stuck it out!
I’ve done everything from clean it like crazy, change panels, rip things out and I even changed most of the interior.. It’s like a whole different car now to what it once was.
Even after all my efforts I didn’t think a sedan would be able to create the same magic the wagon did but geez have I been wrong..
This car has gone from strength to strength which warms my heart knowing a second different car of mine can make such a difference to others and it didn’t take long for this Magna to continue the old wagons win streak either as it won Best Interior for all the red and Lightning McQueen merchandise at the 3rd car show into its journey which still blows me away a few months later because I not only created a second trophy winning car after losing the first one so horribly which was a very sentimental car to me but it’s the fact I can still make a difference to those who may need it no matter what car I do this theme on.
I’ve just got to make sure I keep pushing on with getting this car to the way I want and the best spot it could be because let’s face it you don’t just need the passion for it but you’ve got to: Dare to be Different, Strive to be Unique and make sure to create a little magic along the way!
Modifications
Mod list and changes at this current time is as follows:
- KJ Parabolic black headlights which need to be refitted
- KJ Verada grille
- TJ series 2 hubcaps in new condition
- Genuine headlight protectors
- TL VRX taillights.
- Black and Red interior including seats, doors and other parts.
- Colour coded side skirts
- Colour coded mirrors
- Colour coded exterior door triangles
- Colour coded bottom front grilles
- Chrome window surrounds
- Chrome wheel trims
- Dash mat
