Lightning McQueen

Lightning McQueen is a professional race car who lives in Radiator Springs.

Persona
Lightning started out as an arrogant, selfish and conceited race car who felt he did not need any help to win races. He was unsatisfied with having the small and unglamorous Rust-eze as a sponsor and intended to ditch them for Dinoco Oil the first chance he got. After winding up in Radiator Springs by accident, he started to lose his less desirable traits as he formed a bond with the town and its residents. He was very touched when Mater saw him as his best friend and grateful to Sally for offering him a place to stay at her motel. As a racer, Lightning is very talented, gutsy and confident and strives to be the best at what he does.

Basis
McQueen is not modeled directly after a specific make and model, although his design contains some elements inspired by the Chevrolet Corvette C6.

Livery
Lightning is painted red, with an orange and yellow lightning bolt design on his doors, along with the number "95" and a variety of sponsor stickers. He has the Rust-eze logo on his hood, as well as on his spoiler and rear fenders. "Medicated Ointment" is written on his yellow rear bumper.

Trivia

 * Lightning accidentally ended up in Radiator Springs on his way to a big race in California.