Townsville cancer patient Gary Way’s dying wish for one last ride in his 1976 Holden Torana

A Townsville dad with terminal cancer and just months to live has made one final wish – to get his 1976 Holden Torana back on the road for one last ride.

A Townsville dad with terminal cancer and just months to live has made one final wish – to get his 1976 Holden Torana back on the road for one last ride.

Mundingburra retiree Gary Way, 66, was diagnosed with stage four small cell lung cancer and given just 12 months to live shortly after his birthday in February.

His daughter Gyan Way said the former handyman spent weeks in hospital, and scans revealed a large lump in his lung pushing on his vocal cords was a tumour.

“Stage four is pretty much a death sentence as terrible as that is,” she said.

Townsville dad Gary Way has been diagnosed with stage four small cell lung cancer.

“It’s a big tumour in his lung that’s spread to his kidneys, and it’s in his chest wall.

“He’s got the most aggressive cancer you can get, and it’s just gotten worse and worse.”

With her father’s time cut short, Ms Way said she was on a mission to give her dad his final wish.

“All my life, my dad has had his Torana SLR 5000 sitting in the garage, just waiting for the day he could retire and get her back on the road,” she said.

“He’s had it since 1976. It’s his pride and joy.

Gary‘s final wish is to take one last ride in his 'pride and joy', a 1976 Holden Torana which needs repairs.

“He’s got a million stories about this car, but it’s been in the garage ever since the engine blew about 37 years ago.”

She said her dad was looking forward to fixing it up after he got his superannuation but soon after their family home was severely damaged in the 2019 floods.

Mr Way then put his energy into single-handedly fixing his family home after the flood waters left their Queenslander infested with mould.

“It touched every single thing in that house, and both my parents lost everything to the floods,” Ms Way said.

The family are looking to raise about $20,000 to get the car back on the road.

She said soon after, her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer this year and her mother was diagnosed with dementia.

“It’s been a rough time for our family, but right now, we just want to focus on making dad’s final wish come true,” she said.

“It means the world to him. Dad’s not one to show his emotions, but I know he’d be in tears if he’s able to get behind the wheel of his car one last time.”

A GoFundMe appeal with a fundraising target of $20,000 has been set up to help the family repair the car and make Mr Way’s final wish come true.

If you would like to help, visit: https://gofund.me/9973af48

Originally published as Townsville cancer patient Gary Way’s dying wish for one last ride in his 1976 Holden Torana