By SEMA News Editors
Content Creator Spotlight: Christina Lardie
Instagram: @christinalardie
Facebook: @christinalardie
TikTok: @christinalardie
YouTube: @christinasgarage
Follower counts: 4.5k on Instagram; 500 on TikTok; 560 on Facebook; 2k on YouTube
Focus: Learning to wrench, her '69 Camaro and personal development
SEMA News: How did you get into the automotive industry?
Christina Lardie: My dad was a gearhead and loved classic muscle cars. He had purchased a drivable '69 Camaro, stripped it down to the unibody on jack stands and surprised me on my 30th birthday. It was supposed to be the car that he and I built together. About a year later, he died unexpectedly, and we never got the chance. At that point, I told myself that I would find a way to complete the car, even without experience. I did not even know how to jump a battery or change a tire.
SN: What's been your biggest motivator?
CL: Grief and love. Grief of losing my dad. Grief of being medically retired due to a low back injury from the job that I felt defined my value as a human being. My dad and I worked for the same fire department. He was a lieutenant, and I was an EMT on the ambulance. I was injured in 2016, my dad died in 2020, and my medical retirement was approved only a few months after his passing. I'm learning how to love myself down to my core. I'm learning how to be authentically myself. I'm learning how much value I bring to the table just as I am. I'm using all the pain as fire under me to give it all a reason. I want to help kids like my dad had planned to after he retired. He wanted to open a local shop for neighborhood kids to hang out, stay out of trouble and learn how to wrench. Although I don't have an interest in opening a shop, I do want to find ways that I can still make a bigger impact. I want to keep my father's legacy alive while also creating my own in the process.
SN: What's been your favorite part of being a part of the automotive community?
CL: The majority of people have been so welcoming, helpful and encouraging me to continue my pursuit.
SN: As a content creator in the industry, how do you hope to make an impact on your audience?
CL: Vulnerability and authenticity are two of my core values. I want to show people the reality of starting something new. I'm scared, don't know anyone or anything, I'm working my tail off and yet I still push forward. I'm leading by example to show my audience that each of them has the power to pursue what lights their hearts on fire, too. I don't see enough people admit they don't know or encourage taking risks and making mistakes in the process of learning, so why can't I be that person?
SN: Why is advocacy important to you?
CL: Even as I'm writing out my answers to all of these questions, I'm in tears. I don't know how to express in words the true importance of keeping this culture alive. I don't have the knowledge of policy or the ability to debate with professionals about how things should or shouldn't be done. All I know is my story. I also know that I'm not the only one whose heart is in this as much as mine. I want to share that. I want to remind people that our stories carry importance and encourage individuals that they do have the power to make a difference. Their story and passion is enough, and the only way for anyone to resonate with that is to stand up and share. It's not just a car.
SN: What's been the biggest moment of your career thus far?
CL: I experience imposter syndrome quite often, and throughout the last two years since starting my YouTube channel, there has been a whirlwind of things I'm in awe of and grateful for.
Most recently, being included in The Great Race with Riley's Rebuilds and all of the other amazing female content creators was a huge opportunity for me. Not only were my travel expenses covered by sponsors, but the gift of a once-in-a-lifetime experience was truly priceless.
I believe that it's important to provide value first, then negotiate later. I have been paying out of pocket to show up to as many events as I can, build relationships and bring value to the table. To say it's been a struggle is putting it lightly. I second-guess myself constantly and stress over my value not translating into actual sustainable income. So, when Riley invited me and I found out the sponsors were taking such good care of us, I was blown away. To show my gratitude, I showed up to the best of my ability. I stayed up until 3 a.m. every night of the nine-day race, editing and posting daily race updates on YouTube. I believe the best way to express appreciation and gratitude to someone who has given you an opportunity is to pour all you have into doing something with it and becoming successful. I refuse to let any of those who have taken that chance and invested in my future see me give up. This includes my dad. In my mind, there is no alternative. I will make it happen.
SN: What is on the horizon for you in 2025? Anything you're looking forward to?
CL: I just returned from Florida, wrenching with Riley's Rebuilds, preparing the same '66 Ford Fairlane from The Great Race for the 2025 SEMA Show. If things work out as planned, I will be flying to meet the group a few days before SEMA and drive the last leg in the Fairlane to Las Vegas.
I have been so inspired by the experience that I pitched an idea to the San Francisco Firefighters' Toy Program, a nonprofit run by the SFFD Union. I want to spend this next year building my Camaro and have it completed in time to attend a Toy Program fundraiser in Fall 2026 in my dad's memory.
My dad was involved with the Toy Program and loved giving back to the kids. I have memories as a child in the firehouse during Toy Program events. They already restored a '54 Chevy Truck as a restomod and dedicated it to my dad. They call it The Altenberg. I would love to collaborate with sponsors to help me with my build, bring other gearhead content creators out to help me wrench on my car and get the word out about the Toy Program. How cool would it be to drive from Sacramento to San Francisco in my Camaro with a truckload of toys in tow, donated by my followers, and park it next to The Altenberg? I'm tearing up again just thinking about it.
SN: What are you hoping to see from the industry in the next few years?
CL: The people make the party. I'm new to the industry, so I don't have the experience to know how it has been or how it should be. From my personal lifetime experience, I find the importance of humanization getting a little lost. People in general don't realize how much power they have as individuals, and I think it's crucial that we lead in a way that inspires and reminds those people that they matter. Sharing real stories, including the good, bad and ugly, is real and relatable. There are so many people who don't believe they can have their dream cars, be involved in any way that protects our rights as automotive enthusiasts or know that there are endless opportunities within the automotive industry available to them. I don't believe accessibility should just be given to anyone. I'm a firm believer that we need to work for what we have, helping us gain true appreciation for how special it is. That is why leading by example is so important. We show people through our own actions what is possible.
Are you a passionate automotive or racing content creator? Do you want to get involved with SEMA/PRI and spread the word about important advocacy initiatives? Contact Lauren Wilbor from the SEMA Washington, D.C., office at laurenpw@sema.org.
