John Lasseter said that inspiration for the film's story came after he took a cross-country road trip with his wife and five sons in 2000. When he returned to the studio after vacation, he contacted Michael Wallis, a Route 66 historian.

Is Cars based off a true story?

Inspired by director John Lasseter's real-life cross-country road trip, the film still draws families and fans to iconic attractions featured (or riffed on) in the movie, including the remaining Wigwam Villages, trading posts, curiosity shops, and vintage filling stations.

Is the king from Cars based on a real person?

Strip "The King" Weathers (voiced by Richard Petty) is a veteran race car and racing legend. Weathers is an anthropomorphic version of Petty's 1970 Plymouth Superbird, sporting the same shade of blue and Petty's racing number, 43, as well as being a fictionalized version of him.

Is Radiator Springs based off a real town?

The cartoon depiction of Radiator Springs and Carburetor County is based on a composite of multiple landmarks in multiple states, from Baxter Springs, Cherokee County, Kansas to Peach Springs, Arizona and a bit beyond.

What is the original Cars story?

The story of Cars is set in an alternate universe where every character is a vehicle of various sorts, whether that be an automobile, an aircraft and a watercraft. The film focuses on a rookie race car named Lightning McQueen who discovers the lost town of Radiator Springs on his way to the biggest race of his life.

Film Theory: The Cars in The Cars Movie AREN'T CARS!

Is Cars based on real Cars?

Many characters from "Cars" are drawn from real cars. Some are difficult to recognize, and some are exact copies of a real car. For example: Fillmore, Michael Schumacher, Snot Rod, Mama Topolino, Natalie Certain and many others from the cars movie are real car models.

What car is McQueen based on?

what type of car is Lightning McQueen? He is not based on any particular type of vehicle, but seems to most closely resemble a C6 Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper. His body is painted red with yellow and orange lightning bolt stickers featuring his racing number on his sides.

Does Route 66 still exist?

Route 66 technically doesn't exist anymore, it was decommissioned on June 26, 1985. But the original road ran from Chicago to Los Angeles and has been replaced for much of its route by I-40. You can still travel over much of what used to be Route 66 and there are a lot of towns that still celebrate the “Mother Road”.

Is Route 66 from Cars real?

Route 66 is actually the real U.S. Route 66, as it caught the interest of John Lasseter and the production makers of the film. Not mentioned in the film, Route 66 is also known as "The Main Street of America".

Where are Cars set in real life?

In fact, a lot of the movie's story is based on the recollections of barber Angel Delgadillo of Seligman, AZ, where business withered soon after the opening of I-40. Since much of the movie is spent on Route 66, various towns in Arizona, and other parts of the U.S., were also used as inspiration.

What car is Mater in real life?

Mater – 1951 Chevrolet Boom Truck

He's a little rusty, but it's clear he's modeled after both the 1951 International Harvester tow truck and the 1951 Chevrolet boom truck (which is the same car). That truck was and is still used as a towing vehicle since it first came out.

What car is McQueen in real life?

One of the early influences on McQueen's eventual bodywork and engine sound was the C6 Corvette, which had just been released, and its production-based racecar variant. That variant was the multi-championship winning Chevrolet Corvette C6.

Is Doc Hudson based on a real car?

Inspiration. Doc Hudson is based on the real-life Fabulous Hudson Hornet in NASCAR competition, with Hudson's racing career most closely resembling that of Herb Thomas, the record holder for the highest career win rate (55 of 228 races, or 21.05%), and the first-ever two-time champion.

Will there be Cars 4?

Anticipation for Cars 4 is high, but Disney has not addressed any details for the movie. Producers have shown openness to expanding the franchise, with potential for a new lightning McQueen narrative. Story details remain a mystery, focusing on potential Cruz Ramirez involvement and moving away from McQueen.

Who is Chick from Cars based on?

Chick is a 1979 Shyster Cremlin, a fictional car based on and designed after a 1986 Buick Regal in NASCAR form. Chick is painted green, with the number 86 painted on his doors, and has yellow rims. He also has a grille, which serves as a mustache.

Is the waterfall in Cars a real place?

Havasu Falls – Havasu Falls, Arizona

Here you'll find the famous waterfall in the Grand Canyon that inspired the one that Lightning McQueen and Sally admire during their tour of the countryside. This same waterfall is one of the crowning features of the Radiator Springs Racers ride in Disney's California Adventure.

Are Radiator Springs real?

There is not one town called Radiator Springs, but there are several towns that inspired the town in the movie, and I passed through all of them on this trip. The buildings, and even the characters, are all based on buildings and people along the Route.

Are Cars based on real life?

Many characters from "Cars" are drawn from real cars. Some are difficult to recognize, and some are exact copies of a real car. For example: Fillmore, Michael Schumacher, Snot Rod, Mama Topolino, Natalie Certain and many others from the cars movie are real car models.

Is the wheel well in Cars a real place?

Wheel Well / Wagon Wheel Motel

They end up at the Wheel Well motel that has seen better days, but the duo restored the motel back to tip-top shape by the end of the film. This is similar to the Wagon Wheel Motel located in Cuba, Missouri, that was built in the 1930s.

Why is Route 66 so abandoned?

Route 66's popularity led to its downfall, with traffic swelling beyond its two-lane capacity. In 1956, legislation created the Interstate System, and over the course of three decades, five separate interstates bypassed segment after segment of Route 66.

Is Route 66 safe to drive?

Most of the road is paved, making it safer to travel on than it has been in the past. These days, the most significant danger of driving Route 66 is the extreme weather you may run into along the way.

Why is US Route 66 so famous?

Route 66 became one of the most famous roads in America, having been popularized in American culture through books, songs, music, magazines, movies, and television shows. During the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, it was the primary route for the migration of farm workers from the Midwest to California.

How old is Sally in Cars 1?

Sally is mid-30's to early 40's at the youngest.

What race is McQueen?

Lightning begins as a talented but cocky rookie in the Piston Cup racing series who becomes stranded in the small town of Radiator Springs, where he learns about humility and friendship from the locals. Over his professional racing career he wins several Piston Cup victories.

How old is Tow Mater?

Mater and Ivan are the only characters in Cars 2 that are tow trucks. Mater's passport During the credits' roll of Cars 2, Mater's passport scrolls past. His birth date is listed on it. It turns out to be the same as John Lasseter's: January 12, 1957.