Find out which “Cars” locations have similar off-screen places you can visit in person!
The real-world inspirations for creating the franchise “Cars” go beyond the look of the vehicles seen in the animation, as the locations in which Lightning McQueen lives his adventures also appeared through places that can be visited in person — if you have a passport and a ticket to the United States.
This is because, the director of the film, John Lassetera car addict and son of a former Chevrolet parts manager, had the idea for what would become the first film released in 2006, after a car trip with his family along Route 66, the most famous road in the world. world, as reported by The Los Angeles Times.
In this way, the Pixar creative team carried out research trips along the North American highway that connects the east and west of the United States, as it passes through states such as Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, having as a destination the city of Santa Monica, California, in order to collect as many references as possible.
With this in mind, RECREIO has put together 5 places from the film below that were inspired by real landscapes on Route 66; check out:
1. Cozy Cone Motel
Cozy Cone Motel is a Radiator Springs hotel. The place came to life in fiction by bringing elements from different places seen on the road, including the Wigwam Village in Holbrook, Arizona, a tent-shaped hotel; and the Blue Swallow Motel, a hotel with a neon sign that served as inspiration for Sally Carrera’s office.
2. Radiator Springs Landscape
Radiator Springs is beautiful! The mountain that is the city’s postcard is inspired by Tucumcari Mountain, located in New Mexico.
3. Lizzie’s Souvenir Shop
Lizzie’s souvenir shop, called Radiator Springs Curios, holds bumper stickers, old signs, snow globes and various other objects that bring back memories related to the tourist destination. The real-life equivalent of the establishment is the Hackberry General Store in Hackberry, Arizona, which is filled with collectibles.
4. Ramone’s Paint Shop
Ramone is an excellent car painter, which is why he owns a paint shop called “House of Body Art retail shop”. The location is an exact replica of the U-Drop Inn, a restored Art Deco gas station and restaurant in Shamrock, Texas.
5. Flo’s V8 Café
Flo’s V8 Café is where cars can secure their liter of oil. Hardcore fans can head to Midpoint Café in Adrian, Texas, a 1950s-style diner where you won’t be able to buy oil, but a good cup of coffee will do just fine.
Source: Recreio
