The adventures of Lightning McQueen and his squad of cars continue as they zoom back to your theaters this July 26th in Cars 3! The second sequel of the 2006 Pixar animated film, our favorite red car is set to return to the race tracks to prove a new generation of race cars that he is still the best one out there.
If you’ve always been one of those who has always wanted to know how their favorite Cars characters came to be, then you’d be excited when you hear that Tow Mater, Sally Carrera, and the rest of the gang were actually inspired by real cars.
Here are some of the characters you will be seeing in the upcoming Cars film, as well as the actual cars they were modeled after:
1. Lightning McQueen
Modeled from: 2006 Handmade race car
The film's protagonist, Lightning McQueen, is inspired by different car models but resembles with the Chevy Corvette C6. Being the race car that he is, he loves speed, and when he's not racing, you'll find him with Mater.
2. Sally Carrera
Modeled from: 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera
Sally Carrera, a baby blue car, is modeled after the 2002 version of the car above. She lives in the small town of Radiator Springs and is a town attorney who also runs the Cozy Cone.
3. Luigi
Modeled from: 1959 Fiat 500
Although the Fiat 500 above is the latest version of the model, it's still reminiscent of the classic 1959 version that Luigi's design is from. Luigi runs the Casa Della Tires which changes the tires of race cars like Lightning McQueen.
4. Fillmore
Modeled from: 1960 Volkswagen Bus
Radiator Springs' resident hippie, Fillmore advocates clean fuels. He is fashioned after a 1960 VW Buss, and he brews his own organic fuel in his "geometric dome."
5. Mater
Modeled from: 1951 International Harvester L-170 and Haulital Hook'em
Mater, the rustiest tow truck in Radiator Springs, is Lightning McQueen's best friend. He helps out stranded cars and is great at driving backward as long as he knows where he was at.
6. Doc Hudson
Modelled from: 1951 Hudson Hornet
Modelled after the Hudson Hornet, Doc is the doctor running Radiator Springs' medical clinic. As he used to be Fabuous Hudson Hornet, he now teaches race cars like Lightning to race smart.
Disney Pixar's Cars 3 opens in cinemas nationwide on July 26.
