The 2006 animated film “Cars” could have been the introduction of cars for younger kids at that time. That could still be true today, as the movie can still be availed through various media, including online streaming and Blu-ray.
Cars tells us the story and adventures of Lightning McQueen. He is a 2006 custom-built stock car competing in the Piston Cup, which is essentially an equivalent of the real-world NASCAR but with some modifications. The success of the 2006 film led to Cars 2 in 2011, which brought Lightning to the world stage. Cars 3 followed in 2017, with an aging Lightning being outrun by hybrid race cars.
The first film was considered the most compelling. On his way to the last race of the Piston Cup, Lightning was forced to a detour at Radiator Springs. Here, he learned the value of humility and friendship, meeting characters such as Tow Mater, Doc "The Fabulous" Hudson Hornet, as well as Sally Carrera.
Interestingly, Porsche has built a unique car to the image of Sally – a real-world Sally Carrera 911 that can be driven legally on the road. Porsche didn’t build this car for some whims, but for some heart-touching reasons.
Who Is Sally Carrera?
Just like what her name says, Sally is based on a light blue 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera (996 generation). Featuring high wheels and bluish eyes, Sally serves as the town attorney of Radiator Springs and the proprietor of Radiator Springs' Cozy Cone and Wheel Wagon Motels. As the story progresses, they fell in love with each other. She became Lightning’s girlfriend at the end of the first film.
During the development of the film, Sally was originally intended to be a Ford Mustang, but she became a Porsche because the 911’s grille looks more ladylike. Porsche Cars North America’s Bob Carson wanted her to be based on a modern Porsche.
As a 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera, Sally is a capable sports car. Thanks to her 3.6-liter six-cylinder delivering 320 hp to the rear wheels, Sally can zoom from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 177 mph. She may not be as fast or as quick as Lightning, but she has headlights.
Wearing Lightyear tires and a license plate that reads "301PCE," Sally is described as dedicated, always willing to help and make a difference.
Pixar Built A Sally For Marketing Purposes
When the production for the Cars wrapped up, Pixar created a life-size model of Sally just for marketing purposes. Within just seven months, Pixar worked meticulously on a 2022 Porsche 911 (996). They implemented various modifications to make it look like the film’s Sally, thereby keeping the comic style.
For instance, Pixar reduced the wheelbase by seven inches and raised the roof by more than three inches. Pixar also rebuilt a number of parts to retain the sports car’s proportions, such as its doors, wings, glasses, headlights, door entry guard, and bumper.
Pixar also stuck a clear film, eyes, and eyelids to the windshield, which was sitting in a more upright position. They added tinted windows made of acrylic glass at the sides and remodeled the bumper was into a mouth, complete with a set of teeth.
This Sally replica is now on display at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Porsche And Pixar Are Building A New Sally
While Pixar released Cars in 2006, Sally is now actually 20 years (2002 model year). To mark her anniversary of Sally, a small team from Pixar Animation Studios led by Cars Production Designer Bob Pauley and Creative Director Jay Ward collaborated with Style Porsche in Weissach and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur in Stuttgart to create a real-life replica.
This time, the real-life replica won’t be just a copy of Sally. It will be a brand new, street legal Porsche 911 that takes inspiration from Sally Carrera. Sketches have been drawn and work is currently ongoing, as by Pauley and Ward at the 2022 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas.
Porsche and Pixar have released no detail yet on the upcoming Sally Carrera 911, which is being built at Zuffenhausen. However, they have a reason why they are building this unique car.
Sally Heads To Auction To Help Ukrainian Refugees
Once built, the new Porsche Sally Carrera 911 will be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s. It will be accompanied by a one-off timepiece from Porsche Design. In line with Sally’s dedicated and helpful character in Cars, all proceeds of the auction will be donated to Girls Inc. as well as the USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
Proceeds from the charity auction should help Girls Inc. finance its education programs for young girls in the United States. Proceeds should also help USA for UNHCR to aid refugee families -- predominately women and children -- fleeing Ukraine. Many of these young Ukrainians are unaccompanied children and separated from their parents.
Anne-Marie Grey, Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR, noted there is reason to hope with the critical support of companies who have stepped up to help ensure safety and protection of these refugees in months to come.
Porsche’s latest initiative would help supplement existing donations. In fact, Porsche recently EUR1 million to provide emergency aid to those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Source: Porsche, Disney, MSN Autos