It’s unusual for an animated film to become reality, but that’s about to happen as a result of a partnership between Pixar Animation Studios and Porsche. To commemorate the upcoming 20th anniversary of the animated film “Cars,” the companies are creating a real-life Sally Carrera, a 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera, from the film. The car will be auctioned off for charity later this year.
The project is led by Pixar’s Production Designer, Bob Pauley, and Creative Director, Jay Ward working with Style Porsche in Weissach, and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur in Stuttgart. The project was first revealed by revealed by Jay Ward and Bob Pauley at the 2022 South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. The festival runs through March 20th.
Why Sally Carrera?
In the film, “Cars,” Sally is a 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera who moves to the small town of Radiator Springs from California after too much of life in the fast lane. Once there, she becomes the town attorney who helps get the town back on the map. In ensuing “Cars” sequals, Sally and Lightning McQueen, the series’ NASCAR obsessed lead character, fall in love.
“The whole project began with the premise that Sally’s character was devoted to helping others,” said Jay Ward, Creative Director of Franchise at Pixar Animation Studios. “We are, for the first time ever, going to build a brand new, street legal Porsche 911 inspired by the special character we created – Sally Carrera. Only one will ever be made. It will be auctioned with all proceeds specifically aimed to help children, supporting education programs for young girls in the U.S. through Girls Inc.
Porsche executives were equally enthused about the project and its impact.
“My own daughters grew up watching Sally, and it’s wonderful that we can mark a special anniversary with something meaningful that will help others,” said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO, Porsche Cars North America. “Like Sally, its purpose is to help others – and that makes it extra special.”
Helping those hurt by Russian aggression
The special build is designed to help refugee families fleeing Ukraine, predominately women and children.
“The majority of those forced to flee Ukraine are women and children, among them unaccompanied children and those separated from their parents,” said Anne-Marie Grey, Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR. “But there is reason to hope with the critical support of companies like Porsche and Pixar Animation Studios who have generously stepped up to help ensure their safety and protection.”
This latest project is in addition to Porsche million-euro donation to deliver emergency aid for those affected by the crisis in Ukraine.
Cars and cartoons have a long history
But Sally Carrera is not the first vehicle to get a life-size double. At the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Pixar’s chief creative officer John Lasseter wheeled out a life-size Lightning McQueen and talked about the then-upcoming film, “Cars 3.”
Of course, animated cartoons about cars are nothing new. They were occasionally the subject of Hollywood cartoons, such as the 1950 Disney short “Motor Mania,” starring Goofy as a motorist whose docile personality transforms once behind the wheel. There’s also the 1951 MGM cartoon, “Car of Tomorrow,” which humorously forecasts new automobile models and directed by Tex Avery, who created Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Droopy Dog.
Television networks also used cars as subject matter for their Saturday morning cartoons aimed at children. Some, like Hanna-Barbera’s Speed Buggy from 1973, were takeoffs on real cars. In this case, the sputtering anthropomorphic dune buggy named Speed Buggy, who typically spoke such phrases as “Roger-Dodger!” and “vroom-a-zoom-zoom,” was based on a Meyers Manx. Other shows were less creative. In 1969, Mattel backed a Saturday morning TV show based on their toys for ABC. But the Federal Communication Commission deemed it a 30-minute commercial, not a TV show, and it was removed from the air. By the 1980s, such rules were abolished.
Work has begun
Porsche says that work on the car is proceeding with Pixar working with Style Porsche in Weissach and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur in Zuffenhausen. The finished vehicle will be inspired by Sally, but will not be a carbon copy, Porsche said.
The one-off 911 will wear the same blue paint as its pixel-based inspiration, and wear Sally’s tattoo, of course. It will come with blue accents and custom side sills. The buyer will also get a one-off watch, fitted luggage, a map of Radiator Springs and books detailing the design process.
The car is being built in Zuffenhausen and auctioned by RM Sotheby’s. Porsche says those interested should contact RM Sothebys. An auction date has not been announced, and more information about the car will be released later this year.
Instead of an auction where only the super rich can participate, they should do a lottery where anyone can participate and win. I’m guessing they could get higher revenues, in addition.