These 10 characters from Pixar’s Cars are perfectly cast

As we at Hagerty continue our efforts to save driving, we would be remiss if we didn’t point out other institutions doing the same good work. Thank you, Pixar and Disney. I’ve seen firsthand how the two are bestowing a love of the automobile to an entirely new generation of gearheads.  

About a year ago, my 3-year-old son would watch Frozen and Moana with fervor. Great movies though they are, I can only take so much. One particular dreary afternoon I could simply not “let it go” any longer and I put Cars on. Our lives would never be the same. His favorite thing to do is sprint around the house after dinner while my wife and I wave a checkered flag that he took upon himself to construct. Over the weekend I ripped apart a Brio train and donated the chassis to a Lightning McQueen Hot Wheels car so the little racer can compete against Shinkansen bullet trains in our living room.

Who is Lightning McQueen, you ask? He’s the main protagonist of the Cars series. While this is a children’s movie, it’s also a movie for car people, made by car people. The movies—of which there are currently three films, with another on the way—star folks like Paul Newman, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mario Andretti, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Jay Leno. What’s more, the majority of the characters in the movies are vehicles that look and sound like the real thing. If that makes perfect sense, you’re already a fan.

Lightning McQueen
Disney/Pixar

Here’s a list of the 10 best character car combinations from the first three Cars movies:

Tow Mater — 1955 Chevrolet Task-Force 3800

Mater from Cars
Tow Mater Disney/Pixar
1955 Chevrolet Task-Force 3800
1955 Chevrolet Task-Force 3800

Despite the, um, truckloads of chrome trim available to bling-out these ’50s trucks, the most down-to-earth character in the series doesn’t mind being a little rusty around the edges of his wrap-around windshield. 

Tex — 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

Tex 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
Tex
1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

What’s that they say about Texas—that everything’s bigger? Tex’s persona matches his extravagantly long Caddy wheelbase.

Doc Hudson — 1951 Hudson Hornet 

Doc Hudson
Doc Hudson
Doc Hudson — 1951 Hudson Hornet
Doc Hudson — 1951 Hudson Hornet Crown Star Images

You probably knew Doc’s character resided in the frame of a ’51 Hornet, but you may not have guessed this gruff character was, in fact, a fabulous Hudson Hornet.

The King — 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird

The King Plymouth Road Runner Superbird
The King Disney/Pixar
1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird
1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird Mecum

Who else to voice this fictitious racing legend than the King’s real-life counterpart, Richard Petty?

Sally Carrera — 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera

Sally 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera
Sally Carrera Disney/Pixar
2002 Porsche 911 Carrera
2002 Porsche 911 Carrera Thomas Doerfer

Both elegant and spunky, Sally and her flat six form the perfect combo of beauty and brawn to keep McQueen honest.

Ramone — 1959 Chevrolet Impala

Ramone 1959 Chevy Impala
Ramone Disney/Pixar
1959 Chevrolet Impala
1959 Chevrolet Impala order_242

Where would this movie be without a majestic pair of late ’50s tailfins and some pristine pinstriping? 

Luigi — 1960 Fiat 500 Nuova

Cars Luigi Fiat 500
Luigi Disney/Pixar
1960 Fiat 500 Nuova
1960 Fiat 500 Nuova RL GNZLZ

How could a car this cute possibly blend into the pavement? Luigi’s flair is not to be hidden.

Sarge — 1942 Willys MB ‘Jeep’

Willys MB 'Jeep" from Cars
Sarge Disney/Pixar
1942 Willys MB ‘Jeep’
1942 Willys MB ‘Jeep’ Steve Glover

Sturdy, American, and stubborn—Sarge could only be a Willys.

Fillmore — 1960 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus

Cars Volkswagen Bus
Fillmore Disney/Pixar
1960 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus
1960 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus Karen Roe

The oil company might have a grip on the government, but this incarnation of the VW Bus has got a grip on the hippie charm.

Ferrari F430 — voiced by Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher Ferrari F430
Ferrari F430 Disney/Pixar
2006 Ferrari F430 coupe red
2006 Ferrari F430 RM Sotheby's

The real Michael Schumacher is in this movie! His voice is, anyway. Hopefully nobody passed out.

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