The animated film “Cars” brought vehicles to life, and Sally Carrera, the Porsche 911 character, captured hearts worldwide. Now, stepping off the screen and onto the road, is the one-of-a-kind Porsche 911 Sally Special. This unique car isn’t just inspired by Sally From Cars; it embodies her spirit and is destined for a good cause. This article delves into the fascinating story of how Porsche and Pixar collaborated to create this special vehicle, and how it’s giving back to those in need.
From Pixar Animation to Reality: The 911 Sally Special Project
Dr. Sebastian Rudolph, Vice President Communications, Sustainability and Politics at Porsche AG, perfectly encapsulates the essence of this project: “Vehicles need a face and a story.” Pixar’s “Cars” movie masterfully achieved this, imbuing automobiles with personality and emotion. At the heart of this animated world is Sally Carrera, a character that embodies friendship, love, and support – values that resonate deeply. Porsche, in collaboration with Pixar, decided to bring Sally’s spirit into the real world, not just as a replica, but as a fully functional, street-legal 911. The “Sally Special” was born, a project with a charitable mission at its core.
The journey began in November 2021, uniting the original “Cars” team responsible for Sally Carrera’s creation over two decades prior. This dream team included Jay Ward, Creative Director of Franchise at Pixar Animation Studios, and Bob Pauley, the Production Designer who first sketched Sally for the movie. Porsche’s Sonderwunsch team from Exclusive Manufaktur in Stuttgart and designers from Style Porsche in Weissach joined forces with them. For ten months, this dedicated group worked tirelessly to craft a truly unique factory one-off vehicle, a testament to the enduring appeal of Sally from Cars.
Designing a Real-World Sally Carrera: More Than Just a Copy
Jay Ward from Pixar emphasizes that the goal wasn’t to create a mere copy of Sally Carrera but to capture her essence in a modern, drivable Porsche 911. “We decided early on that we wanted to create a completely drivable 911 – inspired by Sally Carrera, but just not an exact copy.” The question they posed was: “if Sally were built today as a road-approved model, what would she look like?” This approach ensured that the 911 Sally Special would be a genuine Porsche, infused with the charm and character of Sally from Cars.
Boris Apenbrink, Director Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur vehicles, explains that the 911 Sally Special is based on the 911 Carrera GTS, known for its speed and agility. It features a manual gearbox, a nod to Sally’s love for driving. The customization went deep, with the car painted in a bespoke “Sallybluemetallic,” a color mixed and applied by hand specifically for this project. Even Sally’s iconic tattoo was reimagined as a subtle design element, showcasing the meticulous detail poured into this special Porsche inspired by Sally from Cars.
Sally’s Signature Touches: Wheels, Interior, and Details
The Turbo-look rims, a defining feature of Sally Carrera from Cars, were reinterpreted for the 911 Sally Special. Porsche designers in Weissach adapted the ‘five-arm design’ rim to fit the 20/21-inch wheel dimensions of the current 911 generation, creating a visual bridge to the 911 Type 996, Sally’s original model in the movie.
Daniela Milošević, Porsche interior designer, collaborated with Pixar to develop the Sallybluemetallic color and the car’s interior. Inspired by Sally’s California lawyer background, her style, elegance, and down-to-earth personality, Milošević aimed to create an interior that was both special and practical. The Sallybluemetallic accents continue inside, providing pops of color and subtle details. A custom Pepita houndstooth fabric upholstery in three colors, combined with chalk-colored leather and Speed Blue stitching, adds a unique touch, evoking memories of Sally Carrera and the “Cars” movie.
Auctioning a Dream for Charity: Supporting Girls Inc. and UNHCR
The 911 Sally Special, a real-world embodiment of Sally from Cars, was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week in California on August 20, 2022. The proceeds from this auction are being donated to two charities: Girls Inc., benefiting young women, and USA for UNHCR, supporting refugees from Ukraine.
Stephanie J. Hull, Ph.D., Girls Inc. President & CEO, expressed gratitude, noting Sally Carrera’s character as “a great role model for young girls.” Anne-Marie Grey, Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR, highlighted the critical support from Porsche and Pixar in helping Ukrainian refugees, especially women and children.
More Than Just a Car: A Chronograph and Unique Collectibles
Beyond the 911 Sally Special itself, the auction included a unique Porsche Design chronograph, also designed with Pixar. Featuring Sallybluemetallic accents and a chalk-colored leather strap, this timepiece mirrors the car’s design. The auction lot further included a special indoor car cover, a wheel rack with extra Carrera Exclusive Design wheels, a book documenting the car’s development, and original designer drawings.
The 911 Sally Special Chronograph, powered by a COSC-certified Porsche Design WERK 01.100 movement, was crafted at Porsche’s watchmaking facility in Switzerland. These additional items enhance the collectibility and uniqueness of this offering, making it a truly special tribute to Sally from Cars and a significant contribution to charity.
A Lasting Legacy of Sally Carrera
The Porsche 911 Sally Special stands as a remarkable achievement, bringing the beloved Sally from Cars into tangible form. It represents a successful collaboration between Porsche and Pixar, driven by passion, creativity, and a desire to give back. This one-off Porsche is more than just a car; it’s a symbol of friendship, generosity, and the enduring magic of storytelling, all inspired by the unforgettable character, Sally Carrera.
