Porsche, renowned for its legacy of automotive excellence, has teamed up with Pixar Animation Studios, the creative minds behind the beloved Cars franchise, to bring a cinematic icon into the real world. The result is the “911 Sally Special,” a unique Porsche inspired by Sally Carrera, the fan-favorite 911 from Disney and Pixar’s Cars. This isn’t just any car; it’s a one-of-a-kind creation, marking Pixar’s first foray into a project of this kind, and it’s destined for charity.
Dr. Sebastian Rudolph, Vice President Communications, Sustainability and Politics at Porsche AG, perfectly captured the essence of this collaboration: “Vehicles need a face and a story. And Pixar’s film Cars did just that, by bringing them to life on the big screen. The story conveys values such as friendship, love and mutual support – and in the middle of it all is a Porsche: ‘Sally Carrera.’ Together with Pixar we have brought the spirit of Sally to life in a new way, not on the screen, but off the screen. With this one-off street legal 911, the Sally Special, which we are auctioning for charity, we want to help people who urgently need support, quite in keeping with the spirit of the film character.” This sentiment highlights the deeper meaning behind the “Sally Cars” project – it’s about bringing heartwarming stories and real-world impact together.
The 911 Sally Special, a tangible embodiment of Sally Carrera, was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week, on Saturday, August 20. Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, Inc., shared his personal connection to the project: “My own daughters grew up watching Sally, and so it’s a special moment to be working so closely with Pixar on a project that has meaning and will directly help a new generation of children to both realize their potential and, in the case of the UNHCR, find safety and start new lives.” This personal touch underscores the emotional resonance of Sally Cars and its charitable mission.
Bringing Sally Cars from Screen to Street: A Unique Collaboration
The journey to create the 911 Sally Special began in November 2021, reuniting key members of the original Cars team. This included Jay Ward, Creative Director of Franchise at Pixar Animation Studios, and Bob Pauley, Production Designer for Cars, who first sketched Sally two decades prior. They joined forces with Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur’s Sonderwunsch team, Style Porsche designers, and Porsche Cars North America, embarking on a ten-month endeavor to craft this singular “sally cars” masterpiece.
Jay Ward of Pixar described the creative process: “The 911 Sally Special has been so much fun to create and is truly a first for us and for Porsche. We decided early on that we wanted to make a drivable 911, inspired by, but not a direct copy of Sally Carrera. After all, she loved to drive – and this helped guide us. If Sally Carrera was built today in life-size, for the road, what would she look like?” This question became the driving force behind the design, ensuring the “sally cars” spirit was authentically translated into a real vehicle.
Design Details that Define the Sally Special
Boris Apenbrink, Director Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Vehicles, elaborated on the meticulous transformation: “The Sally Special is based on the fastest, most engaging and agile 911 Carrera there is – the 473 hp 911 Carrera GTS – equipped with a manual gearbox to appeal to those who love driving, just like Sally Carrera. The changes to transform it into the Sally Special proved to be extensive. This was one of the most intense, emotional and detailed Sonderwunsch projects our team has ever worked on.” The dedication to detail is evident in every aspect of this “sally cars” creation.
Sally Blue Metallic: A Color as Unique as Sally Herself
A standout feature is the “Sally Blue Metallic” paint, a new and exclusive color developed specifically for this project. Inspired directly by Sally Carrera, this hue graces much of the car’s exterior, requiring countless handcrafted adjustments to achieve perfect application. Even Sally’s signature pinstripe tattoo was translated into a real-world detail, posing a unique design challenge that the team expertly overcame, adding another layer of authenticity to these “sally cars”.
Turbo-Inspired Wheels: A Nod to Porsche Heritage
The wheels, inspired by the “Turbo” wheels seen on Sally Carrera in Cars, were reimagined by Style Porsche designers. Subtly modified to fit the 20/21-inch diameter of current 911 models, they remain faithful to the Type 996 Porsche, bridging the gap between cinematic inspiration and modern automotive engineering, making these “sally cars” wheels truly special.
Interior Elegance: Capturing Sally’s Spirit Inside
Porsche designer Daniela Milošević led the interior design, working closely with Pixar to refine every surface. “We had a completely blank canvas to work from, which was great! In the movie, Sally was a former-lawyer from California who appreciated style and elegance. But she was also down to earth and had a sense of fun,” Milošević explained. The interior of these “sally cars” reflects this duality, blending sophistication with playful details.
The Sally Blue Metallic theme extends inside, subtly accentuating the Chalk leather and Speed Blue stitching. Special cloth trim with woven blue highlights was created exclusively for this car. Hidden “nods to the movie Cars, and to Sally Carrera herself” are sprinkled throughout, promising delightful discoveries for the lucky owner of these “sally cars”.
Auction for a Cause: Supporting Girls Inc. and UNHCR
The auction of the 911 Sally Special by RM Sotheby’s included a wealth of bespoke, often handmade items. A unique Porsche Design timepiece, with a Sally Blue Metallic ring and Chalk leather strap, was created exclusively for this event. Limited-edition numbered 001/001, it mirrors the car’s meticulous detail and is powered by a COSC-certified Porsche Design chronograph caliber.
The winning bidder also received a second set of “Carrera Exclusive Design” wheels with a custom rack, a bespoke indoor car cover, original color molds, show plates, a design and development book with original sketches, and more. Every element of the “sally cars” package was crafted to be as special as the car itself.
100% of the auction proceeds were donated to two charities: Girls Inc., empowering young girls to be strong, smart, and bold, and USA for UNHCR, supporting refugees displaced by the war in Ukraine, particularly women and children. Stephanie J. Hull, Ph.D., President and CEO of Girls Inc., expressed gratitude: “We are grateful to Porsche and to Pixar for their commitment to this project, which will directly benefit our work. The character of Sally, and what she represents, is a great role model for young girls and it is fitting that she should be helping a new generation achieve their dreams.” Anne-Marie Grey, Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR, also highlighted the impact: “But there is reason to hope with the critical support of companies like Porsche and Pixar who have generously stepped up to help ensure their safety and protection in months to come.”
Porsche Sonderwunsch: The Art of Individualization
The 911 Sally Special exemplifies Porsche’s Sonderwunsch program, which revives the tradition of creating unique, personalized sports cars. This program offers various levels of customization, from Factory Commissioning for color and material choices during production, to Factory Re-Commissioning and Factory One-Off services for existing vehicles. The Factory One-Off service, as demonstrated by these “sally cars”, represents the pinnacle of personalization, involving systematic technical development to create truly bespoke automobiles.
Podcast Insights: The Story Behind Sally Cars
For a deeper dive into the creation of Sally Cars, The Porsche Podcast featured Pixar’s Bob Pauley and Jay Ward. They discussed the collaboration’s origins and the inspiration behind the Cars characters. This podcast offers further insights into the passion and creativity that fueled the 911 Sally Special project.
The Porsche 911 Sally Special is more than just a car; it’s a symbol of collaboration, creativity, and generosity. These “sally cars”, born from the imagination of Pixar and the engineering prowess of Porsche, have captured hearts and raised funds for important causes, proving that cars can indeed have a face, a story, and a profound impact.
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