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Route 66: The Vehicle that Inspired the Film Cars

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Daniel Rufiange
Galena always feels deserted, which kind of reflects what has become of many municipalities along Route 66
Galena, Kansas
Galena, Kansas | Photo: D.Rufiange

By the way, if you were wondering about the municipality of Galena, Kansas, this is what the boulevard along Route 66 looks like. The dusty-town feel of the place perfectly represents the spirit of the film.

1949 Plymouth Special DeLuxe
1949 Plymouth Special DeLuxe | Photo: D.Rufiange

Clearly, 1949 is the year of choice around this place. In front of the garage paying homage to the Cars movie sits an abandoned car that seems to want only one thing, to join its contemporaries. The main thought traveling my mind, however, was often do you see a classic car of this quality being left to its own devices like this on the side of the road? Incredible, really.

A mural in Galena
A mural in Galena | Photo: D.Rufiange

As I was leaving the town of Galena, I spotted a mural in the corner of my eye. I grabbed my camera on the fly and, keeping my eyes on the road, snapped a series of shots hoping to get an acceptable result. Here’s the best one.

At the heart of this mural, unsurprisingly, is the town’s star attraction, the garage that pays tribute to the film Cars. If you ever drive along Route 66, the place is a must-see - ideally when the friendly owners are present.

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See also: Route 66 with Nissan, Day Three: From Tulsa, OK to Amarillo, TX

See also: Route 66 With Nissan, Day Four: From Amarillo, TX to Albuquerque, NM

See also: Route 66 With Nissan, Day Five: From Albuquerque, NM to Flagstaff, AZ

See also: Route 66 With Nissan, Day Six: From Flagstaff, AZ to Needles, CA

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See also: Route 66: A Guy Thing or an Ideal Family Road Trip?

 

Daniel Rufiange
Daniel Rufiange
Automotive expert
  • Over 17 years' experience as an automotive journalist
  • More than 75 test drives in the past year
  • Participation in over 250 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists