References to the film Cars are ubiquitous along Route 66, the work of Pixar studios having been strongly inspired by the history of the mythical route. And so, in the feature film, many will notice the wink and the nod given to the Wigwam Motels with the Cozy Cone Motel, where each room takes the shape of an orange cone.
The units of the Wigwam Motel are actually teepees. Each one comes equipped with two double beds, a television, air conditioning and a gloriously retro vibe. At the back, behind the main room, there’s also a toilet with a shower - so all the luxuries are covered.
The Holbrook site has 15 tents numbered from 1 to 16 (number 13 has been deliberately omitted).
The Wigwam Motel #6 was operated by Chester E. Lewis until the mid-1970s (although there is some dispute regarding this), at which point the appearance of Highway 40 diverted traffic from Route 66. Lewis sold the operation and it remained open, but only for the sale of gasoline.
Two years after Chester E. Lewis' death in 1986, his sons Clifton and Paul and his daughter Elinor decided to buy it back and renovate the facility, which reopened it in 1988. Since 2002, the village has been included in the National Register of Historic Places in the United States.
The cars at the Wigwam Motel are essentially decorative, but don't bother trying to make an offer on any of them to the owners of the place – they’re not for sale. If you’re passing by and want to snap a few shots, the best time to do so is between noon and 4:00 p.m., between departures and arrivals. With modern vehicles in the background, the effect is just not as interesting.