Originally Posted By markedward There is a website from an automotive point of view that explains what most of the cars in Cars are. I've never had luck posting links here, so I'm sure you'll have to cut and paste to make it work, but here it is: <a href="http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4024001" target="_blank">http://autos.msn.com/advice/ar ticle.aspx?contentid=4024001</a> Some of the cars are unique creations inspired by a type of car but not a particular model - like Lightning and Chick, some are more or less inspired by something - like Mater being pretty much, but unofficially, a 1950s Chevy pickup, and some are obsolutely a particular car - Sally is a 2002 Porsche 911 and Ramone is a 1959 Chevrolet Impala. It's pretty interesting if you're into Cars and or cars. The only description I take issue with is Flo, which is described as a 1950s car of no particular model. While that's technically true, Flo has a whole lot of features that connect her to a 50s Ford Thunderbird. She's just "improved" - the spare tire is horizontal rather than vertical and the front end is curved compared to a, by modern standards, very boxy grill on the Thunderbird. But otherwise, she's a Thunderbird. Looking forward to the DVD.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Flo is identified in most publicity as a 1957 Motorama show car, and has a license plate plaque that says "1957 Motorama. Motorama cars were fantasy vehicles used by GM (not Ford, maker of the Thunderbird) to entice the public to come and look at their new models. Flo really looks only vaguely like a Thunderbird. (At least in the sense that she has four tires and a windshield!) Here's Flo: <a href="http://z.about.com/d/movies/1/0/h/g/8/cars04100601.jpg" target="_blank">http://z.about.com/d/movies/1/ 0/h/g/8/cars04100601.jpg</a> Here's a 1957 T-Bird: <a href="http://www.gwcmodela.com/gbThunderbird010105small.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.gwcmodela.com/gbThu nderbird010105small.jpg</a> Here's the larger 1963 T-Bird: <a href="http://www.intl-tbirdclub.com/history/captureD33.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.intl-tbirdclub.com/ history/captureD33.jpg</a> And here's a fascinating article about the Motorama. (Flo would be right at home here): <a href="http://www.carofthecentury.com/kibitzer.htm" target="_blank">http://www.carofthecentury.com /kibitzer.htm</a>
Originally Posted By trekkeruss On (a cached) Wikipedia someone wrote: Flo appears to be inspired by three early- to mid-fifties show cars: the 1951 Buick LeSabre (front-end lines, the basic hood shape, lights mounted near the corners, and front-quarter trim), the 1951 Buick XP-300 (side trim), and the 1956/57 Chrysler Dart (cockpit, deck lid, and tailfins).
Originally Posted By markedward <Flo really looks only vaguely like a Thunderbird.> You know the story of the blind men touching different parts of an elephant and having completely different ideas of what it is? I saw the fins, and especially the spare tire, and I saw a match. And it seems like pictures of 50s T-Birds are always Flo's color, including the one DlandDug linked to. Whatever she is, I think Flo is a very cool looking creation - one Happy Meal toy I won't quietly toss in the trash one day (sorry, Foxy Loxy). Thanks for the info, guys. Oh, there's one more element of Flo. Was anyone else reminded of Aretha Franklin's coffee shop character in The Blues Brothers? Except Flo's man stayed. If Flo has a celebrity playlist on iTunes (some of the characters do), I bet I'd like her taste in music.
