The character Mater was mostly inspired by an old, rusty tow truck seen on a vacant lot in Galena, KS.,
a small community which also was "a tremendous influence for the town of Radiator Springs in the movie" according to John Lasseter - director of Pixar's "Cars" Movie!
Rock is being placed in the 60' deep crater behind the Green Parrot.
Below is the old Kan-O-Tex station on Route 66 in Galena where "Cars" director John Lassiter and Pixar's Joe Ranft saw the old, rusty boom truck that inspired the "Tow Mater" character. Click the logo below to see the restored building.
Galena's stretch of Route 66 still has lots of old, deserted buildings, some of which were partial inspirations for the fictional town of "Radiator Springs" in the movie "Cars".
The "Springs" part may have come from the nearby Kansas town of "Baxter Springs" which is also on Route 66.
Below: The Galena Railroad museum has a fantastic amount of Route 66 related items!
Galena is a prime example of a mining boom town gone bust, and it still shows 75 years later. It's future may well depend on it's ability to restore, preserve and promote it's Route 66 Heritage.
For promotional purposes, 3 full-sized copies were made of each of the main Characters in the movie "Cars"!
Ckeck-out how high the original ceilings were. The "newer" apartment's interior walls and lower ceilings were wood-framed later.
The old Galena movie theater
has seen better days.
Restoration plans for this structure nearly completed, and include a Route 66 display, photos, a Gift Shop, Snack Bar and the old boom truck that inspired the Tow Mater character!
This guy built the full-sized models! >
Galena's old "Boom" truck discovered in field, confirmed as the inspiration for the Mater character in "CARS"!
From Michael Wallis, Author of "Route 66: The Mother Road:
"The truck is definitely Mater. No doubt about it.Tell 'em you got the word straight from The Sheriff. Keep me posted please". Michael
(Obtained By Ron Warnick-Route 66 News)
Larry Courtney, Galena Businessman
Rod Harsh, Route 66 Tv Online
After a 3-month search, Rod Harsh, owner of Route 66 Tv Online, finally helped locate the old boom truck that sat at an abandoned gas station for many years. According to an article in the summer edition of Route 66 Magazine, the truck was spotted in Galena, KS. by author Michael Wallis and "Cars" director John Lasseter, who were looking for "character inspirations" during a Route 66 tour in 2001. The boom truck became the inspiration for the most popular character in the movie, "Tow Mater", voiced by Larry the Cable Guy.
When Rod learned that the closed filling station had been purchased, he enlisted the aid of the new gas station owner, Larry Courtney (Galena businessman) and his employee, Charley McCumbera, who were unaware of the truck's connection to the Pixar movie. In short order, the 1951 International truck was found in a farm field and purchased by Mr. Courtney. He has now placed the truck on display at the old Kan-O-Tex filling station the Four Women on the Route are restoring, located at North Main and Route 66 in Galena.
According to Mr. Harsh, "I am glad to see that the truck will be displayed where it was originally seen by the Pixar tour group, and I'm sure it will become a very popular Route 66 attraction that should benefit the whole community of Galena."
A public Open House (and Route 66 80th. Birthday party) was held Saturday, November 11th. at the filling station where the truck was on display along with classic cars for public viewing. The truck was also named "Tow Tater" by the winner of a Galena elementary school contest and cake cutting followed. The newly-refurbished Kan-O-Tex filling station is now open, and features Route 66 gifts, a snack bar, art works, photo displays and more. (CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIPS)
For additional Media information, please contact Rod Harsh,
Press Relations at (417) 624-8270 Joplin, MO.
Photos on this page have been optimized. Hi-Res photos and B-Roll digital video are available on request.
Credit photos to: Route 66 Tv Online.com
The truck is a 1951 International L-170 Series.
Plans are to keep the truck in the same condition when first seen in 2001.
The aluminum beer keg was used as a gas tank.
This photo of Pixar's Joe Ranft studying the old tow truck was taken in 2001. It disappeared shortly thereafter. Sadly, Joe died in an accident in 2005.
VISIT 66.com van on North Main St. looking South
This rare, original Will Rogers Highway plaque is in the new Route 66 City Park on Main Street that comemorates Will Rogers.
Many of Galena's mining era downtown buildings were built in the late 1800's and feature ornate trim and brickwork.
Above: Photo of Old 66 approaching Galena from the east. This area around Galena looks more like one would find in America's Southwest, and due to years of mining activity, it is locally called "Hells Half Acre".
Left: This long, blue and skinny device is a 1918 "Auto Ambulance"! Since there were few tow trucks in those days, this device was placed under the rear axle of a motorcar, the boom lowered (lifting the rear of the disabled car) and hitched to any other vehicle with a "hitch", then towed to a garage. This device is on display at the museum.
Below: Route 66 looking east from Galena's Front Street bridge
Click on the cake to see more detailed information about the Anniversary Party in Galena
"Tow Tater" on display at
Nov. 11th. 66 Anniv. Party.
CLICK LOGO TO SEE THE NEWLY RESTORED FILLING STATION
Galena may keep 66 landmark 10-1-06
The town of Galena, KS. sits on top of miles of long-abandoned mine shafts and tunnels, and one gave way causing the Green Parrot Bar (on Route 66) to loose part of its rear apartments wall to a large sinkhole.
To prevent future collapses, 300 wells will be drilled into old mines and damp clay will pumped in to fill and seal hollow areas. Galena was named after the type of lead ore that was mined in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
Galena's Police Chief Larry Delmont stated that the Green Parrot was built in 1892 on top of a sealed mine shaft, more specifically...the exact spot being below the pool tables.
UPDATE: Summer '07:
Bad news. State and local officials announced that
the sinkhole was not stabilized and the Green Parrot
