Radiator Springs, Arizona

The Hackberry General Store, originally ran by Bob Waldmire (a story himself and the most probable inspiration of Fillmore the microbus) is just 25 miles East of Kingman on Route 66 and sports a 1957 red corvette. The paint job strongly resembles McQueen’s renaissance look as painted by Ramone (AKA Cruisen McQueen) with the white splash and white wall tires.
(Photo: John in his '57 Vette, by Herberta Schroeder )

Radiator Springs, Arizona – at least that’s a local consensus. You can’t help but see the influence in the landscape of Arizona’s Route 66. The caricature autos are, however, a little less obvious - and yet there again, is Arizona influence. Entertain this thought for just a moment and take a gander at the other scenery of this small stretch of blacktop:

The Sheriff keeps his nice shiny coat by keeping under this blue cover. Yes, I know the flick portrays him as a ’49 Mercury, but he is a ’54 Chevy and living his life ever watching the Mother Road from the front yard at KPD. 

Driving into town from the little side attraction that is Las Vegas, one may see the Hudson Hornet at Lotta Lus Café on the very tip of town.

Even the lovable tow truck. Cool Springs, to the west of Kingman by 20 miles for years had this little tow truck out front.

Another possible influence, is Silverman Towing, just 25 miles north of Kingman, seen often rolling down the highway. 

And lastly, have you taken a look at the Car’s Poster as it compares to the Kingman Poster (released circa 1990)? Courthouse at the end of a the street with characters from town filling in the scene, rock bluff in the background with the majestic mountains behind, aircraft in the air, Route 66 sign in the foreground, even down to the Italian cypresses - I rest my case!