Porsche. Rimes with Power and of course, only a real man can tame it. Especially if we’re talking early 911’s. But why then, did Disney choose a Porsche 911 of the later 996 variant for the leading female role in their animated movie “Cars”?
Any reasonably loyal ViaRETRO reader will of course already know that I thoroughly love the Porsche 911. Any early longhood and the G-series equally. Yes thank you, I’ll have either. 964? Well, if I can’t have a longhood or a G-series. 993? A fabulous sportscar too, no doubt. In fact, while I would still prefer an earlier 911, I recently confessed just how much a stunning 993 Turbo impressed me during a test drive. But the 996? Hmmm… just hold your horses good Sir. Isn’t it a little too feminine?
Surely I’m not the only one to feel this way? If I were, Disney wouldn’t have chosen the 996 as the only modern car to have a role in their movie “Cars” – and as the lead female character, no less. Her name is Sally Carrera and she is a 2002 Porsche 911. So a 996, of course. All of which translates into 320hp and a not unsubstantial 285 km/h or 178 mph – uhmm… and feminine curves. Initially I struggled a little with all of this until I read somewhere that during Disney’s initial research, Sally was intended to be a Ford Mustang. Clearly, that would have never worked! Just imagine Lightning McQueen falling in love with proper V8 American classic. I think not…
Pictures courtesy of: Disney
Instead, Disney chose to doom the 996’s image and reputation. I’ve never quite been able to pinpoint why I felt so strongly in my preference for the earlier 911s. The easy answer was perhaps simply that the earlier cars – obviously – were older. Though there had to be more to it… And that’s when I suddenly remembered Sally Carrera, and not least the story of how Disney chose the 996 over a Mustang because of its feminine curves. There you have it – clearly, that (and Sally’s rather toe-cringing pinstripe under her rear spoiler) must be the explanation.
I’m no longer entirely sure? Am I just a hopeless romantic with a profound passion for old cars? I certainly hold a lot of both admiration and sympathy for Doc Hudson in the movie. The charismatic Luigi and the talented Guido make me smile too. Though Mater is probably just a bit too rusty for my liking, Flo just isn’t my type, and Lightning McQueen – well, he has stickers as headlights…
In the meantime though, Sally Carrera has become a youngtimer. So maybe she’s alright anyway? Maybe.
Have I gone too far this time? Should we immediately ban all talk of 15 – 20 year old Porsches on ViaRETRO? Should we in the future always stick to Porsches which have carpet on their lower doorcards? Let us know what you think and whether Sally Carrera might have influenced your perception of the 996 too? Or are there other reasons why we prefer the older models?
