Porsche’s real life Sally Carrera 911 just headed to the US for a year of adventures with Lightning McQueen
Published on Feb 01, 2026 at 6:44 PM (UTC+4)
by Grace Donohoe
Last updated on Jan 30, 2026 at 10:12 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Germany’s Porsche Museum just said goodbye to its iconic Sally Carrera 911 as the car embarks on a trans-Atlantic adventure.
The car first hit the scene as a collaboration between Pixar and Porsche and stole gearheads’ hearts.
As you can imagine, the car had to undergo extensive modifications to take it from 1998 into the 21st century, and begin life as a caroon character.
The 1998 911 features a six-cylinder engine with a power output of 300hp and can reach speeds of 174mph (280km/h), as well as playing the part of Sally impeccably well.
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Meet the real Porsche Sally Carrera 911
Cast your mind back to 2006, when the Cars film first came out, and we all witnessed the love story between Lightning McQueen and Sally Carrera.
Sally Carrera became an iconic household name, and a real-life Sally Porsche 911 was modified to retain the charm.
According to the manufacturer, the Sally Carrera 911 was part of a collaboration between Porsche and Pixar.
The car was subsequently sold at Monterey Car Week via auction for a mighty $3.6 million, with proceeds being donated to Girls Inc. and USA for UNHCR charities.
“We had great fun creating 911 Sally Special, and it’s the first time we’ve worked on a project of this kind.
“We decided early on that we wanted to create a completely drivable 911 – inspired by Sally Carrera, but just not an exact copy,” Creative Director of Franchise of Pixar Animation Studios, Jay Ward, said.
The Sally Carrera 911 underwent a major overhaul to keep the life-size car looking pristine, and the effort paid off.
From a raised roof to a reduced wheel base, the car was modified with precision, including being finished in a special paint called Sallybluemetallic.
Elements, including the headlights, bumper, wings, and doors, were all rebuilt, too, but that isn’t even the best bit.
Despite the extensive modifications, the Porsche 911 can still be driven, which leads us on to the bit that you’re all begging to know.
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Auf Wiedersehen Sally, Hello Lightning McQueen
In an exciting turn of events, Sally Carrera has bade Germany a farewell and has embarked on a year-long trip to the United States.
Her plans? Well, Sally is set to reunite with Lightning McQueen, but just like us, she had some pre-vacation preparations to undergo.
According to the Porsche Museum, the car underwent a quick refresh, but it was carried out by a legend.
Two-time Le Mans champion Timo Bernhard spent the day as an intern at the Museum to get some experience.
So, even though Sally is off on her adventures, don’t fear, as the Porsche Museum said they may provide updates of the pair’s adventures.
We guess the saying really is true – life is a highway after all.
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Beginning her career as a lifestyle reporter and social-media manager, Grace joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025. Since coming on board, she has thrown herself into the busy daily writing schedule. Her editorial sweet spots include writing about luxury properties and the quirky features inside them that the one percent are investing in, as well as groundbreaking advancements in space exploration.
