 The fictional town of Radiator Springs was inspired by several real  life locations along historic Route 66. In 2001, a creative team  from Pixar, including directors John Lasseter (qv) and  Joe Ranft (qv), toured parts of Route 66 in Kansas, Oklahoma,  Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Their guide along the  way was author and Route 66 historian Michael Wallis (I) (qv).  Wallis went on to provide the voice of the Sheriff car in the film.