Galena, Kansas -
Tow Mater from the Movie Cars

Tow Mater from the Movie "Cars"

What a fun spot. This is in my husband's hometown of Galena, Kansas, and it's on the Old Route 66. This truck is based on a character in the Cars movie. [Cathy Hayes, 06/19/2011]

Tow Mater

On a corner of Old Route 66, "4 Women on the Route (66)," a formerly abandoned service stationm is open and waiting to serve you a meal. "Tow Tater," the original boom truck that "Cars" director John Lasseter and Pixar's John Ranfit saw while traveling historic Route 66 that inspired the "Tow-Mater" character in the movie, awaits the opportunity to be captured on film -- your camera film.

The restored building presents as much charm as the owners, who have a scrapbook ready and waiting to fill in the details you may be missing about how Mater came to be. [Gina Godding, 07/24/2010]

Tow Mater from Cars Movie

We visited with Melba and her brother and got the special treatment for sure. She knew her facts and treated us like we were best friends, not visitors to her diner. We learned so much from visiting with them and enjoyed the food so much. [Stephanie McGuire, 08/17/2009]

Tow Mater from Cars Movie

The inspiration of Tow Mater has been updated with eyes. [Tade, 10/30/2008]

Tow Mater from Cars Movie

We have the old boom truck used for the inspiration of Tow Mater in the movie Cars. We four women are restoring a corner of Old Route 66. They have bought the whole four corners going into Galena and one of the buildings (an old gas station) that was the home of Tow Mater.

We plan to try to bring our little town back to life. And the kids love Tow Mater. [Melba Rigg, 02/03/2007]