Galena, Kansas: Cars on the Route: Birthplace of Tow Mater

The old tow truck that inspired Tow Mater in the movie Cars has for many years stood at a former Kan-O-Tex gas station, restored as a Route 66 attraction named 4 Women on the Route. Two of those women have retired, and the attraction will reopen later this month as Cars on the Route, with more vintage cars modified to resemble the characters in the animated film. The gas station stands on one of the four corners purchased by the four women, who had always planned to develop all four as attractions. The second -- a restoration of the town's former bordello -- should open this year.

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.

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.

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.

The inspiration of Tow Mater has been updated with eyes.