Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Cars 2 arrived in 2011 as Pixar's tenth feature, a sequel that pushed the studio's flagship racing franchise into globe-trotting spy territory. Released by Walt Disney Pictures, it expanded the world introduced in 2006's Cars, sending its characters abroad for international grand prix racing intercut with espionage plotting. While reception among critics was mixed compared to prior Pixar efforts, the film remains a significant chapter in the studio's history and a merchandising cornerstone, keeping Radiator Springs and its cast in continuous circulation for a new generation of viewers and collectors.
This cell centers on Lightning McQueen, the franchise's central figure and the character most sought after by collectors of Cars memorabilia. Racing is his defining pursuit, the throughline connecting every installment back to his origins as a hotshot rookie chasing the Piston Cup. A cell built around racing speaks to that core identity rather than the spy-comedy detours layered into this particular sequel. Whether drawn from a trailer reel, a title card, or studio promotional material, this piece represents the character in his most fundamental context: on the track, doing what first made him a household name.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Cars 2 (2011).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced; punched holes appear clean and regularly shaped across all visible frames.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, consistent with an analog stereo print; Dolby Digital pixel blocks appear present in the inter-perforation gaps on the same edge.
Edge print
Text is present along both edges but is not legible at this capture resolution; no key numbers or SAFETY FILM text can be read.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight warm-neutral tint; the dye image reads as a rich, saturated positive with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks, or prominent scratches are visible on the three frames shown.
Picture
Positive color image; all three frames appear to be from the same or consecutive shots, and the animated content is consistent with the Cars 2 (2011) title on record.
Era check
The combination of analog variable-area optical track with Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is standard for a 2011 theatrical release print, consistent with the recorded title and period.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000063494
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
