In Pixar's Cars, Radiator Springs is marked as founded in 1909.
The year appears in the town's visual history and supports the idea that Radiator Springs grew during the early era of American automobile travel. Its identity is closely tied to Route 66 and to the decline that followed when newer highways bypassed the community.
Cars uses signs, storefronts, road layouts, and landmark buildings to present the town as a preserved roadside settlement. These details help explain why its residents are so invested in restoring the road and attracting visitors.
The founding year is separate from the film's main present-day storyline and should not be confused with the opening date of Route 66, which was established in 1926. The town's fictional history is inspired by real roadside communities along the historic highway.