Holley is a beautiful young British desk agent turned spy-in-training who is stationed in Tokyo. Well-educated and sharp, she knows every trick in the book (or rather, she relies on every trick in the spy manual). She is armed with all of the latest state-of-the-art spy equipment imaginable, from hidden cameras and concealed weapons to a telescoping utility arm and a holographic pop-up display. Holley is a highly motivated agent, but is fresh out of the academy, so her experience is based on lessons learned in school rather than real-life situations. When Finn McMissile requires Holley's technical expertise for his latest top-secret field operation, she finds herself pursuing a rendezvous with the most unlikely candidate -- Mater, an innocent tow truck caught up in the intrigue, who is mesmerized by the beauty of his newest friend.[1]
At the end at the movie, she says she is Mater's girlfriend and says to Mater that he still owes her a first date.
As a spy, Holley Shiftwell is equipped with gadgets including:
On-board computer: Holley is equipped with a computer that can analyze spy data. It projects a hologram heads-up display as a screen and dual trackball platforms as a mouse.
Projection lamps: Located above her headlights, they emit the hologram heads-up display.
Dual mounted trackball platforms: Retract in the undercarriage and used to control the heads-up display, with the wheels, in the way a mouse controls a computer.
Headlight cameras: Invisible, they transmit an image to Holley's on-board computer that can then be analyzed.
Digital read-outs: Located on the side mirror, the screen can receive transmissions from other spies or view a map of the environment.
Retractable wings for flight: Holley has wings that protrude from her rocker panels and her rear deck lid Holley skydiving from the top of Big Bentley.
Holley's front wheels are equipped with several gadgets:
Concealed guns: One in each front wheel.
Electroshock device: A taser-like weapon. Holley uses it to neutralize cars without damaging them.
Telescoping utilityarm: A small screwdriver-like arm that permits Holley to more precisely use the buttons of a control panel and hold small devices.
Trivia
Holley's name is a reference to Holley Performance Products, Inc., a manufacturer of high-performance carburetors and fuel systems located in Bowling Green, KY.
Her design has a close resemblance to the Jaguar XJR-15.
Her license plate is HS1201, which includes her initials. The number 1201 is Emily Mortimer's birthday (December 1st).
In some LEGO Cars 2 sets, it includes Holley. However, that version of her is a little bit more pink.
Holley Shiftwell: "This cannot be him." Finn McMissile: "Is he American?" Mater: "Look out, ladies! Mater's fittin' to get funky!" Holley Shiftwell: "Extremely." Finn McMissile: "Then it's him." Holley Shiftwell: (drives over to Mater) "Hello." Mater: "Well, hello!" Holley Shiftwell: "A Volkswagen Karmann Ghia has no radiator." Mater: "Well, of course it doesn't! That's 'cause it's air cooled!" Holley Shiftwell: "Perfect! Erm, I'm from the Tokyo Station." Mater: "'Course, Karmann Ghias weren't the only ones. Besides the Beetles, you had your Type 3 Squarebacks with the Pancake motors." Holley Shiftwell: "Yeah, okay. I get it." Mater: "And before both of them, there's the Type 2 buses. My buddy Fillmore's one of them." Holley Shiftwell: "Listen! Erm, we should find somewhere more private." Mater: "Uh... Gee, don't you think that's a little. . .?" Holley Shiftwell: "Yeah, you're right. Impossible to know which areas here are compromised. So, when can I see you again?" Mater: "Well, let's see. Tomorrow I'll be out there at the races." Holley Shiftwell: "Got it! We'll rendezvous then."
—Holley mistakes Mater for an American spy.
Alexander Hugo: "Gremlins, man, those are some ugly cars. Look like someone stole their trunks!" (Alex, Ivan, and the other black Hugos laugh) Holley Shiftwell (Italian accent): (something in Italian). "My grand-a father has-a broken down. If-a one of-a you would help, I would be so thankful." Ivan: "Sounds like you need some roadside assistance." Alexander Hugo: "She was talking to me, Ivan!" Ivan: "Oh, really? Prove it!" (hits Alexander Hugo) Holley Shiftwell (still Italian accent): "No, no, no! Don't-a fight over me. Signore Tow Truck, per favore."
—Alexander Hugo, Ivan, and the other black Hugos meet Holley, who they don't know is a spy.
Finn McMissile: "Holley!" Holley Shiftwell: "I'm detecting an extremely strong electromagnetic pulse." (sees the lemon's camera on top of the building) "Finn, it's the camera!" Finn McMissile: "Where?" Holley Shiftwell: "On the tower!" (Finn rushes to stop the lemons.)