Yo! MC: The Next Jam!

09.03.2011 – If you haven’t seen Cars 2 chances are you’re looking forward to Mater’s humor. Voiced by Larry The Cable Guy our fame Tow Mater has average intelligence. Currently Cars 2 is being shown in 3D or 2D depends on your perspective. But definitely this film just introduced more characters that are hard to track down if your collect the die cast cars manufactured by Mattel. Just like our previous feature on Lightning McQueen we get to check out the toy version of Mater. Released in 2009 this version features the Lenticular eyes instead of just a print that had too many variants color eyes. (Please CLICK on the title for the full article)

Mater’s a good ol’boy with a big heart and the only tow truck in Radiator Springs that befriended Lightning McQueen in the 2006 film. He runs a Tow-Mater’s Towing and Salvage, and manages the impound lot. He looks like a rusty but he’s there to lend a hand. In Cars 2 he gets equal billing with Lightning McQueen.

Evidently he became a fan favorite to everyone who had followed the Pixar 5 minute short series in Cars Toons where he tells is tall tale of being a Rescue Squad member or a Wrestler. Mater’s popularity soared during Cars Toons and he was mostly the character to look forward to see in Cars 2.

The current diecast version of Mater sports the “95” Team McQueen badge which is the most common character out of the toy shelves. This version of Mater is rarely can be found in shops right now unless you look hard enough to find one prior to the Cars 2 version.




Mater is actually a personal favorite with the innocence of this character and the humor that Larry The Cable Guy created surely you’d like to see all the Cars Toons compiled in one DVD (which is now available).

Mattel has done superbly with this diecast car version of Mater. It’s not entirely 100% diecast and you can see that the first halve of the truck is the only part you’ll notice. The tow truck is inspired by a 1951 International Harvester but bears more of a resemblance to a 1955–57 Chevrolet or GMC.




The actual inspiration may be the 1955–56 versions since the hood which Mater recovers at the end of the film after a twenty-year absence lacks the "gunsights" of the 1957 model.

Just like Lightning McQueen the lenticular eyes gives a bit more personal touch on the character in toy form and the details is close to his CG counterpart. There’s not much information in the blister packaging, but it includes a product catalog featuring other minor and major characters in the first film.

Clearly the World of Cars is now bigger with the addition of the new characters from Cars 2. But for those who just want to settle getting the main ones it would be challenging getting all the versions. For now you just want to get the best one this version of Mater sticks out of the flock of variations.

Cars 2 is still being shown in selected cinemas across the Philippines in 3D and 2D. Maybe after seeing the film you’ll be thinking twice of collecting The World of Cars!