Tow Mater

Mater: "My name's Mater!"
Lightning McQueen: "Mater?"
Mater: "Yeah, like "Tuh-Mater", but without the Tuh!"

—Mater introduces himself to Lightning McQueen

thumb|300px|right Sir Tow Mater, better know as simply Mater, is the supporting protagonist in Cars and the main protagonist in Cars 2. He also appears in his very own short series Cars Toons: Mater's Tall Tales as the main character.

His best friend is Lightning McQueen. Mater also likes to go Tractor Tippin' at night, his favorite hobby.

Mater's catchphrases are "Dad gum!" and "Git-R-Done!" (his voice actor, Larry the Cable Guy's signature phrase).

Cars

"Mater's lived in Radiator Springs his whole life. In his younger days, he used to be a real handful around town, playing pranks on everyone, tippin' tractors, saying inappropriate things at the wrong time, but luckily he's matured a lot since then."^[1]

"Mater's a good ol' boy with a big heart and the only tow truck in Radiator Springs. He runs Tow Mater Towing & Salvage and manages the local impound lot. Though a little rusty, he has the quickest towrope in Carburetor County and is always the first to lend a helping hand. Mater sees the bright side of any situation. He's the heart and soul of Radiator Springs, and he doesn't have a mean bolt in his chassis."^[1]

"Keep an eye on Mater, he tends to take things a little too literally."^[1]

Mater is a friendly tow truck with buckteeth. He speaks with a thick Southern redneck accent with a dash of hillbilly twang and frequently uses incorrect syntax.

Mater runs Tow Mater Towing & Salvage. Mater is one of the first to befriend and support Lightning throughout his adventure in Radiator Springs. During the film, Mater shows Lightning how to do Tractor Tippin' and how to drive backwards without crashing by using rearview mirrors, which Lightning uses to counter Chick Hicks' dirty racing in the Piston Cup race. In the end, Lightning gives Mater an opportunity to fly in a Dinoco helicopter like he always wanted, saying to Sally that Mater is his new best friend.

Mater is also capable of racing, as well as being the (self-proclaimed) world's best backwards driver. He attributes his skill to his rear-view mirrors and his own philosophy: "Don't need to know where I'm going, just need to know where I've been."

Mater and the Ghostlight

Mater is now the main character of his own short.

One night, Mater plays a series of scary pranks on his friends until a blue light begins to haunt him. Mater's final prank is his most successful: Lightning sees a tow hook hanging from behind a stack of cans and, assuming that Mater is hiding behind it, approaches to foil the prank. Mater then jumps off of the roof of Flo's café, screaming behind Lightning, who then is startled and knocks over the pile of cans, revealing that the hook was actually from the sign of Mater's place of business, thus a decoy. Everyone starts to laugh at Lightning for falling for such a trick, and Mater says that Lightning looks like he's seen "the Ghostlight".

Sheriff tells Mater not to mock the Ghostlight, a character of urban legend amongst the cars. The Ghostlight is a glowing orb of blue, translucent light that haunts Radiator Springs, and hates nothing more than the sound of clanking metal -- a sound frequently made by Mater's rickety shell. Sheriff continues to tell the story of a young couple lost in the area, whose only remains were "two out-of-state license plates". He then concludes with an overly cheerful "Well, g'night!". The population of Radiator Springs then leaves within seconds, leaving a very nervous Mater all by himself in the dark.

As he reaches his garage, he is first frightened by a "lightning bug" (a tiny flying Volkswagen Beetle with bright headlights). As he relaxes, a bright blue glow suddenly appears behind Mater and he goes into a blind panic, driving around in a frenzy, first going along the main road, then going through the tractor field (past Frank), then around Willy's Butte, and doing a lock-strafe move after that, until he is exhausted. However, the Ghostlight was revealed to be a glowing blue lantern to Mater's towing cable hung up by Lightning and Guido.

The short ends with Mater finally collapsing on the road with the rest of the folks surrounding him, revealing the joke to him as retribution for the pranks he did to them. The credits roll and after them, there is a closing shot where the frightened Mater finds he has a huge construction vehicle behind him, snarling and carrying the license plate "Banshee." However, Mater doesn't realize who it is and warns it of the Screamin' Banshee before driving off, bidding the Banshee good night.

Cars Toons: Mater's Tall Tales

Mater is now the protagonist in his own TV series. Each tale begins with Mater telling a story of something he has done in the past.

In the story, Mater finds himself in an inescapable predicament.

When Lightning questions Mater over whether the events in the story actually occurred, Mater responds, "Don't you remember? You was there, too!", and continues the story including Lightning's sudden participation.

The cartoons end with Mater leaving the scene, often followed by characters or references to the story that was being told, putting up a possibility that the story might be real.

Cars 2

Mater returns as the main protagonist.

In the now popular tourist destination of Radiator Springs, the rusty old tow truck Mater has a number of roles, including proprietor of Tow Mater Towing and Salvage, grand storyteller and the heart and soul of the town. But Mater’s favorite title is best friend to Lightning McQueen. Mater values each and every dent he’s earned on his escapades with Lightning over the years, and anxiously awaits further fun with his friend when Lightning returns with his latest Piston Cup.

Cheerful, honest and loyal to a fault, Mater rushes to his best friend’s defense, which ultimately lands the off-duty Lightning in an international racing exhibition: the World Grand Prix. When Lightning invites Mater to come along as a member of his pit crew, Mater leaves Carburetor County for the first time ever.

Not long after their arrival in Tokyo, Mater learns that the world outside of Radiator Springs is decidedly different and its newfangled ways may take some getting used to. But when he’s mistaken for an American secret agent, he falls into an intriguing adventure of his own. Caught between supporting his best friend on a

globe-trotting racing competition and his new role in international espionage, Mater ends up in an explosive chase through the streets of Tokyo and Europe alongside a team of British spies and international bad guys.

Just before the end of the film The Queen knights Mater for his bravery.

Personality

Mater is a friendly, silly, dim-witted, and goofy tow truck, but he also has a vast knowledge of all car parts considering his job of towing and salvaging, which proves to be useful in exposing Miles Axlerod as the one behind the conspiracy to sabotage the World Grand Prix.

Specifications

Zero to 60: 10 seconds
Engine: V-8 with two-barrel carburetor
Horsepower: 200
Top speed: 90 mph

Weaponry And Gadgets

Cs311 454cs-sel16-123 — Mater's paraglider

In Cars 2, since Mater plays a role in a spy affair, he is added several gadgets, however not as spectacular as those of Finn McMissile or Holley Shiftwell. Since Mater is not familiar with his gadgets, they are activated by voice commands.

Deployable machine guns: One on each side. Deployed when Mater uses his catchphrase "Dad-gum."
Twin rockets: Give Mater a powerful boost, and can serve to direct himself when gliding.
Deployable paraglider: Of an orange color, it permits Mater to glide in the air. When used with his rockets, this gadget permits Mater to direct himself more precisely.
Deployable holographic disguise emitter: Disguised as the flashing light on the roof. The device instantaneously makes a disguise all around Mater, and may even simulate supplementary volume or hide some.

At the end of Cars 2, it appears Mater was removed of all his gadgets. However, he obtained the favor to keep his twin rockets.

Quotes

From Cars

Mater: "What's you're name?"
Lightning McQueen: "You don't know my name?"
Mater: "Umm- Is your name Mater too?"

—Mater and Lightning McQueen introducing each other.

Lightning: "I'm a precision instrument of speed and aerodynamics
Mater: "You hurt your what?"

—Mater and Lightning McQueen speaking to each other whilst he fixes the road.

From Cars 2

Mater: "Hey, Otis!"
Otis: "Hey, Mater! Oh, uh, gosh, I'm so sorry. I thought I could make it this time, but..." (tries to start his engine, but can't) "Smooth like pudding, huh? Oh, who am I kidding? I'll always be a lemon."
Mater: "Well, Dadgum, you leakin' oil again! Must be your gaskets." (hooks his tow hook on Otis and starts to tow him) "Hey, look on the bright side. This is your 10th tow this month, so that means it's on the house!"
Otis: "You're the only one who's nice to lemons like me, Mater."
Mater: "Hey, don't sweat it! Shoot, these things happen to everybody, Otis."
Otis: "But you never leak oil!"
Mater: "Yeah, but I ain't perfect. Don't tell nobody, but I think my rust is starting to show through." (they pass by the billboard).
Otis: "Hey, is Lightning McQueen back yet?"
Mater: "Not yet."
Otis: "He must be crazy excited about winning his 4th Piston Cup! 4! Wow!"
Mater: "Yeah, we're so Dadgum proud of him. But I just wish that he'd hurry up and get back, 'cause we got a whole summer's worth of best friend fun to make up for, just me and..." (he sees that Lightning McQueen is back, so he rushes to him, but he forgets he's towing Otis) "...McQueen!"
Otis: "Whoa!"
Mater: "McQueen!"
Otis: "Mater, I'm in no hurry!"
Mater: "McQueen! McQueen! McQueen! McQueen! McQueen!"
Otis: "Ahh!"

—Mater towing Otis.

Holley Shiftwell: "This cannont be him."
Finn McMissile: "Is he American?"
Mater: "Look out ladies! Mater's fitting 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 Carmen Ghia has no radiator."
Mater: "Well, of course it doesn't! That's because it's air cooled!"
Holley Shiftwell: "Perfect! I'm from the Tokyo station..."
Mater: "Of course, Carmen Ghias weren't the only ones, besides the Beetles, you had to take 3 square backs, which makes the motor."
Holley Shiftwell: "Okay. . ."
Mater: "And before both of them, there are those Type 2 busses. My buddy, Fillmore, is one of them."
Holley Shiftwell: "Listen, I should find somewhere more private."
Mater: "Uh, gee, don't you think that 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 rendevous then."

—Holley mistakes Mater for an American spy.

Lightning McQueen: "Mater!"
Mater: "Hey, McQueen! What happened? Is the race over? You won, right?"
Lightning McQueen: "Mater, why were you yelling things to me while I was racing?"
Mater: "Yelling? Oh, you thought, oh, that's funny right there. No, see, that 'cause I seen these 2 fellas doing something sort of karate street performance, it was nuts of them. One of them even had a flamethrower."
Lightning McQueen: "Flamethrower? What are you talking about? I - I don't under stand. Where were you?"
Mater: "Going to meet my date."
Lightning McQueen: "Your date?"
Mater: "She started talking to me as a voice in my head telling me where to go. . ."
Lightning McQueen: "What?!"
Mater: "Wait a minute, I didn't screw you up, did I?"
Lightning McQueen: "I lost the race, because of you!"
Mater: "Well, I'm sorry, I didn't mean too. . ."
Lightning McQueen: "Your imaginary girl friend? Flamethrower? This is exactly why I don't bring you along to these things!"
Mater: "Maybe if I, I don't know, talked to somebody, and explained what happened, I could help. . ."
Lightning McQueen: "I don't need your help! I don't want your help!" (drives away)

—McQueen gets mad at Mater for causing him to lose the race.

Stephenson: "Finn, one hour to Porto Corsa."
Finn McMissile: "Thank you, Stephenson." (while Finn said that, a robotic arm put in a new siren on Mater)
Holley Shiftwell: "Yeah, I think that should just about do it."
Finn McMissile: "Perfect."
Holley Shiftwell: "So, Mater, it's voice activated. But, you know, everything is voice activated these days."
Mater: "What? I thought you's supposed to be making me a disguise."
Computer: "Voice recognized. Disguise program initiated." (Mater's Ivan disguise turns on)
Mater: "Ha, ha. Cool! Hey, computer, make me a German truck!"
Computer: "Request acknowledged." (a German truck disguise turns on)
Mater: "Check it out! I'm wearing Materhosen! Make me a monster truck!"
Computer: "Request acknowledged." (a Count Dracula disguise turns on)
Mater: "What the? Heh, heh. 'I want to saphon your gas!' Ha, ha! Now make me a taco truck!"
Computer: "Request acknowledged." (a Taco Truck disguise turns on)
Mater: (he opens a stand on his side window and plays a theme) "A funky car!"
Computer: "Request acknowledge." (another disguise turns on)
Mater: (he revs his engine, then his disguise turns off)
Finn McMissile: "The idea is to keep a low profile, Mater."

—Finn McMissile, Holley Shiftwell, and Mater riding Stephenson to Porto Corsa.

"McQueen, they're gonna kill you!"

—Mater tries to warn McQueen.

Mater: "Holley, Finn, where are we?!"
Finn McMissile: "We're in London, Mater, inside Big Bentley!"
Mater: "Whoa!" (gets dropped by something, and the gear Finn and Holley are tied to moves one minute)
Mater: "Listen, this is all my fault."
Finn McMissile: "Don't be a fool, Mater."
Mater: "But I am. Remember? You said so."
Finn McMissile: "When did I. . .? Oh, Mater, I was complimenting you on what a good spy you are."
Mater: "I'm not a spy!" (echos 4 times) "I've been trying to tell you that the whole time. I really am just a tow truck."
Holley Shiftwell: "Finn, he's not joking."
Finn McMissile: "I know."
Mater: "You were right, Finn. I'm a fool, and what's happenning to McQueen is because I'm such a big one. This is all my fault."
(Grem and Acer come in)
Grem: "Good, you're up."
Acer: "And just in time!"
Grem: "Professor Z wanted you to have a front row seat for the death of Lightning McQueen!"
Mater: "He's still alive?"
Acer: "Not for much longer!"
Mater: "Whoa!" (gets dropped by the clock system, and Finn and Holley move another minute)

—Mater, Finn, and Holley tied up in Big Bentley.

"What's everybody on the wrong side of the road for?"

—Mater driving in London.

Mater: "I get it. I get it! I know what needs to be done!"
Lightning McQueen: "Then do it!"
Mater: "What? No, I can't do it. Look, nobody takes me seriously. I know that now. This ain't Radiator Springs."
Lightning McQueen: "Yes, it is. Look, you're yourself in Radiator Springs. Be yourself here. And if people aren't taking you seriously, then they need to change, not you. I know that because I was wrong before. Now, you can do this. You're the bomb."
Mater: "Thanks, buddy."
Lightning McQueen: "No, no, no, you're the actual bomb! Now let's go!"
Mater: "Oh, right. Hang on!"

—Lightning tells Mater to be himself.

Customizations

Trivia

Mater's license plate is A113, a recurring joke in Pixar films.
Mater, along with other countless versions of him, have been released in the Cars, Cars Toons and Cars 2 Die-Cast Lines.
Mater and Ivan are the only characters in Cars 2 that are tow trucks.
During the credit roll of Cars 2, Mater's passport scrolls past. His birth date is listed on it. It turns out to be the same as John Lasseter’s: January 12, 1957.
During the last section of the World Grand Prix, Mater is described as the World's greatest backwards driver.
In the credits it is shown that he is knighted on Tuesday, July 15, 2011.