Backwards Driveing Champion
Like most of us, I think that you are also having a hard time backing up a truck to park it. Most of the new large vehicles we have today have these park assist systems or whatever they call it. Basically, these features allow us to be more confident in backing up that large SUV or that pickup truck. But I know someone who doesn’t need that gizmo or any kind of gizmo for that matter to go backwards driving.
I’m talking about Mater, that hillbilly tow truck in the movie Cars. I kinda like this guy better than most of the characters in the film because of his attitude. Although a bit slow with his thinking, Mater is a good chap to be around which he showed Lightning McQueen.
So here’s a background on Mater who is the self-proclaimed world champion backwards driver. This talent which I wish I also have according to Mater is easy because he has his rear-view mirrors and the mantra “Don’t need to see where you’re going, just need to see where you’ve been.” He speaks with a Southern accent which I really like because it suits his affable personality. He became good friends with Lightning McQueen in the movie and he gets to do what he wanted to do at the end of the film - ride in a helicopter.
Mater is based loosely on a 1958 International Harvester tow truck or a mid-50s Chevrolet or GMC truck. If you think that Mater only exists in the realm of the big screen, you’re dead wrong because the makers of the movie has commissioned an auto genius to come up with a life-size replica of Mater, and a running one at that. The said truck is on display at Disney’s California Adventure at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. If you want to know how they build the real life Mater, check out this site.
In the movie, the original color of Mater is actually baby blue but through the years, it became a patchwork of rust which gives you the impression that Mater is just gonna break down any minute. An interesting trivia for you is the license plate of Mater which is A113. If you look closely on other animated films such as Toy Story, A bug’s Life, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and even Ratatouille, you can see A113. A113 is an inside joke used by CalArts alumni on their projects. The number refers to the room number of the classroom which animation students at the school used.
