Cartoon Car Toons!

One cool character in the movie Cars is the Doc Hudson. Cool because he’s one ice-cold person, I mean car. Although that changed later on in the movie. Well, maybe he’s not ice-cold. He just has this attitude of being detached from the troubles of other cars. For the movie, Doc Hudson Hornet was voiced by Paul Newman. In the movie, it was told that Doc was once a racecar - in fact, not just a race car but a legendary racer.

How he came to end up in Radiator Springs was told in the movie. In his heyday as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, Doc racked up win after win. But in the qualifying session for a race in 1954, he suffered an accident. But he recuperated and tried to go back to the sport that he has become a major part of. But upon his return, poor Doc was called a has-been. Ouch! Well, anyway, after that treatment, he chose to walk (or should I say drive) away from the sport.

When he left the sport, he always carried around with him a picture of the crash to remind himself to never return to the sport.

Apparently, the Fabulous Hudson Hornet studied medicine and went to Radiator Springs to practice. Even with the Interstate taking motorists away from Radiator Sprigs, Doc stayed on at the place. He is well-respected by the few residents of the town. He serves as the town’s doctor and judge. It was Doc who would teach Lightning McQueen a lesson which the latter would put to good use in the race towards the end of the film. Doc showed us that back in the days, drifting was already perfected. LOL.

But most of us are not aware that there is indeed a real Fabulous Hudson Hornet. But unlike Sally Carrera and Tow Mater which have been built as part of the movie, the Fabulous Hudson Hornet was built in the 1950s and is one of the most famous NASCAR cars. The car was driven by Marshall Teague and Herb Thomas back in the days. Although it was Teague who convinced Hudson to create the racecar, it was Thomas who had the most success with the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. In the 1951 NASCAR season, Thomas used a Plymouth and an Oldsmobile early in that season with moderate success. But when he switched midseason to drive the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, he started dominating other cars and went on to win that year’s championship.

I’m not fond of watching animated TV series or maybe I just don’t have the time to watch such things. There are instances that I can’t resist watching, since the people at home love that kind of show. In those times, I find it interesting to know the stories. They are actually kind of fun if you already started watching.

Well, the story is great. So, if some of you would want to read more, the site is ready to provide more of it.

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.

I’ve been a Batman fanatic ever since I laid my eyes on the television and comic books. And that was also when I learned how to understand stories of superheroes! I love Batman more than any superhero character created by Marvel or DC comics. The most interesting feature of the whole Batman story is the Caped Crusader’s vehicle! The Batmobile!

Bruce Wayne is a super billionaire that’s why he can afford to build the most radical gadget that he brings into play during his pursuit with the bad guys! I guess every month he changes and makes brand new black leather suits, weapons and of course the Batmobile! Don’t you know that he owns a hundred models of the Batmobile?! Damn you’re right! A lot of versions came in since the first appearance of the Caped Crusader - from 1940s up to the present. You will notice that every episode in the comic books, animated series or in movies, he uses different Batmobile models!

Oh yes, he is rich. Let me tell you! I guess it was just a redesigned model… Either way, brand new or redesigned, the Batmobile continues to rock, right?!

One of the best versions I saw in a comic book was the 2000 “mean machine” Batmobile. Unfortunately, it was phased out in 2000 to make way for a newer, sleeker Batmobile design. This car was the same as the 1962 Batmobile in its over-all look. The Mean Machine has been modernized and restructured with smaller fins, a jet engine, a full roof, and a true bat-mask grill. The Batmobile’s distinctive arsenal stayed behind as the car was armor plated and had such awesome features that includes self-sealing tires, on-board weapons & weapons-detection systems, a heads-up display, and a retractable roof.

The Caped Crusader and the Batmobile has evolved over the years into a much sophisticated character that is loved by a lot of fanatics including me! For the next years to come, expect the best gadgets and weapons that Batman will introduce to all of us geeks! Soon, I hope.

What could be sexier than the Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Aston Martin Vanquish, and the Alfa Romeo Tipo? According to the guys at Top Gear, there are ten sexier cars than the ones I mentioned and one of them is a cartoon.

Yes, I know you have heard or seen the Cars film so I know you know Sally Carrera. She’s the one who took the tenth spot in the Top Gear’s list of 100 sexiest cars.

Here’s what they have to say about Sally: “This is ridiculous. How can a cartoon car make it into the top 10? Well, just listen to Sally the 911 Carrera and you’ll see. Voiced by Bonnie Hunt in Pixar’s movie Cars, Sally Carrera is the love interest for Lightning McQueen - the story’s hero.”

“Quite apart from the fact that Sally sounds like what you imagine a 911 might in your weirdest fantasy, she also has some rather interesting pinstriping which would suggest intimate tattoos.”

Sally Carrera was based on the Porsche 911. Interestingly, the Porsche 911 won the distinction of being the Greatest Ever Sports Car in the Discovery Channel Greatest Ever feature. The director of the film, the genius John Lasseter, has this to say about the car that was to become Sally: “She’s a Porsche 911 and she’s beautiful, beautiful. It’s interesting that people mostly think of a Porsche as powerful and a guy’s car, but the lines on a Porsche are so beautiful that it fits perfectly for the character of Sally.”

And the guys at Top Gear must have the same thought about Sally that’s why she was ranked as the tenth sexiest car. Bob Pauley, a production designer for the film, meanwhile has this to say about Sally. “When we found the Porsche, it fit perfectly. Director John Lasseter liked the idea of pairing the leading man, `Lightning McQueen,’ with a performance car that was tough and strong, yet also sweet, attractive and had a ‘nice silhouette’.”

But if you think that Sally only exists in the movies, then you are wrong. A life-sized version of Sally was made by Eddie Paul, a builder of special cars for Hollywood. You can check out the Sally Carrera gallery here.

I don’t know if you agree with Top Gear’s choice, but I certainly do. Would Bumblebee be included in a list of, say, the ten most powerful cars? I think so. LOL.

“Transformers” has been a box office hit. It has raked $300 million last week. New Regency has seen how it was patronized by a lot of people of all ages (except for babies, of course) from all around the world. So, they are now planning to assemble their own giant robot movie: “Voltron: Defender of the Universe”. It will be under 20th Century Fox production and Mark Gordon Co.

Well, let’s just wait for it to be shown and let’s see if this film would be as interesting as “Transformers” or if it would be perhaps even better.

Oh yeah! The most radical videogame in the planet today! Twisted Metal has been a crowd favorite of game-maniacs ever since it was introduced to the industry with the first version of the game.

Aside from the great story and features, the new Twisted Metal 4 displays all sorts of vehicles. I searched the internet last week just to know the vehicles and drivers. Fortunately, wikipedia.org has all the information I need.

Let’s get to know the vehicles and drivers of the radically insane video game today… Twisted Metal 4!

Vehicles and Drivers

Car type: Super car

Special: Freeze orb - short range weapon that connects to an enemy vehicle and freezes it.

Driver: Orbital - A super-spy in the vein of James Bond who lost half of his face and body to a chemical run in with a villainous doctor. Though half his torso is a skeleton, he lives off a built-in life support system. He enters the contest in hopes of becoming normal again.

Car type: Modified pizza delivery hatch-back

Special: Pizza blades - two homing saw blades that shoot from the sides of the car and seek out one enemy.

Driver: Connor Nazang - A white-rapper pizza delivery boy who is obsessed with street racing, he enters the contest in hopes of getting the fastest vehicle modification known to man.

Car type: Pirate ship car

Special: Cannon ball - a short range cannon ball launched from the hood of the car that explodes in a ball of fire upon impact.

Driver: Capt. Grimm - A deceased pirate who lives through unknown means; though all bone, he has a small parrot who he talks through. He enters the contest in hopes of getting the MC’s soul.

Car type: Soviet mobile missile truck

Special: Nuke - A remote detonated nuclear missile launched from the bed of Calypso’s truck that is stronger in power than it is in homing cpabilities.

Driver: Calypso - Obviously, the de-throned master of Twisted Metal who wants his title (and his ring) back.

Car type: Meter car

Special: Tazer - an electric current that drains life from attacked players and transfers it to the meter car.

Driver: Zanita Corbette - An attractive young meter maid with a penchant for violence and adding insults to injuries. She enters the contest so as to give Sweet Tooth a secret prize.

Car type: Exterminator van

Special: Green Tox - A short range, but wide-spread chemical spray that eats away at an enemy’s armor.

Driver: ‘Goggle Eyes’ - A first rate chemist and exterminator who has dedicated his life to eliminating all forms of insects off the face of the planet.

You want cartoons and cars, right? Check out this site I found on the Web. It’s so cool I’m telling you. It has cartoons and it has cars. You should check out this site. It’s tailormade for us who wants a good dose of laughter. Carcarzycentral.com offers comic strips with hilarious messages that you’d find yourself grinning silly in front of your computer.

My personal favorites include the one entitled the Road Sign Hotrod. I hate to spoil the fun for you guys but the cartoon is of a guy being pulled over by a cop. The cop was asking the nervous dude if he would mind telling the officer where he got the sheet metal for his car. Check out the cartoon and see why the cop was asking the guy that question.

And then, there’s this one about a shrink talking to a tire. The tire lies down on the couch and all he (or is it she?) said was one line and I had to grin at the genius of the person who made the cartoon. There’s also this cartoon about Mercedes-Benz and safety. The cartoon is actually a play on word and it’s pretty funny too. But we all know that Mercedes-Benz is really one of the automakers out there specializing in the development of safety features and reliable auto parts such as their fuel pumps.

And for those who love cars and are, at the same time, frustrated with their so called ‘high-speed’ computer, the site has a suggestion for you for a faster internet connection. LOL. Check out the cartoon. I’m even thinking about doing the same to mine. And then, there’s this cartoon about a guy who had to do something bizarre while driving his car. This is definitely aimed at those who want to have the hippest, thus the lowest car on the road.

All I can say is the guys who made these cartoons are gifted with a big dose of sense of humor. It was a lot of fun reading all the cartoons. Wish there were more though. But there are also other sites with cartoons about cars but his one I consider as one of the best. I hope you have a good time on your visit to the site as much as I did.

Another awesome Warner Bros. Pictures film has been viewed all over the world just recently - “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (the movie version of JK Rowling’s 5th book). Hermione Granger just got lovelier this time. No other words to define the film but a simple “Wonderful!”

Since the vehicle was reported stolen, the thieves weren’t able to get a good deal from it and just decided to leave it in the ruined 14th Century Carn Brae Castle in Cornwall. They probably thought somebody would ridiculously take it or would even believe it will fly.

Oh well, I can’t seem to resist the excitement for the rest of the books to be filmed, namely “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”. I guess these would be even more thrilling as the whole story comes to a close.