The movie “Cars” was a massive box office success, and since its release in 2006, it has spawned a number of clones of the characters from the movie. One of the most popular is of Mater, the lovable tow truck. Some of the clones have been pretty average, but this one looks to be a good one. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. Located at the University of Richmond, Virginia, it is offered for sale with a clear title. The seller has set a BIN price of $14,900 for our friend, but the option is there to make an offer.
This Mater tribute is based on a 1964 Ford F100. The body looks to be straight and free of any rust issues. The hood is missing as per the character in the movie. Hopefully, this will assist with engine cooling as the grille is blocked to allow the fitment of a mouth and teeth to faithfully recreate the Mater look. It also features a Holmes Wrecker and one tone undercarriage, so it is functional for towing purposes. My local dirt track speedway has a similar vehicle as a tow truck, and the kids at the track absolutely love it.
The interior is purely functional. It is neat, clean and complete. I guess that the new owner could tidy the interior a bit, but it would probably detract from the character of the vehicle. There are no engine shots, but we know that the truck is fitted with a 6-cylinder engine and a 5-speed transmission.
As it stands, our friend Mater is probably not suitable for use in a full-blown commercial environment. As a promotional vehicle for a business or for a speedway, it is probably a good thing. When the original movie was released many people thought that the characters and merchandise would be here today and gone tomorrow. Now, some twelve years later, the movie and characters are as popular as ever. As a promotional vehicle to lure children and their parents into a business, there are probably few vehicles that are better suited to the task. I think that I’ll go now and watch the DVD.
This is just a prop, and it’s not a F-100. A one ton would be an F-350. I know it brings joy to the little ones, but not very functional, and no gas cap. No thanks.
Wait, what? This looks nothing like “Tow Mater” which is based on a 1956 or 1957 Chevy. It’s just an overpriced old tow truck badly applied patina.
Yup. I appreciate the effort, and I’m sure kids love it, but to me this is like when someone makes KITT out of a Camaro.
I agree, it looks pretty decent, but not exactly the right model of truck for “Mater”.
Granted, we had a 68 VW Done up as “Herbie” for quite a while, though herbie is a 63, with noticeably different headlights and bumper.
Honestly though, 99% of kids and 90% of adults wouldn’t notice the difference on Herbie, and won’t on Mater either.
I’ve seen a new Beetle or two with the Herbie stripes & numbers… now that I think about it, back before I had a phone with a camera to take a pic somebody at work had one that was a Steelers helmet. The one I liked best though was a white one with red baseball stitching.
I thought Mater was a Dodge….?
I thought Mater was an International tow truck?
Does it really Mater🤓
I have 3 grandsons, all age 9, 2 born in February, 1 in April. The April kid turned out to be a big fan of CARS…the other two not so much. He knew and I suppose still does all the cars and what makes they were based on.(He’s less interested in CARS now than he is in Minecraft etc). But I always assumed Mater was an International. Not sure how I’d correct that with him, I guess that it no longer matters 🚛 (can’t find a tow truck emoji)
Here’s the CARS fan and his cousin, at a car show this summer. I figured I could take them to this big one and they’d last a couple of hours. At the end of 45 minutes, they were ready for a shave-ice and then we were done. IIRC, they thought this was Mater. Who knows?
I don’t see the value here.
This guy did it right. Found it on a gofundme page from August. The gentleman’s name is Patrick Hagerman and he’s from Waunakee, WI. The funds request was for the $1,200 entry fee / sponsorship for a cruise to benefit a Ronald McDonald House. Couldn’t find a date for the cruise on the gofundme page but a bunch of kids have had or will have a great time riding in Tow Mater or one of the other hot rods / exotics expected to be there. Mr. Hagerman obviously gets it and my hat is off to him.
It’ll attract more attention than a Grand National in the same parking lot, and no one will give a hoot it’s not “accurate “
$8/cash/now/u deliver!!
“That’s stupid money for a stupid truck. Not even close” — says my very young son. I might add, the reason it’s stupid other than it being a later Ford, is it is only good as a static display. Without a hood and that plate over the grille opening you won’t be able to use it as a tow truck. Presuming the Holmes is even functional.
This is Ed,from Detroit.This is like waiting on a superbowl-ring,for your birthday! Im obviously a classic ford truck fanatic & I’ll happily take this jewel to THE WOODWARD CRUISE; I would swap out the stick&mate w/compatable auto trans?peace……