What real vehicle inspired Mater’s design in Pixar’s Cars?

A 1951 International Harvester Boom Truck inspired Mater’s design in Pixar’s Cars.

Mater is Radiator Springs’ rusty tow truck and Lightning McQueen’s best friend. His appearance combines the tall, work-focused shape of an International Harvester truck with visual details associated with older rural tow vehicles. The design helps communicate his practical job and his unpolished but warm personality.

Mater’s full name is Tow Mater, a pun on “tomato.” Although he is not portrayed as a high-performance vehicle, he becomes central to the comedy and emotional story of the franchise. Cars 2 expands his role by making his unusual behavior the source of an accidental international spy adventure, while Cars 3 returns more attention to his friendship with McQueen.