Mater: The Tow Truck with a Heart of Gold in Disney Infinity 1.0
Oh, What a Character!
When I think about the Disney Infinity Cars collection, Mater absolutely steals the show. This charming Disney Infinity Mater Figure brings all the heart and humor of that beloved tow truck right into my collector's hands. There's something magical about how Disney captured his quirky personality in plastic form - from his rusty orange-brown finish with hints of faded blue showing through, to those pistachio-green eyes with orange rims and those signature crooked buck teeth. The moment I held this figure, I was transported right back to my first viewing of Cars, laughing at Mater's tall tales and his unconditional friendship with Lightning McQueen.
The Sculpt That Tells a Story
What I absolutely adore about this figure is how the sculptors nailed Mater's goofball charm. Standing about 3 inches tall, he's the perfect addition to any display shelf. The paint work is impressive - the rusty, weathered appearance of his truck body is hand-detailed beautifully, with that dusty, lived-in feel that makes him look ready to tow anything that needs towing. Those big crooked teeth and goofy expression capture his personality better than I could have imagined. His tires, included as accessories, complete the look perfectly.
Gaming Magic: His Role in Cars Play Set
In Disney Infinity 1.0, Mater is one of the four main playable characters in the Cars Play Set, right alongside Lightning McQueen, Holley Shiftwell, and Francesco Bernoulli. The game described him perfectly: "Radiator Springs' resident tow truck. He's ready to roll and fixin' to get funky!" The Cars Play Set takes place in Radiator Springs as you help prepare for an International Race Invitational. What makes Mater special in the game is his signature towing ability - he can tow cars, objects, and other players, making him the ultimate helper in true Mater fashion.
As you progress through his skill tree, you unlock abilities to increase machine gun ammo, improve jump height, charge turbo boost faster, and pull off faster air tricks. His own adventure, "Mater's Tow 'n' Go," becomes available as you unlock it through gameplay. The character development features standard Cars driving mechanics - 180-degree turns, drifting, jumping, reversing, and of course, turbo boosts and air tricks.
A Figure That Keeps on Giving
One of my favorite things about Mater is that he appeared across all three Disney Infinity generations. He came back in 2.0 and 3.0, with expanded abilities and even appearances in later game modes like Toy Box Speedway. As a launch character from August 18, 2013, he was produced in good quantities, making him a relatively accessible figure for collectors. Voice acting legend Larry the Cable Guy brought Mater to life, and you can almost hear his distinctive drawl when you look at this figure.
Why This Tow Truck Matters to Me
There's a scene early in Cars where Mater accepts Lightning McQueen without hesitation, without judgment. He becomes his best friend instantly. That pure-hearted friendship, that loyalty - it's what draws me back to this character again and again. The Disney Infinity Mater Figure lets me keep that spirit of unconditional friendship right on my shelf. When I look at this figure, I see not just a tow truck, but a reminder that the best friendships are built on acceptance and laughter. As Mater would say, "I'm happier than a tornado in a trailer park!" - and owning this figure makes me feel just that happy.
I've decided to add Mater to my needs list on the Collectiblz app, and I'm thrilled about it. You can see my complete Disney Infinity needs list here if you'd like to help me complete my collection!
