When you first see that blue tow truck rolling through the background of Cars 2, it’s easy to do a double-take. Honestly, you might just think Mater got a fancy new paint job for his spy mission. But if you look closer, the truck known as Ivan from Cars 2 is actually one of the most interesting "background" villains in the entire Pixar universe.
He’s not just some random background asset. He’s the muscle for the Hugo crime family. Basically, he’s the guy who does the heavy lifting—literally—for the Lemons.
The Mystery of the "Evil Mater"
Most people call him the "Evil Mater." It's a fair nickname, though. Ivan uses the exact same body mold as our favorite Rust-eze spokesperson, but with a few key differences that make him look way more menacing.
First off, Ivan isn't rusty. He’s a sleek, dark blue. He’s got a full set of teeth—no buck teeth here—and a black grille that looks remarkably like a thick mustache. It’s that classic "evil twin" trope, but executed with 1950s automotive flair. Specifically, he's modeled after a 1955 Chevrolet Task Force tow truck, though in the movie's lore, he's technically a 1983 Hookov H9. That's a weird bit of trivia, right? A truck that looks thirty years older than its model year.
- Eyes: Hazel/Green (unlike Mater's green)
- Rims: Shared with Mack (the transport truck)
- Specialty: Towing Victor Hugo, the head of the Hugo family
You've probably noticed that Ivan doesn't talk much. He’s voiced by Stanley Townsend, the same guy who voices Victor Hugo and Vladimir Trunkov. Pixar essentially gave Townsend a monopoly on the Eastern European "Lemon" voices in this film. It makes sense, though. It gives that whole faction a cohesive, gritty vibe.
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What Ivan Actually Does in the Movie
Ivan isn't the guy giving the orders, but he’s always there when things go sideways. He’s Victor Hugo’s personal transportation. Since Victor is a "Lemon" (a car prone to breaking down), Ivan has to tow him everywhere. It’s a weirdly loyal relationship for a group of international criminals.
One of his biggest moments happens in Porto Corsa.
Mater actually uses Ivan’s identity to sneak into the secret Lemon meeting. Holley Shiftwell has to taser the real Ivan to keep him out of the way. If you blink, you’ll miss the scene where the real Ivan wakes up, and he is not happy. He actually manages to capture Holley later on. That’s a pretty big deal! He’s one of the few henchmen who actually succeeds in taking down a spy, even if it’s only for a little while.
The London Showdown
During the climax in London, Ivan tries to take out Lightning McQueen. He’s manipulative, too. He distracts McQueen by pretending to be the tow truck McQueen saw earlier (which was actually Mater). It’s a clever bit of gaslighting that almost works.
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Ultimately, he gets knocked out by Mater and arrested by the British police. It’s a quick end for a guy who was technically the muscle for the entire operation.
Why Does a Blue Tow Truck Matter?
You might be wondering why fans care about a secondary villain.
It’s about the "Lemon" lore. Cars 2 gets a lot of flak for its plot, but the world-building is surprisingly deep. The Lemons aren't just bad guys; they’re outcasts. They’re the cars the world gave up on. Ivan represents the tough side of that group. He’s not a broken-down Yugo or a Gremlin; he’s a heavy-duty tow truck that chose to use his power to help the "failures."
There's a rumor in the Cars universe that Ivan once crushed a subcompact car just by dropping his tow boom on it. That’s pretty dark for a G-rated movie.
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Spotting Ivan in Your Collection
If you’re a collector, Ivan is a bit of a "holy grail" for die-cast fans. He was released in the 1:55 scale line, but he’s often confused with the "Mater as Ivan" variant.
How to tell the difference:
The "Mater as Ivan" toy usually has Mater’s signature green eyes and a slightly different expression. The real Ivan die-cast has those hazel eyes and a much more serious "I’m going to tow you into a ditch" look on his face.
If you want to see Ivan in action without rewatching the whole movie, you can actually play as him in Cars 2: The Video Game. Well, technically, he’s a "skin" for Mater, but it’s the closest you’ll get to driving the heavy-duty villain yourself.
Actionable Tips for Cars Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Ivan from Cars 2, here is what you should do next:
- Check the background in the Porto Corsa scene: Watch for the moment the "real" Ivan is hiding behind a crate after being tasered. It’s a great piece of visual storytelling.
- Compare the models: If you have the Mater die-cast, put it next to an image of Ivan. Look at the height of the hood; Ivan’s is slightly higher and more aggressive.
- Listen for the voice: Next time you watch, see if you can hear the subtle differences between Stanley Townsend’s performance as Victor Hugo versus Ivan.
Ivan might not be the main star, but he’s the backbone of the Lemon crew. He’s a reminder that even in a world of talking cars, you still need a tow truck to do the dirty work.