<Tr> <Th> Significant other (s) </Th> <Td> Holley Shiftwell </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Nationality </Th> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <P> Sir Tow Mater, KBE most commonly referred to as Tow Mater or simply Mater is a major character in Cars and its sequels, Cars 2 and Cars 3 as well as Cars Toons . He is voiced by Larry the Cable Guy and inspired by a 1956 - 57 International Harvester tow truck . Portrayed as Holley Shiftwell's best friend and Lightning McQueen's best friend and sidekick, he had a breakout role in Cars Toons: Mater's Tall Tales and in other media related to Cars . </P> <P> Mater's design is based on a 1956 - 57 International Harvester boom truck once used to lift equipment from mine shafts in Cherokee County, Kansas . The Route 66 town of Galena is named for the lead sulphite ore galena, to which the series of small mining towns around Baxter Springs owe their boom and subsequent bust . The original truck is currently based at a former Kan - O - Tex Service Station in Galena; the station was restored as a Route 66 diner and souvenir shop by Four Women on the Route one year after the film's 2006 release . </P>

Who does the voice for mater in cars