Tomber (pronounced tom-bay) is a supporting character in the 2011 Disney•Pixar animated film Cars 2. He is a black market auto-parts dealer from Paris, France, who is also an informant, and an ally, of Finn McMissile.
Background
- Finn: "Tomber was doing 20-to-life in a Moroccan impound the first time I saved him, if I recall correctly."
- Tomber: "Speaking of recalls, you're getting up there in mileage, aren't you, Finn?"
- ―Finn explaining Tomber's past to Holley.
Tomber was serving a 20-to-life sentence in a Moroccan impound lot before being saved by Finn McMissile. The two developed a close friendship with Tomber becoming Finn's most trusted informant while also working as a black market auto-parts dealer in Paris, France.
Official Description
"Tombér is a dubious little French car with an unusual, and very unstable, three-wheeled design that befits the meaning of his name–to fall. By trade, he deals car parts from a stall in a Parisian market—though his questionable merchandise sources have led to his reluctant acquaintance with British secret agent Finn McMissile."
Personality
At first, Tomber appears to be a shady con man who tries to bribe his customers into paying him with their money. However, upon his interactions with Finn McMissile, it is revealed that Tomber is actually a kind and helpful individual who is willing to give him information to help him, Holley and Mater with their mission. Tomber's willingness to help spies comes from being grateful to Finn McMissile for saving him from being imprisoned at an impound lot in Morocco. Tomber also can become good friends with anyone who shares knowledge with car parts, as shown with Mater where they were both impressed with each other's knowledge.
Physical appearance
Tomber largely resembles the English Reliant Regal three-wheeler, but also bears similarities to a French Citroën AMI, most notably in his double-headlight structure. The Citroën DS also seems to have been an inspiration, mainly for the position of his rear turning indicators, which are situated in the upper corners of his rear window.
John Lasseter said about Tomber's design: "We made up our own three-wheeler. I love French auto design of the early '50s, '60s, early '70s of Citroëns, Renaults, and Peugeots. They're so unique. So we kind of pulled from a lot of our favorite older French cars and kind of merged it together into this car."
Tomber's license plate is PCS NO1R, an abbreviation for the French "pièces noires," a reference to the black market parts which he deals.
Appearances
Cars 2
Tomber is seen at the Marché Aux Pièces located in Paris, talking to someone before he notices Mater suddenly backing away and hiding. Upon closer inspection, Tomber notices Finn McMissile's reflection through various ornaments, causing him to flee. Tomber is pursued throughout the market and makes several attempts to lose his pursuers, only for them to keep their trail on him. When Holley Shiftwell suddenly appears in front of him, Tomber tries to turn left, only for his three-wheeled design make him tumble over and crash into a pile of tires. Holley then uses her taser on Tomber, only to stopped by Finn who angrily reprimands her and orders Mater to tow Tomber.
Tomber is taken to a small building inside the market where he angrily confronts Finn for Holley using her taser on him, only to be told that Holley was new to being a field agent and did not know that Tomber was actually his informant, something that surprises Holley. Tomber rebuffs Holley for being a rookie and happily shares some memories with Finn when he recounts the time of saving Tomber from a Moroccan impound lot many years ago. Holley then shows the picture of a Rover V8 engine that she and Finn received from Mater (who had unknowingly received from Rod "Torque" Redline before he was captured and killed) with Tomber, at first, being instantly disgusted at the sight of the engine, saying it is the worst motor ever made. However, Tomber notices several boxes of rare parts in the photograph next to the engine, revealing to the agents that he sold these very same parts to a car, but does not know who he is as he always did business with him on the phone. Tomber confesses he always wondered why he needed so many parts, but now he claims to know.
This makes Mater point out that the owner of the engine is a lemon car and proceeds to explain the meaning of the slang to Finn and Holley, which is used to refer to a defective car. He then identifies Gremlins, Pacers, Hugos, and Trunkovs as lemons, which makes Holley realize that everyone in the plot to sabotage the World Grand Prix is a lemon. Finn takes it from there and deduces that the four Lemon families are taking orders from the car behind the engine. At the sound of this, Tomber reveals that the Lemons leaders are hosting a secret meeting in Porto Corsa, Italy, which is also where the second race will take place, and the Lemon Kingpin will most likely be there as well. Tomber tells them that their chances to find the Lemon Kingpin are more than good as he had just recently sent him new parts to Porto Corsa. As Holley and Finn make preparations to go to Porto Corsa, Tomber and Mater cordially acknowledge each other, as Tomber was clearly impressed with the tow truck's knowledge in auto parts just as Mater was impressed with Tomber's as well.
Cars 2: The Video Game
Tomber is an unlockable playable character in Cars 2: The Video Game, unlocked once access to Clearance Level 6 has been granted. He is a light weight vehicle, with lots of speed and little power.
Gallery
Promotional
Concept Art
Screenshots
Merchandise
Trivia
- Tomber was originally supposed to be a member of the Lemons, according to early concept art.
- His name is French for the verb "to fall".
