Fred from Cars: Lightning McQueen's #1 Rusty Fan
547 mots | Temps de lecture : 2 minute(s)
CharacterLightning McQueenRust-eze
Fred is convinced that Lightning McQueen knows his name, when in fact he is simply reading it off his plate. This completely rusty car hangs around near the Rust-eze tent after the opening race of Cars (2006), his plate reading “FRED”. When the star reads those letters aloud, the fan explodes with joy and loses his front bumper over it, never grasping the misunderstanding. In the original version, he is voiced by Andrew Stanton, the Pixar director of WALL·E. This profile looks back at a supporter from the stands of the Piston Cup.
Summary
- Who is Fred?
- His iconic license plate gag
- Voiced by… the director
- Symbol of Cars fans
- Summary table
- FAQ
Who is Fred?
Fred is a minor but unforgettable character in Cars (2006): a totally rusty car, the #1 fan of racing and Lightning McQueen. We see him near the Rust-eze tent after the opening race, overjoyed at the idea of approaching his hero.
His iconic license plate gag
His moment of glory lies in a brilliant detail: his license plate simply reads "FRED". When Lightning McQueen reads his name aloud, Fred is convinced that the star knows him personally and explodes with joy — "He knows my name!" — to the point of losing his front bumper. He never realizes his name is written right there, before his eyes.
Fred's hero
Cars Lightning McQueen Car - Rusteze Edition
Lightning McQueen's car in Rust-eze livery, the rusty fan's idol, in collectible diecast.
Voiced by… the director
A delightful nod: in the original version, Fred is voiced by Andrew Stanton, a Pixar director (Finding Nemo, WALL·E) and a regular in the studio's small voice roles. The creator behind the camera who lends his voice to the #1 fan.
Symbol of Cars fans
Beyond the gag, Fred embodies the devoted supporters who populate the stands of the Piston Cup. One of those background characters who make the world of Cars so vibrant and endearing.
🏁 Dive into the first movie with our Cars collection.
Summary table
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Rusty car |
| Role | #1 fan of Lightning McQueen |
| Gag | "He knows my name!" (his license plate reads FRED) |
| Film | Cars (2006) |
| Original Voice | Andrew Stanton (Pixar director) |
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Fred in Cars?
A rusty car, #1 fan of Lightning McQueen, a minor comedic character in the first film.
Where does Fred's gag come from?
His license plate reads "FRED"; when McQueen reads his name, Fred believes the star knows him and gets so excited he loses his bumper.
Who voices Fred?
Andrew Stanton, a Pixar director, in the original version.
Where does Fred appear in the movie?
Near the Rust-eze tent, after the season's opening race.