Lizzie : La doyenne excentrique de Radiator Springs

Lizzie: The Eccentric Dean of Radiator Springs

795 words | Reading time: 4 minutes

CharacterRadiator SpringsStanley

Radiator Springs' living memory is a 1923 Ford Model T. Lizzie, the widow of Stanley, the town's founder, runs Radiator Springs Curios, the shop of kitschy souvenirs meant for the town's rare visitors. According to community fact sheets, Stanley is said to have fallen in love with her as she was driving through town. Her name refers to the “Tin Lizzie,” the Ford Model T's nickname. Frank, absent-minded and with a quirky sense of humor, she is voiced in the original version by Katherine Helmond (1929-2019). This profile traces her story.

Summary

Introduction: Lizzie, Radiator Springs' Matriarch

A Ford Model T 'Tin Lizzie', the model Lizzie is inspired by
A Ford Model T, nicknamed "Tin Lizzie" — hence the character's name. Photo: Sergey Rodovnichenko, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

In the world of Cars, Lizzie is the oldest resident of Radiator Springs. Stanley's widow, the town's founder, she is its living memory — not without a good dose of eccentricity.

📘 To discover the founder, also read Stanley.

🚙 Your personal starting grid begins here: our Cars miniature cars.

Who is Lizzie?

Lizzie is a 1923 Ford Model T, the oldest car in Radiator Springs. She runs the gift shop Radiator Springs Curios, filled with items related to the town's history.

🎨 Every wall can become a legendary straightaway — all it takes is a Cars poster.

Lizzie, the black Ford Model T from Cars, seen from a front three-quarter angle against a light background
Lizzie, a 1923 Ford Model T: the oldest car in Radiator Springs.

Lizzie and Stanley, the Founding Story

Lizzie is the widow of Stanley, the founder of Radiator Springs. According to community records, Stanley fell in love with her as she was passing through town — a love story closely linked to the community's origins.

🏁 Start your day with our Cars mugs.

Two old Ford Model Ts side by side, one wearing a bridal veil and holding a bouquet of roses, in front of the Radiator Springs building, sepia-toned image
Stanley and Lizzie on their wedding day, in front of the building that bears the name Radiator Springs: a love story tied to the very origins of the town.

Lizzie's Personality

  • aged and a bit distracted, with a quirky sense of humor
  • frank, she says what she thinks without mincing words
  • deeply attached to the memory of Stanley and the town
  • endearing with her eccentric side
Lizzie with an orange traffic cone sitting on her roof, next to a jukebox under the pink neon lights of a café
A traffic cone on the roof, a jukebox next to her: all the offbeat humour of the town's eldest resident.

Anecdotes

  • Lizzie is voiced in the original version by Katherine Helmond (1929-2019)
  • her shop, Radiator Springs Curios, sells kitschy souvenirs to rare visitors
  • as a 1923 Model T, she is the oldest vehicle in Radiator Springs
  • she maintains a touching affection for her late husband Stanley
The neon-lit front of the Radiator Springs Curios shop, with its Souvenirs, Bric-a-brac, Western Junk and Rare Hubcaps signs
Radiator Springs Curios, Lizzie's shop: souvenirs, bric-a-brac and rare hubcaps for the rare visitors.

Summary Table

Element Detail
Car Type Ford Model T (1923)
Role Radiator Springs Matriarch
Business Radiator Springs Curios (souvenirs)
Spouse Stanley (town founder)
VO Voice Katherine Helmond
Appearances Cars 1, 2, 3

Also read: the real car that inspired Lizzie — and all the other Cars characters.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is Lizzie in Cars?
    Lizzie is a 1923 Ford Model T, the matriarch of Radiator Springs and the widow of its founder, Stanley.
  • What is Lizzie's business?
    She runs Radiator Springs Curios, the town's souvenir shop.
  • Who voices Lizzie in the original version?
    Lizzie is voiced by actress Katherine Helmond.
  • What is the connection between Lizzie and Stanley?
    Lizzie is the widow of Stanley, the founder of Radiator Springs, who fell in love with her.
Black Cars Car from Radiator Springs - Lizzie

Matriarch and Proud

Black Cars Car from Radiator Springs - Lizzie

Lizzie in vintage black diecast: the memory of Radiator Springs, strong personality as a standard option.

€14.90 View car
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