Sir Harley Gassup : Le Lord Steward de la Reine dans Cars 2

Sir Harley Gassup: The Queen's Lord Steward in Cars 2

1026 words | Reading time: 6 minutes

CharacterCars 2Buckingham Palace

He is the one who presents Mater to the Queen on the day of his knighting. Sir Harley Gassup serves as Lord Steward in the London part of Cars 2 (2011): he is glimpsed alongside the Queen during the World Grand Prix leg, then at Buckingham Palace for the ceremony. Never named aloud, he is identified by Mattel merchandise and is limited to a brief introductory line. His fastback silhouette is associated with a Tatra 87, and his name salutes production designer Harley Jessup. This profile details his role, his design and his 1:55 die-cast in its Chase version.

Summary

Sir Harley Gassup is a minor character in Cars 2, seen in the London segment of the film. Serving as the Queen's Lord Steward, he appears alongside her during the London race and then at Mater's knighting ceremony at Buckingham Palace. To immerse yourself even more in the atmosphere of the paddocks and tracks, discover our Cars race tracks.

Who is Sir Harley Gassup?

Present on screen but never named aloud, Sir Harley Gassup is officially identified by Mattel's Cars 2 merchandise, where he appears as a full-fledged character. His role as a court official involves presenting and overseeing the protocol ceremonies related to the royal automobile family. If you're following the London spy arc, also read the profile of the plot's mastermind, Professor Zündapp.

Official render of Sir Harley Gassup, a grey sedan with three round headlights and a moustache-shaped grille
Sir Harley Gassup, the Queen's Lord Steward: never named out loud on screen, he is identified through Mattel's merchandising for the Cars 2 line.

👔 The title of the Queen's Lord Steward holds Sir Harley Gassup to protocol down to the millimetre: when it's your turn to look the part, our Cars ties take care of the collar.

Design and Inspirations

His design incorporates the lines of a classic sedan with a solemn appearance. The franchise's reference documents associate him with a Tatra 87, a nod to Central European car bodies, with a streamlined silhouette and a characteristic fastback profile. This approach reinforces the stylistic diversity of the vehicles seen in London. And in the British rain, think of our Cars umbrellas to stay on theme.

Silver 1947 Tatra 87 on display in a museum, streamlined body and three front headlights
The Tatra 87, a Czechoslovak sedan with a fastback profile and three headlights, is the model to which the franchise links the character's silhouette. Photo: Hakjosef, CC BY-SA 4.0.

On-Screen in Cars 2

He is first seen near the Queen during the London leg of the World Grand Prix, then at Buckingham Palace, where he presents Mater to the Queen when he is made an honorary knight. His presence, even if brief, contributes to the protocol realism and royal tone of the British scenes. To contextualize the field of international racers, take a look at the file on Raoul ÇaRoule.

🧳 After the London leg of the World Grand Prix, Sir Harley Gassup presents Mater to the Queen at Buckingham Palace: for your own stops abroad, our Cars suitcases travel with you.

Lightning McQueen and Mater pass through the gilded doors of a red-carpeted room in Buckingham Palace
Lightning McQueen and Mater arrive at Buckingham Palace, where the tow truck is about to be made an honorary knight.

A Homage Name

As is often the case at Pixar, his surname is an internal nod: "Harley" refers to production designer Harley Jessup. This tradition of honoring the team strengthens the link between the film's creators and their gallery of secondary characters. For analyses and data in the saga, find the profile of Natalie Certain.

In Merchandise

Sir Harley Gassup was released as a 1:55 die-cast (notably in a Chase version) in Mattel's Cars 2 line. The miniature depicts his role as a court dignitary and his distinctive features, making him a sought-after piece by collectors of the London sequence. To complement the collection at home, think of our Cars mugs.

💎 Mattel fits the court dignitary into a 1:55 die-cast, Chase version included; that same taste for the miniature goes on your ears with our Cars earrings.

What he brings to the universe

  • Reinforcement of royal protocol in the London scenes.
  • Diversity of automotive inspirations within the British setting.
  • Perpetuation of internal tributes to the Pixar team.
Great hall of Buckingham Palace, a red carpet leading to the throne beneath the chandeliers, with hundreds of cars gathered
The room where Mater is made an honorary knight: the ceremonial setting of the London scenes in Cars 2, the ones where the Lord Steward officiates.

Summary Table

Element Verified Data
Name Sir Harley Gassup
Function Queen's Lord Steward
Film Cars 2 (2011)
Main Location London / Buckingham Palace
Design Basis Tatra 87 (documentary reference)
Dialogue A brief introductory line during the knighting ceremony

FAQ

  • Is Sir Harley Gassup named in the film?
    No, his name comes from the official merchandise.
  • Does he speak on screen?
    Yes, he delivers a brief introductory line during the knighting ceremony.
  • What is his exact role?
    He serves as the Queen's Lord Steward.
  • Is his design based on a real vehicle?
    Yes, reference documents associate him with a Tatra 87.
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