Strip « The King » Weathers : la légende de Cars

"The King" Strip Weathers: The Legend of Cars

987 words | Reading time: 5 minutes

CharacterPiston CupDinoco

Seven Piston Cup titles, and one last race that turns to disaster. Strip "The King" Weathers is a 1970 Plymouth Superbird painted in Dinoco blue, number 43, the emblem of the Dinoco team for decades. The character is a direct tribute to Richard Petty, the NASCAR legend, who lends him his voice in the original version, while his wife Lynda is voiced by Lynda Petty. Victim of a serious crash in the final orchestrated by Chick Hicks, he remains Lightning McQueen's mentor. This profile retraces his record, his model and his appearances in Cars 1 and 3.

Summary


Introduction: Strip "The King" Weathers, the track legend

A 1970 Plymouth Superbird, the model that inspired The King
A 1970 Plymouth Superbird, the model of Strip "The King" Weathers. Photo: Dennis Elzinga, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

In the world of Cars, Strip "The King" Weathers is the veteran Piston Cup champion. A seven-time winner, he is the wise figure of the tracks who inspires and advises Lightning McQueen.

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Blue Cars Car - Strip "The King" Weathers from Dinoco

The Dinoco legend

Blue Cars Car - Strip "The King" Weathers from Dinoco

Strip "The King" Weathers in Dinoco blue: the most respected Piston Cup record joins your grid.

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Who is The King?

Strip Weathers, nicknamed "The King", is a 1970 Plymouth Superbird painted in Dinoco blue. He wears number 43 and races for the Dinoco team, for which he has been an emblem for decades.

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Strip “The King” Weathers, a Dinoco blue number 43 Plymouth Superbird, at full speed seen in profile on the track
Dinoco blue, number 43 and a raised rear wing: the Plymouth Superbird silhouette that makes The King unmistakable.

Seven-time Piston Cup champion

The King is a seven-time Piston Cup champion. The film's season is set to be his last race: he aspires to retire with a victory. His experience and wisdom make him a natural mentor for Lightning McQueen.

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The golden winged Piston Cup trophy, lit against a dark background
The Piston Cup: The King lifted it seven times before the season the film recounts.

A tribute to Richard Petty

The King is a direct tribute to Richard Petty, NASCAR legend nicknamed "The King" in real life. The number 43 and the Plymouth Superbird replicate those of the driver — who also voices the character in the original version.

Black and white photo of Richard Petty in a light racing suit, crouching in front of his number 43 Plymouth race car on the grass of a racetrack
Richard Petty in front of his No. 43 Plymouth in 1973: the driver nicknamed “The King” lent the character his number, his make and his voice in the original version. Photo: State Archives of North Carolina Raleigh, NC, CC0.

The King's personality

  • wise, calm, and respected by all
  • fair play and committed to the values of sport
  • benevolent mentor to the younger generation
  • loyal to his Dinoco team and his wife Lynda
The King, number 43, flanked by two cars in front of the lit Dinoco sign at night
Under the Dinoco sign: The King alongside his wife Lynda, loyal to the team he has been the face of for decades.

Anecdotes

  • The King is voiced in the original version by Richard Petty himself, 7-time NASCAR champion
  • his wife, Mrs. The King (Lynda), is voiced by Lynda Petty, the driver's real wife
  • his 1970 Plymouth Superbird and his number 43 are those of Richard Petty
  • he is involved in a serious accident in the final, orchestrated by Chick Hicks
The King runs wheel to wheel with a green race car on the straight of a racetrack
The final metres before the crash in the last race: Chick Hicks, the green car, goes for The King’s wheel.

Summary table

Element Detail
Car type Plymouth Superbird (1970)
Color Dinoco Blue
Number 43
Team Dinoco
Achievements 7-time Piston Cup champion
Voice (VO) Richard Petty
Appearances Cars 1, 3

Also read

Also read: all Piston Cup drivers (Cars 1), the field that The King dominated for years.


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

Also read: Fred, Lightning McQueen's #1 rusty fan, all Piston Cup champions.


FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is The King in Cars?
    Strip "The King" Weathers is a 1970 Plymouth Superbird, a seven-time Piston Cup champion and a figure of the Dinoco team.
  • Why does The King wear number 43?
    In homage to Richard Petty, a NASCAR legend nicknamed "The King," whose favorite number it was.
  • Who voices The King in the original version?
    The character is voiced by Richard Petty himself, and his wife by Lynda Petty.
  • What car is The King?
    It's a 1970 Plymouth Superbird in Dinoco blue colors.
Cars Strip "The King" Weathers T-Shirt

In the King's colors

Cars Strip "The King" Weathers T-Shirt

Wear Dinoco blue with this King t-shirt — the elegance of a champion, minus the spoiler.

€32.90 View t-shirt
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