Topper Deckington III : le bus à impériale de Cars 2

Topper Deckington III: the double-decker bus from Cars 2

1259 words | Reading time: 7 minutes

CharacterCars 2Petroldilly Circus

A red bus without a single line of dialogue, and yet one of the symbols of the saga's London stopover. Topper Deckington III appears in Cars 2 (2011) as a double-decker modeled on the AEC Routemaster, an inspiration never confirmed by Pixar. The book Meet the Cars credits him with a daily route through Petroldilly Circus, a transposition of Piccadilly Circus. He rubs shoulders with Prince Wheeliam, Sgt. Highgear and the black cab Chauncy Fares. This profile details his design, his diffuse on-screen presence and his Mattel, Disney Store and Tomica versions.

In the London stopover of Cars 2 (2011), Topper Deckington III embodies the quintessential red double-decker bus. Conceived as a nod to London's iconic buses, he helps establish a typically British atmosphere in Pixar's automotive universe.

🧠 To dive back into the "legends & tradition" spirit of the saga, also read our article on Doc Hudson, the legendary mentor.

Summary

Who is Topper Deckington III?

Topper Deckington III is a London double-decker bus operating in the streets of London. Additional biographies (notably the book Meet the Cars) indicate that he enjoys his daily route through Petroldilly Circus, the "cars-ified" version of Piccadilly Circus. On screen, he is part of the animated backdrop of urban scenes, among other similar buses, without dialogue or a developed narrative role.

📖 It isn't the screen but the book Meet the Cars that tells of Topper's daily route through Petroldilly Circus: keep one of our Cars books on your shelf to read what the film leaves off screen.

Official character render of Topper Deckington III, a red double-decker bus, seen in three-quarter view on a white background
Topper Deckington III as Pixar presented him for Cars 2: a red double-decker whose daily route runs through Petroldilly Circus, the Piccadilly Circus of the Cars universe.

Design and characteristics

Visually, Topper Deckington III adopts the codes of the Routemaster (classic double-decker): bright red, two-level silhouette, and very British details. Some community resources mention designations like "RM-class AEC Routemaster" or "1968 Roadruler", but these terms are not found in any official Pixar source. The London Routemaster remains the most commonly accepted inspiration.

⚡ For the "technology & speed" counterpoint in Cars 3, discover the portrait of Jackson Storm.

A red AEC Routemaster double-decker bus stopped on a London street, next to a red telephone box
The real AEC Routemaster: bright red, two-tier silhouette and tall grille — the cues Topper Deckington III takes up, even though Pixar has never confirmed the inspiration. Photo: Jean-Marc Astesana from Voisins le Bretonneux, France, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Other London figures in Cars 2

Around Topper Deckington III, we encounter several notable British characters: Prince Wheeliam (a royal nod to Buckingham), Sgt. Highgear (palace guard), and the black cab Chauncy Fares. Together, they form a typically London gallery that grounds the action in an instantly recognizable setting.

Development artwork of the Buckingham Palace throne room for Cars 2: a vehicle wearing a crown sits enthroned at the center, surrounded by vintage British cars on a carpet bearing the royal arms
The royal Buckingham set imagined for Cars 2: it is this world that Prince Wheeliam points back to, one of the British characters surrounding Topper Deckington III along with Sgt. Highgear and the black cab Chauncy Fares.

👔 Among Topper's London neighbours, Sgt. Highgear stands guard at the palace: a post that tolerates no sloppy dress. Knot one of our Cars ties the day you have to stand straight too.

On-screen presence: spotting and limitations

In the London sequences, numerous red double-deckers are circulating. It is therefore difficult to precisely identify Topper in every shot. Official and community fact sheets mention him, but without a unique shot clearly isolating him on screen.

🏁 On the racing side, continue reading with the focus on Cruz Ramirez, the heroine who shakes things up.

🛋️ No shot really isolates Topper among the red double-deckers of the London sequences: to spot him, you have to replay the scene on a loop, settled on your sofa under one of our Cars blankets.

Merchandise and collections

The character has been released as Mattel 1:55 (Deluxe), in Disney Store 1:43 formats, and as Tomica C-39 (Takara Tomy, 2015). A Double Decker Bus Carry Case was also marketed, although this model is sometimes more generic and does not always bear Topper's name. In any case, it remains a sought-after piece by collectors of the London arc of Cars 2.

A die-cast metal model of the red double-decker bus Topper Deckington III on a white background, with the destination blind “13 Killswitch” and a British flag on its side
The Tomica die-cast from Takara Tomy reproduces the “13 Killswitch” destination blind and the slogan “Fly the United Kingdom” painted on the bus's side.

Summary table

Name Topper Deckington III
First appearance Cars 2 (2011)
Role Red double-decker bus from London, iconic background element
Inspired model Routemaster AEC (unofficial inspiration)
Associated location Petroldilly Circus (Cars version of Piccadilly Circus)
Voice actor Not specified (mute character)
Merchandise Mattel 1:55 Deluxe, Disney Store 1:43, Tomica C-39 (Takara Tomy, 2015)
Other related characters Prince Wheeliam, Sgt. Highgear, Chauncy Fares
Status in lore Secondary character / symbolic decor

One last "press & track" nod: find the voice of RSN with our next-gen file... and prepare your display case!

FAQ

  • Does Topper Deckington III have a speaking role?
    No, he has no dialogue on screen.
  • Is he based on a real bus model?
    Yes, he is inspired by the famous London Routemaster.
  • Is he identifiable in all shots?
    No, several double-deckers appear, making identification difficult.
  • Is he part of the main Cars canon?
    Yes, as a London background element in Cars 2.

Conclusion

Without being a major protagonist, Topper Deckington III embodies Cars 2's tribute to London symbols. His recognizable design and presence in street scenes make him an ambassador of British aesthetics within the franchise, appreciated by both viewers and Cars collectors.

And if you want to complete your reading with another perspective on the evolution of the saga, head to the article dedicated to Cruz Ramirez before choosing your favorite poster from the Cars Posters.

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