Trike Feldman : le marchand ambulant de Cars 2

Feldman the Trike: Cars 2's Street Vendor

1277 words | Reading time: 7 minutes

CharacterCars 2Porto Corsa

His name comes not from the film but from the toy’s box. This red utility three-wheeler crosses the Porto Corsa background for only a few moments in Cars 2, loaded with souvenirs featuring Francesco Bernoulli, while Finn McMissile speeds by in mid-chase. Mattel released it in late 2013 as a Super Chase, a category with a very limited run, with American flags on the trailer where the screen shows Italian flags. His surname is thought to refer to Pixar animator Ike Feldman. This profile details his design, his rarity and his function as scenery.

Table of Contents

In Cars 2, each character helps bring to life the locations visited during the World Grand Prix. Among these secondary characters is the one known, through the Mattel toy lines, as Trike Feldman: a small street vendor inspired by Italian three-wheeled vehicles, who sells souvenirs featuring Francesco Bernoulli to spectators. Although his name never appears in the film, this merchandising-derived name has become the one commonly used by fans. To extend the racing atmosphere at home, take a look at our Cars race tracks.

Who is Trike Feldman?

The character appears briefly during the Porto Corsa race. It is a red utility three-wheeler clearly inspired by the famous Italian three-wheeled vehicles. In the film, he is seen in the background as Finn McMissile passes through the area during a chase. His role is entirely visual, with no notable interaction or dialogue, but he contributes to grounding the scene in Italian aesthetics. If you prefer remote-controlled action, discover our selection of remote-controlled Cars.

Small red three-wheeled delivery truck parked in a cobbled Italian alley, next to a souvenir stand in the Italian colours and figurines fallen on the ground, in front of an orange coach looking surprised
Trike Feldman and his souvenir stand, glimpsed for a few moments in the background in the alleys of Porto Corsa.

Trike Feldman's Design

The three-wheeler features a bright red body, typical of Italian utility vehicles. It carries souvenirs featuring Francesco Bernoulli in the back, which he sells to spectators at the Porto Corsa race (according to the Pixar Wiki). The visible accessories enhance its functional aspect, with no canonical details beyond what the image shows. Street race or seaside, the weather can be surprising: Cars umbrellas add a practical touch to Grand Prix days.

🔑 Trike Feldman sells spectators souvenirs featuring Francesco Bernoulli; the same kind of souvenir fits in your pocket with our Cars keychains.

Red three-wheeled Piaggio Ape, enclosed cab at the front and open bed at the back, parked on a mountain village road
A red Piaggio Ape: the type of Italian three-wheeled utility vehicle that inspired Trike Feldman's silhouette. Photo: Iolanda Pensa, CC BY-SA 4.0.

A Sought-After Collector's Item

Trike Feldman was released by Mattel as a Super Chase (late 2013 / 2014 release), a category with a very limited run. According to the mention on the product packaging, these Super Chase are "no more than 4,000 units produced." This status, coupled with his fleeting screen appearance, makes him a highly coveted collector's item.

The die-cast version has a notable peculiarity: American flags on the trailer, whereas on screen the three-wheeler has Italian flags — a discrepancy between the toy and the film noted by fans (Pixar Wiki). This difference is generally considered a design or packaging decision, and not a canonical element. To compare with the next wave of ultra-modern racers, also discover the portrait of Next-Gen Ryan "Inside" Laney.

A Likely Homage to a Pixar Artist

According to the Cars wikis, the name "Trike Feldman" is said to be an allusion to Pixar animator Ike Feldman, as the franchise is known for slipping in tributes to its teams. However, this interpretation remains unofficially unconfirmed and should be considered a hypothesis. On the Next-Gen side, another article to read: Barry DePedal (RPM #64).

🧩 In Porto Corsa, Pixar fills the scenery with vendors, tourists and fans you only spot by combing through the image; on your table, our Cars puzzles are pored over the same way, piece after piece.

Entrance gateway of Pixar Animation Studios, large metal letters above the access drive, campus buildings in the background
The entrance to the Pixar studios: the studio habitually slips nods to its team members into its films. Photo: Coolcaesar, CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Role of Secondary Characters in Cars 2

Even though Trike Feldman appears for less than a second on screen, his existence illustrates Pixar's philosophy: to populate the setting with believable characters who reinforce cultural immersion. In Porto Corsa, merchants, tourists, and supporters reflect the atmosphere of a major car race in Italy. To measure the stylistic gap with the next generation, check out the Next-Gen profile Aaron Clocker (Re-Volting #48).

Three commentator cars wearing headsets in a glass-walled World Grand Prix studio, in front of a window looking out over the harbour of Porto Corsa and its packed grandstands
The RSN commentators are broadcasting the Porto Corsa leg: Cars 2 fills each of its sets with secondary figures that make the race believable.

Summary Table

Element Verified Data
Name Used Trike Feldman (from merchandising)
Appearance Cars 2 (2011)
Location Porto Corsa (Italy)
Vehicle Type Utility three-wheeler
Color Red
Dialogue None
Toy Specificity American flags on the toy (Italian flags on screen)

FAQ

  • Is Trike Feldman named in the movie?
    No, his name comes exclusively from Mattel merchandising.
  • Does he speak in Cars 2?
    No, he has no dialogue.
  • Is he visible on screen for a long time?
    No, he appears very briefly in the background in Porto Corsa.
  • Why is his figure rare?
    It is part of the Super Chase series with a very limited run.
  • Are the flags on the trailer canonical?
    On screen he sports Italian flags; the die-cast version replaces them with American flags, which is not canonical.

Conclusion: A Small Character for a Big Universe

Trike Feldman may only be visible for a fraction of a second in Cars 2, but he embodies an essential aspect of the saga's worldbuilding: cultural coherence and the vitality of the Italian scenes. Inspired by Italian three-wheelers and popularized through merchandising, he occupies a unique place in the Cars universe, appreciated by collectors and fans attentive to every detail.

🧱 What Trike Feldman brings to Cars 2 is the vitality of the Italian scenes; our Cars metal decorative plaques hang a piece of it on your bedroom wall.

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