Villain Character from the Movie "Cars 2"

[Two-Stroke]

"Cars 2" is a spy-spoof -- a comedy set in a universe populated by cars -- a group of angry, frustrated lemon cars is vying for world domination. A team of spy cars, lead by a James Bond-like car (not an Aston Martin, interestingly), must stop these evil lemons.

A good spy comedy needs an outrageous villain. One of the best I've seen is the movie's "Professor Zundapp" (wikia page - contains spoilers). He's a weapons designer who creates a death ray to kill race cars as they compete.

Here's the real car -- a Zundapp Janus 750 - that the character is based on:

I remember seeing one of these rare cars many years ago. Notice that it has a door in the front and one in the back, with the back seat facing back. The thing I find irresistible is that it's powered by a single-cylinder, two-stroke engine with only a 250cc displacement.

 

[JDgreen]

Back about 1964 or 1965, one of my uncles had a Zundapp motorcycle, pretty sure it was a 250cc and I know it was a two stroke. I never really understood the purpose of installing tiny motorcycle engines in cars back when gas was so cheap, however. Thanks for sharing the info.

 

[Two-Stroke]

Here's a video of "Professor Zundapp". I think the artists did a great job on his face.

 

[Two-Stroke]

Here's a photo of a Zundapp Janus 750 with the doors open. Am I the only one who finds this a very interesting car -- not practical but interesting -- and a great choice on which to model a movie villain?

 

[JDgreen]

I have a friend who owns one of the BMW Isetta "bubble cars" like the 2 tone blue one in the background of the Zundapp. Front door opens like a hatch, same as the Z. No I don't think they picked a good choice, the Zundapp is too cute, looks like something Minnie Mouse would drive if she came to life....:laughing::laughing:

 

[Two-Stroke]

I have a friend who owns one of the BMW Isetta "bubble cars" like the 2 tone blue one in the background of the Zundapp. Front door opens like a hatch, same as the Z. No I don't think they picked a good choice, the Zundapp is too cute, looks like something Minnie Mouse would drive if she came to life....:laughing::laughing:

I remember those "bubble cars" very well -- they actually were not rare back in the 1960s when I was a full-tilt car nut.

Have you seen the movie? Professor Zundapp is a really funny character. He's kind of silly spoof of a typical mad, evil scientist.

 

[JDgreen]

I remember those "bubble cars" very well -- they actually were not rare back in the 1960s when I was a full-tilt car nut.

Have you seen the movie? Professor Zundapp is a really funny character. He's kind of silly spoof of a typical mad, evil scientist.

Have to wait until it comes out on HBO or Showtime, we never go to a movie house anymore.

 

[twall]

That thing takes the 'coming/going' look that people supposedly hated so much about the Studebakers in the late 40's/early 50's........to a new extreme! Kinda like the 2CV that had 3 wheels, and a door in the front.....

Neat car! Another toy that'd be cute in the movie, is a Crosley. I saw 2 for sale once, and it was so cool! The tiny dashboard reminded me of my mom's old toy kitchen set. The needles were so cheesy they were cute! About the size of a Nash Metropolitan. But way cheaper. Yo could tell it was made by an appliance company!

Does the villian gang have any Opals in it? :wink:

 

[JDgreen]

That thing takes the 'coming/going' look that people supposedly hated so much about the Studebakers in the late 40's/early 50's........to a new extreme! Kinda like the 2CV that had 3 wheels, and a door in the front.....

Neat car! Another toy that'd be cute in the movie, is a Crosley. I saw 2 for sale once, and it was so cool! The tiny dashboard reminded me of my mom's old toy kitchen set. The needles were so cheesy they were cute! About the size of a Nash Metropolitan. But way cheaper. Yo could tell it was made by an appliance company!

Does the villian gang have any Opals in it? :wink:

I have been subscribing to "Hemmings Classic Car" since it first began publishing. I always enjoy the features they have about older cars like Hudson, Nash, Crosley, Henry J, Packard, etc. What I like most about older cars is they all look different, not the "I'm a jellybean too" todays cars have.

 

[Two-Stroke]

...
Does the villian gang have any Opals in it? :wink:

No but the gang has Gremlins, Pacers, "Hugos" (meant to refer to Yugo), and "Trunkovs" (referring, I think, to a two-stroke car made in East Germany -- the name began with a "T" -- can anybody remember it?)

The Gremlins and Pacers speak with American "mob-guy" accents while the other two sound like Eastern Europe.