- "Make sure you stop by New Orleans for some of that sweet jazz, baby!"
- —Flo, Dino Park
Flo is a character that debuted in Cars, first appearing when Lightning McQueen comes speeding through Radiator Springs. She serves as the proprietor of Flo's V8 Café. She is Ramone's wife as well as a former showgirl.
Flo's backstory is detailed in the World of Cars storybook, where she, Rhonda, Laverne, and Sheila arrive in Radiator Springs after Ms. Victoria breaks down and befriend Ramone.
Since her debut, Flo has become a recurring character in the Cars series.
History
Cars
Flo and Ramone
In Cars, Flo is one of the townsfolk who are mad at Lightning for ripping up the main road. She is always talking to Lightning and the others, as she owns the gas station.
Cars: The Videogame
In Cars: The Videogame, Flo appears as a playable character in arcade mode, and can be unlocked by purchasing her for 6,000 bonus points. Her stats are 4 for speed, 4 for acceleration, 2 for handling, and 3 for stability.
In story mode, Flo first appears in the cut-scene for Sally's Sunshine Circuit, where she decides to join the race with Sally, Mia, and Tia. Then she appears in the race. Usually, she comes in last place.
Cars: Radiator Springs Adventures
In Cars: Radiator Springs Adventures, Flo hires Lightning to serve drinks to customers during rush hour.
Mater and the Ghostlight
Flo and Guido in Mater and the Ghostlight.
In Mater and the Ghostlight, Flo is one of the townsfolk listening to Sheriff's story. She later helps the others trick Mater into thinking that the Ghostlight is chasing him by placing a lamp on his tow hook.
Cars: Mater-National Championship
Flo re-appears as a playable character in Cars: Mater-National Championship, this time being unlocked by default. Her stats are 5 for boost, 1 for acceleration, 3 for acceleration, and 5 for stability.
During story mode, Flo competes in events such as Fillmore's Nature Preserve and Luigi and Guido's Team Relay 2, where she is on a team with Lightning and Ramone.
Cars Toons
Mater the Greater
Flo and other Radiator Springs residents in Mater the Greater.
In Mater the Greater, Flo makes a cameo at her café, serving her customers before Mater tells his story.
Tokyo Mater
In Tokyo Mater, Flo watches as Sheriff takes pursuit of Boost, Wingo and DJ before Mater begins his story.
Heavy Metal Mater
In Heavy Metal Mater, Flo makes another cameo at the beginning of the short, watching Guido as he sings karaoke.
Monster Truck Mater
In Monster Truck Mater, Flo can be seen in her usual place at her café.
Mater Private Eye
Mater Private Eye
In Mater Private Eye, Lightning asks Flo if she can help fix his flat tire, leading Mater into his story about how he was once a private investigator.
Hiccups
In Hiccups, Flo appears at the very beginning of the short, greeting Lightning and giving him a can of Motor Oil.
Cars: Race-O-Rama
In Cars: Race-O-Rama, Flo appears as a playable character, and also competes in various events in story mode.
The World of Cars Online
In The World of Cars Online, Flo could be seen as an NPC outside of Flo's V8 Café. During the Thanksgiving Party 2010, there was fuel lined up all throughout the café's stalls where cars drink as much and as long, they wanted.
Cars 2
Flo in Cars 2.
In Cars 2, Flo only had a minor role of greeting Lightning McQueen when he comes back to Radiator Springs. She also sees him off at the airport when he leaves. When McQueen calls her and the rest of the Radiator Springs citizens, she comes to London. She also helps fights the lemons by hurting Vladimir Trunkov's eyes using her bright headlights. Back in Radiator Springs, she notes the big dent that Holley Shiftwell has in her rear fender and offers her husband's services to sort it out which Holley kindly declines, stating that the dent is "Too valuable." At the end, she and Sally admire Francesco Bernoulli's open wheels.
Cars 2: The Video Game
Flo in Cars 2: The Video Game.
In Cars 2: The Video Game, Flo appears as a playable character, but cannot be unlocked in the main game. Instead, she is a downloadable character, and once bought, she can be used in any C.H.R.O.M.E. mission.
Disney Infinity
In Disney Infinity, Flo appears in the Cars Play Set, giving missions to the player. She also appears as a toy box townsperson that can be unlocked by random, by opening one of the twelve chests or by opening the vault.
Cars: Fast as Lightning
In Cars: Fast as Lightning, Flo appears as a playable character that can be unlocked by earning all of her stickers while playing as Mater.
Cars 3
In Cars 3, Flo appears at the beginning of the film watching Lightning race in the current season of the Piston Cup. Later she re-appears at Radiator Springs after McQueen's crash, working at her shop. When McQueen tells everyone, he's going back to racing, Flo and every townie celebrates in response to his decision. She also tells Rusty and Dusty that she created a drink after them which Mater tells them name of it, being Rust-eze Medicated Bumper-bomb. She's also seen saying goodbye to McQueen, Mack, Luigi and Guido as they head off to the Rust-eze Racing Center. She later reappears back in Radiator Springs to see Cruz and Lightning's new paint jobs and watches Lightning and Cruz race around Willy's Butte just like how Lightning and Doc did.
Flo in Radiator Springs in Cars 3.
Pixar Popcorn
In Dancing with the Cars, Flo can be seen dancing with Ramone.
General information
Physical description and traits
A promotional shot of Flo's rear.
Flo is simply based on a Motorama Show Girl, modeled after a 1957 GM Motorama Show Car. She is a modified 1955 Lincoln Futura with large tail fins.
Her license plate reads "SHO GRL", a reference to the fact that she was a show girl before she came to Radiator Springs. Flo is painted light green, with cream stripes on her sides and long fins on her rear.
Flo is a kind and caring character, though her sassiness can get in the way of her other traits at times. Nonetheless, she still has a helpful persona, and enjoys helping and socializing with her customers.
Powers and abilities
Flo racing against Lightning, Mater, and Sarge in Cars: The Videogame.
Flo has been depicted as an expert on fuels and oil, as she has proven to have a vast knowledge on various occasions. Additionally, her racing abilities have been shown in games such as Cars: The Videogame, Cars: Mater-National Championship, Cars: Race-O-Rama, Cars 2: The Video Game, and Cars: Fast as Lightning. She is a heavy character with much more power and speed.
Relationships
Flo is married to Ramone, and the two have been a couple since Flo first arrived in Radiator Springs.
She is also good friends with all of the Radiator Springs residents, particularly Lightning McQueen. She is also friendly to the many visitors and tourists that visit around Carburetor County.
List of appearances
- For this subject's list of appearances, see Flo/Appearances.
Official profiles
- Flo first arrived in Radiator Springs as a touring Motorama girl. She was headed west with a transport of models when her chaperone blew her transmission just outside of town. Flo and the other Motorama girls spent an unforgettable weekend in Radiator Springs; new tires from Luigi, souvenirs from Lizzie, and a new paint job from Ramone. But when it came time to paint Flo, Ramone threw down his airbrush. Not because he was too good to paint her, but because she was too good to paint. The next day when the girls left, Flo stayed. She and Ramone have been together ever since.
Portrayals
- Jenifer Lewis - All appearances
Gallery
- For this subject's image gallery, see Flo/Gallery.
Names in other languages
- Danish: Flora
- Estonian: Luule
- Finnish: Floora
- Hungarian: Tőtike
- Japanese: フロー
- Norwegian: Fiona
- Polish: Lola
- Russian: Фло (transcription: Flo)
- Swedish: Flora
Quotes
- "Low and slow?" - Cars
- "Did you see what he did to my café? Those were premium oil cans, I can't even give 'em away! Now I gotta restack all my cans!" - Cars
- "I have gas. Lots of gas!" - Cars
- "Finest fuel on the mother road!" - Cars: The Videogame
- "Yeah c'mon, feast your eyes on this!" - Cars: The Videogame
- "Great to have you back, honey!" - Cars 2
- "Mm-mm that Francesco is fine looking!" - Cars 2
- "Oooh! I'm gonna have to go get myself some coolant!" - Cars 2
- "What's next?" - Cars: Fast as Lightning
- "Go get 'em tiger!" - Cars 3
- "I think Mater's been holding out on us!" - "Dino Park"
- "Ain't nothing better than a wedding to bring folks together!" - "Dino Park"
- "Make sure you stop by New Orleans for some of that sweet jazz, baby! (starts scatting)" - "Dino Park"
- "Hey! Ramone can fix you up with a new look for the trip!" - "Dino Park"
Trivia
- Flo largely resembles Al's car from Toy Story.
Audio samples
| Quote | Game | Voice Clip | Portrayer and Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Hey, careful!" | Cars: Mater-National Championship | Jenifer Lewis, 2007 |