Top 10 Manly Automobiles

[CBI_2]

I found this on another site and thought my fellow inmates may enjoy reading and probably debating the list.

Top 10 Manly Automobiles

The manly cars that did make this list aren’t exclusively new cars or old cars, and a few aren’t even cars at all. And just so we’re clear, this isn’t all about horsepower or raw performance numbers. The 10 manly cars that made this top 10 are here because of their character, whether they’re among the fastest in the world or they struggle to keep up on the freeway.
honorable mention

Muscle car greats

1964-Present

When it comes to muscle cars, there’s no substitute for cubic inches, and there’s no way a look at manly cars could realistically contain just one or two representatives, since most of Detroit (and even Kenosha, Wisconsin, when you include AMC) had multiple interpretations of the philosophy. That’s why we opted for a special unranked tribute to them all. From a performance standpoint, many consider the muscle car party to have ended after 1971. With this feature’s emphasis, the character has endured -- from the first Pontiac GTO through to the screaming chicken Trans Ams, 5.0-liter Mustangs and IROC-Zs to the new Challenger.

Number 10

Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

1960-1984

To look at Toyota’s portly 2008 Land Cruiser, you don’t immediately think “manly car.” Go back a while and consider the old two-door version, the Japanese Jeep known as the FJ40 Land Cruiser. Once upon a time, owners subjected their Land Cruisers to tougher duty than navigating mall parking lots. The inspiration for today’s FJ Cruiser (no manly slouch itself), the original Land Cruiser was just as rugged and capable as the rival Jeep CJ, but with tougher looks and better reliability. The timeless demand keeps collector values high and has even inspired a re-creation from TLC, a California company specializing in the restoration of these manly cars.

Number 9

Bugatti Veyron

2007-Present

Maybe it’s just as well that most of us will never experience this car firsthand, as we’d forever be spoiled from that moment. Yes, there’s the face-distorting acceleration and top speed. Remember, though, this isn’t just about the seven-figure sticker price, the 1,001 horsepower or the ability to top 55 mph speed limits by almost 250 mph. As a manly car, the Veyron has the look of an assassin. It's not overtly tough like Rambo, but that’s because it doesn’t have to be. If James Bond were French, this would be his car.

Number 8

Cadillac Eldorado

1953-2002

In the late 1960s, having a new Cadillac was a symbol of success, but not coolness. That changed when the division made Eldorado, a very distinct model instead of a premium trim level on the parade floats. This manly personal coupe wasn’t meek, but its sizable proportions were neat and purposeful, managing to look more sophisticated than other models and more appealing to younger male buyers. Sadly, it was short-lived. The Detroit Way of the era led to a bloated redesign of the Eldo for 1971, introducing the pimpmobile look and causing a drought of manly cars for the automaker that has only recently been addressed.

Number 7

Dodge Ram

1981-Present

Full-size pickups have always been manly, but when Dodge redid the Ram for 1994, and gave it a broad-shouldered, big-rig front end, the genre was redefined. Park a ’93 Dodge next to a ’94, and you’d swear they were made decades apart. On the basis of manliness, they were light-years apart. Buyers responded accordingly, and the years since kept enthusiasm going strong with variants featuring big diesels, crew cabs, dual rear wheels, and even a version with the Viper’s V10 under the hood. 2009 brings another update to the Ram, but Dodge has wisely chosen not to make radical changes, keeping this a manly car for a long time to come.