Cars are for driving, not polishing: The Manliest Cars You Can Buy
By Mario Frassetto on April 16, 2007 - 8:15 am | PermalinkWhat you drive says a lot about you. Real men would never be caught dead driving a Geo Metro, Neon or a Miata. Real men don’t make death cars out of a 1956 Dodge LaFemme. Real men get their hands dirty – they jump, race, do burnouts, and generally abuse their cars. These cars aren’t for show, but go. These are the meanest, toughest, fastest and baddest cars ever built by men, for men.
Mustang, Shelby 67 GT
This badass was made famous for the masses by Nicolas Cage in Gone in Sixty Seconds, but has been known as a hard charger since the '60s. Earlier versions are known by their distinctive white paint and blue Le Mans stripe down the center -- and any car that is born from a racing tradition makes us take notice. The big-block V8 that powers the Shelby doesn’t hurt either, giving it a 0 to 60 in just 4.8 seconds. The car just looks tough too. This is the ultimate man car.
1969 Dodge Charger
Bo and Luke Duke knew what they were doing when they picked the Charger as their getaway car. Appearing in over 50 movies, TV shows and music videos, this car has earned its stripes. A 426 Street Hemi lies under the hood and pumps out 325 tire-shredding hp. Tuff as nails and just as powerful, the Charger also has one of the coolest instrument panels ever: instead of regular bulbs to light the gauges, four electroluminescent dash pods house the tachometer, speedometer, alternator, fuel and temperature gauges. It’s no wonder this car is bad enough for Frank Bullitt, Blade and Mike Mikki.
Ferrari 308 GTS
While any and all Ferraris are manly cars, none can match the 308 GTS for pimping. Even though it’s over thirty years old, its distinctive side intakes and aggressive lines have kept the car looking modern. The V-8 engine is a DOHC design, with its four Weber 40DCNF carburetors pumping out 255 hp. Combine that with a completely fiberglass body and you've got one a stunner of a ride. Add 1970’s pimp Tom Selleck as Magnum P.I. and not only do you have a manly car, but a chick magnet as well.
Pontiac Trans Am
As arguably the most popular car in TV and movies, the second generation Trans-am had to make our list. The classic Firebird logo and square headlights make the Bandit unmistakable. Combine that with a stomping V-8 motor, and this car can even make Billy Madison look cool.
Corvette Stingray
Ask any red-blooded American to list a manly car and a Corvette is sure to be in the top five - in particular, the third generation Stingray. This two-seater with its T-top design and long, front mounted big-block produced a gas-guzzling 425 hp. The unique design was born from a concept car called the Mako Shark, and remains one of the most recognizable and coolest cars the US has ever produced.
Camaro Z28
Bigger is better. Ask any chick and she’ll agree (if she doesn’t, she’s lying). When it comes to cars, though, this is a 275 hp LT1 V8 engine with 325 ft-lbs. of torque. This means that when you stop on the right pedal with your foot, much tire spin and smoke will follow. And only manly cars are chosen to be the pace car of the Indianapolis 500.
Lamborghini Countach
When the name of the car is an Italian expression of astonishment used by men after seeing an extremely beautiful woman, the car better back it up. The Countach does so in spades. The unique styling and scissors-style doors are undeniably trick. The monster mid-engine V12 powers what is still one of the coolest-looking cars ever made.
Porsche 911
With a Porsche 911 there actually is no substitute. Power, styling and durability make this polished car an easy choice for our list. The rear-engine rear wheeled drive car is a proven performer in various races, rallies and automotive competitions.
Honorable mentions:
Dodge Viper
1974 Dodge Monaco with the Magnum 440 squad car package
Plymouth GTX Hemi
