What is it about men and cars? What is it with that special bond? Whenever a group of men come together, chances are that sooner or later, the topic of motors will crop up, and no other issue will stand a chance.
But what is it that attracts men - especially men, at least - to cars with such uncontrollable fervour? Is it the speed, the adrenaline rush they get from sitting behind the wheel of a fast car, or is it because they find their ultimate companions in cars? Let's face it, a car lets a man wear whatever he wants, he can freely confide in his car without having to commit, he can dream about it without being considered soppy by his mates, he can travel with it; he can paint the town red in it, he can openly have screen savers of it...
Possibly the best portrayal of this 'special' bond between a man and his car was portrayed in Knight Rider, the 1980s TV series starring David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, who drove a car called KITT.
KITT was the real star of the show: it boasted artificial intelligence that could reason, talk and deliver the best sarcastic one-liners to Michael Knight as an equal. It was the perfect relationship based on love and camaraderie. KITT could drive itself when Knight was otherwise engaged rescuing someone, and the two lovers kept in constant contact through Michael's wrist watch. Typically the female in the relationship, KITT had two characters - that of vehicle and that of microprocessor. Knight, however, never complained of his lover's complex nature.
KITT now belongs to Tim Russo, who bought it 10 years ago at an auction and has been restoring it ever since. He has now put it up for sale in California for $150,000.
Obviously KITT has no voice or quick wit, nor can it drive itself or soar into the air, and its new owner will not even be able to take it out on the road, as it is missing a number of modifications required by US law.
So whoever buys the car will not be after an adrenaline rush evoked from the speed it offers, but a genuine and much softer romantic relationship of admiration and unadulterated love. The love every man or woman dreams of finding.
In 1995, a research study carried out in the UK by AXA Insurance found that the majority of men felt that their car was their most treasured possession.
Is it not strange then that women are considered to be more careful drivers and get discounts on their car insurance? While most men have a love affair with their cars, they are the ones most likely to seriously bump and bruise their cars, infringe the law, and have accidents.
But what is it that attracts men - especially men, at least - to cars with such uncontrollable fervour? Is it the speed, the adrenaline rush they get from sitting behind the wheel of a fast car, or is it because they find their ultimate companions in cars? Let's face it, a car lets a man wear whatever he wants, he can freely confide in his car without having to commit, he can dream about it without being considered soppy by his mates, he can travel with it; he can paint the town red in it, he can openly have screen savers of it...
Possibly the best portrayal of this 'special' bond between a man and his car was portrayed in Knight Rider, the 1980s TV series starring David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, who drove a car called KITT.
KITT was the real star of the show: it boasted artificial intelligence that could reason, talk and deliver the best sarcastic one-liners to Michael Knight as an equal. It was the perfect relationship based on love and camaraderie. KITT could drive itself when Knight was otherwise engaged rescuing someone, and the two lovers kept in constant contact through Michael's wrist watch. Typically the female in the relationship, KITT had two characters - that of vehicle and that of microprocessor. Knight, however, never complained of his lover's complex nature.
KITT now belongs to Tim Russo, who bought it 10 years ago at an auction and has been restoring it ever since. He has now put it up for sale in California for $150,000.
Obviously KITT has no voice or quick wit, nor can it drive itself or soar into the air, and its new owner will not even be able to take it out on the road, as it is missing a number of modifications required by US law.
So whoever buys the car will not be after an adrenaline rush evoked from the speed it offers, but a genuine and much softer romantic relationship of admiration and unadulterated love. The love every man or woman dreams of finding.
In 1995, a research study carried out in the UK by AXA Insurance found that the majority of men felt that their car was their most treasured possession.
Is it not strange then that women are considered to be more careful drivers and get discounts on their car insurance? While most men have a love affair with their cars, they are the ones most likely to seriously bump and bruise their cars, infringe the law, and have accidents.