The Car Manliness Rating Scale - how does yours do?

In an effort to quantify just what makes a car more of a guy kind of car vs not as much a man car, the best criteria I could come up with was: the more things that do stuff for you in the car, the less manly it is; i.e. a "manly car" is one where the driver is more connected to the car. There is also a consideration for power to weight and amenities (A/C, heated seats, etc.)

You have probably noticed that this scale does not reward sophistication or expense -- I mean, come on, look at what we're talking about here. For example, you lose points everytime there in a computer in the car. You know, a girl can drive an new SLR.

It's not a perfect scale, with one drawback now not well accounting for cars before 1940: some may not have had much power, but there is no question you had to hoss 'em around. May have to add a modifier later on.

The scale is like an inspection - everyone starts with 100 and points are deducted or added: The higher the final score, the more cojones required. Scores over 100 and negative scores are allowed, kinda like golf but not as good

NOTE 1: This is posted for entertainment only. If you are offended or threatened, you're probably a wuss anyway no matter what you drive.

Initial score: 100 pts.

Subtract:

- (weight to power ratio in lbs/hp)
- 2.5 electric starter
- 2.5 power brakes (total of - 5 if has ABS, - 7.5 if has auto traction control)
- 5 automatic transmission
- 7.5 power steering
- 5 if transmission, any type, has a computer (includes paddle shifters)
- 5 electronic fuel injection (-0 for mechanical injection)
- 5 electronic suspension control
- 5 electric folding convertible cloth top
- 6 electric folding metal top
- 2 air conditoning
- 0.5 point for each stereo speaker in the car
- 0.5 point for each amplifier
- 1 electric windows
- 2 remote locking
- 1 electric door
- 1 heated seats

Modifiers:

+1 manual choke
+10 if chassis was ever basis for a race car


Examples:

Admiral Phillips' 500 Mondial Sports racer
- 9 power to weight
- 2.5 electric start
+10 used as a racing car
Total score: 98.5
Pretty much no one can argue this one

2006 Mercedes Benz SL 500
- 13.5 power to weight
- 2.5 electric start
- 7.5 power brakes/ABS/traction control
- 5 auto transmission
- 7.5 power steering
- 5 transmission computer
- 5 EFI
- 5 computer suspension
- 6 electric folding hard top
- 2 a/c
- 3 speakers
- .5 amp
- 1 electric windows
- 1 remote locks
Total points: 35.5
Probably why you see so many older women driving these

I may have missed some deductions, but you get the idea. So, how does your car do? (remember NOTE 1)

 

Point taken; this was again a nod to pre-30's cars and most pure racing cars not having starters.

 

I thought about that; finally decided that it was still truly manly thing to be able to carry a family or friends.

 

Another example:

Ferrari 355 F1 coupe

- 7.9 p/w
- 2.5 electric start
- 5.0 ABS
- 7.5 power steering
- 5.0 transmission computer
- 5.0 EFI
- 5.0 Electronic Suspension Control
- 2.0 A/C
- 1.0 speakers
- 1.0 electric windows
- 2.0 remote locking

Will mod the original point schedule to include +5 if the car type was ever used for racing (deference to Rob... ). You can add this to Tillman's 328 as well.

+ 5.0 type used to race

Total points: 61.1
Not bad, actually, as this rating system is scaled to include racing cars.

 

See, this is a problem with pre-1930 cars. Anyone who has ever driven these wonderful cars knows there can be no doubt that most are quite manly, indeed. I still ache from driving a Model A sedan.

 

These are good examples. I would expect 0846 to score above 100. And like the 500 Mondial, no one can conceptually argue 002C.

 

Close, but for a stock Chevelle, the weight to power is closer to 12 to 16 or as high as 20+ depending on the motor (remember weight), so an amended rating would be around mid-high 80s for a strong v-8, which is quite good.

 

Agreed it should have points added - will conceed!
+5 for race chassis (it gets 10 for being a race car)
It's got an electric starter, so no points there
Since side curtains are the electric window anti-christ, +1
Manual priming lever +1 absolutely
and will happily conceed the Dzus key and hammer!

New score: 88, quite excellent.

 

Based on Sam's input, the new scale:
Initial score: 100 pts.

Subtract:

- (weight to power ratio in lbs/hp)
- 2.5 electric starter
- 2.5 power brakes (total of - 5 if has ABS, - 7.5 if has auto traction control)
- 5 automatic transmission
- 7.5 power steering
- 5 if transmission, any type, has a computer (includes paddle shifters)
- 5 electronic fuel injection (-0 for mechanical injection)
- 5 electronic suspension control
- 5 electric folding convertible cloth top
- 6 electric folding metal top
- 2 air conditoning
- 0.5 point for each stereo speaker in the car
- 0.5 point for each amplifier
- 1 electric windows
- 2 remote locking
- 1 electric door
- 1 heated seats

Modifiers:

+ 1 manual choke
+10 if chassis was a race car
+ 5 if car type used in racing series
+ 1 side curtains
+ 1 requires Dzus key
+ 1 needs hammer to change the wheels

Remember weight to power is car weight lbs/horsepower!


002C is now up to 99.5