What Sex is a TR4?
Some cars I have had have been without a doubt either male or female. And now, for those dirty minded among you, it didn’t matter whether the car had a stick shift or not. Basically, by the way the car behaved, how it treated you, and how much attention it required you could figure out whether it was a lady or a gent.
Case in point, the 2002 MINI Cooper S I had was most certainly male. While it was one of the best cars I have ever had and I loved it dearly, it did have a decidedly brutish quality about it. From the bulldog cut of its jaw to the squat handling around corners, it was simply male.
The 1975 BMW 2002 I drove for a while was without a doubt female. In fact, she became the first car I or anyone in my family has ever had that got a name. Her name was Roxy – due to the surfing apparel sticker on her window when I bought her. Beyond that though, she was light on her wheels, dainty in the way she handled, and quite pleasing to look at. Most certainly feminine.
That leaves me with a quandary; is a TR4 male or female? Now a lot will depend on the specific car. One example of a model may feel totally different from another due to condition, suspension, tuning, etc… But in general, when they all left the factory, they were similar enough to be of one gender. If we are to believe the period ad to the right, we would assume the cars are probably male. And on the prowl.
So that is my inane thought process for the evening, and I would like your input. Please let me know what you think a TR4 is and why. And while you are at it, what about the rest of your cars? Any others that stand out in terms of name or gender?
Great topic. I have had a long disagreement with a gentleman about the sex of cars. I always have thought my A-H 100-Six was masculine, but my old Sprite was feminine.
As someone who has never owned a TR4, I would put it in the masculine column as well, but I couldn’t quantify why.
I look forward to hearing others responses
I would have to agree with you – I would think of the AH 100/6 as masculine also. As for the Sprite, I would either think female or maybe just not-quite grownup! It is a bit of a baby, isn’t it?
I named my new TR4 Money Penny after James Bond’s secretary. She’s British, has a few miles on her, but still has a little sex appeal. James Bond never drove her, but I’m sure he wanted to.
That is excellent! Although I think this restoration will be measured in dollars, not pennies….
After driving her today, I came inside and told the wife “The old girl is running great!” So I guess she’s a her. A little hard to control sometimes, like most 50 year old females. She does have rugged qualities and howls like a wolf when ridden hard. Not entirely feminine, but female, nonetheless.
Come on guys…
A tough car, square but shaped; strong grill, fast and noble. Hard and, as per nowadays standards, uncomfortable. Not beautiful, but handsome, even strange.
Clearly masculine.
Desde España, obvio.
And a pleasure to own one!
The TR4 is definitely masculine. Brutish exhaust note, no independent rear suspension, rough riding.