I'm an American, and I'm just as puzzled by it as you are...
But I'm not sure these examples are really indicative of a trend. I would
bet there's a Range Rover "Sheffield" Or "Spode" edition for the ladies,
as well -- it's just a marketing gimmick targeted at Anglophile snobs.
The targeted buyers don't really care any more for fine shotguns then
they actually drive off-road. As for Car & Driver, don't get me
started... I stopped reading them 20 years ago because of their
ludicrous, immature, testosterone-crazed "macho" attitude -- I'm sure
they equate cars, guns, cigars, knives, and gold ingot bracelets. So I
wouldn't worry about anything they say... <g>
WSpohn4@aol.com had this to say:
>As a non-American, I do not share the American fascination, some would say
>obsession, with guns. In fact I prefer to be as far away from them as
>possible.
>
>I don't want to get into an argument about whether this is short-sighted, or
>whether most of the gun fans are intentionally misreading the American
>constitution to justify their gun ownership.
>
>I am writing to comment on something I have noticed just this last month -
>the encroachment of guns into an area that I do enjoy - cars.
>
>First, I was reading Automobile. Jean Jennings wrote an article about a
>Range
>Rover that was designed not as a fashion statement, like the Eddie Bauer
>whatever 4 by 4, but as the Range Rover Holland and Holland. While certainly
>traditionally English, in that Holland and Holland is an English gun maker
>with a long history, I expect that this joining of car and guns was crafted
>specifically with the American market in mind.
>
>Then, I picked up the latest issue of Car & Driver, to see an article on the
>BMW 740iL 'Protection', an armour plated yuppie-mobile with the writers
>feeling invincible and giving the finger to other drivers, and pictures of
>guns sticking out of windows.
>
>Was there a revolution (in thinking perhaps) while I wasn't looking? Has
>America become an armed camp (some would say it always was, I suppose)? Or
>is
>it just coincidence that two car manufacturers, both interestingly offshore
>ones, have suddenly begun marketing these models that focus on guns?
>
>Anyone have an opinion - I'd really be interested to hear what Americans and
>non-Americans both have to say on the subject.
>
>Bill
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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