The early Christian Church got so fed up with icon worship they made the practice a sin. When that didn't play well in Peoria (and the Greeks opted out), the Church backpedaled, redecorated and told the faithful it's OK to "venerate" an icon. Just remember who's boss. According to Zurich Private Clients, it's Ferrari. The insurance provider to the chronically well-heeled has named the Enzo as the world's most iconic automobile. I know: how can a vehicle be "more" iconic than another? That's like saying St. Anthony Fantosat is more saintly than St. Alfrick. Apparently, when it comes to automobiles, it's a matter of list price, power, engine configuration, engine capacity, acceleration, top speed, torque, brand status, rarity, heritage, motorsports heritage and media coverage (including Top Gear's cool wall and Stig lap times). Make the jump for the automotive icon top ten and some more snarky comments about Zurich's apostolic methodology.
1. Enzo Ferrari
2. Porsche Carrera GT
3. Ferrari F599
4. Aston Martin Vanquish S
5. Mercedes-Benz SLR
6. Bugatti Veyron
7. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
8. Lamborghini Murcielago
9. Bentley Continental GT
10. Pagani Zonda
I'm sorry, but the whole deal smacks of Freemasonry — and not just because the list was compiled by an unnamed (cough Andrew Frankel) panel of UK motoring journalists. I reckon any analytical algorithm that bestows iconic status on the limited edition, slow-selling, stallerific Carrera GT — while denying that automotive holiest of holies the Porsche 911 its proper automotive adoration, is fundamentally blasphemic.
Clearly, this list was compiled by members of The Church of the Latest Thing, rather than The Followers of Eternally Transcendent Personal Transportation. Ferrari 599 over the F40? Aston Martin Vanquish above a DB4? SLR over the Gullwing? Murcielago rather than the Countach? Sacrilege! Profanity! Automobiles should go through the same lengthy and rigorous elevation process the Church applies to its martyrs and miracle makers before they're blessed with iconic status. In fact, if Zurich wants to do this properly next year, they're going to need a test driving Devil's Advocate. Any volunteers?
<a href="http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=15863
">Ferrari Enzo Wins Iconic Prize [PistonHeads]
Related:
More on the Ferrari Enzo [internal]