Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Ruby Tuesday - Behemoth

Behemoth (definition) - Something abnormally large and powerful, e.g. the Hummer.
Originally built as a rugged all terrain vehicle for the US military, it enjoyed a macho reputation after the Desert Storm exercise in the early 1990s.  As a rugged military vehicle it did a good job.  Called "Humvees", they were originally built by AM General Corporation, which was formerly AMC-Jeep's General Products division. 


The macho image of a Hummer has a certain appeal to the status conscious driver with plenty of money to spend.  In 1992, AM General began selling a civilian version to the public under the brand name "Hummer". In 1998, AM General sold the brand name to General Motors, but continued to manufacture the vehicles. GM was responsible for the marketing and distribution of all Hummers produced by AM General.  Shortly thereafter, GM introduced two new homegrown models, the H2 and H3, and renamed the original vehicle H1.  


The Hummer had its day in the sun but by 2009 the practical limitations of its size, safety, and fuel economy outweighed its allure as a muscle car.  There were numerous attempts to find a buyer for Hummer but it was not able to survive the bankruptcy of General Motors, and by early 2010 it passed into history.  Wikipedia has a a good article on the Hummer if you are interested.

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15 comments:

Nicole said... [Reply to comment]

Hummers were very popular here in Kuwait too when I was around the last time.
I would like a Humvee, but not a hummer. Or a good ol' Jeep :)

Micki02 said... [Reply to comment]

What a beautifull car ! but is it really a car ... or a truck ... or ... a man symbol ! In France we have also this kind of mythic car, especialy for men !!! At home, we have a big corean car, a big car for a big familly ..!

Francisca said... [Reply to comment]
This comment has been removed by the author.
Francisca said... [Reply to comment]

Behemoth is right. Although I am often described as having a lot of YANG (male) characteristics (YIN is female), these over-sized male egos on wheels never appealed to me. Give me a fast Ferrari instead! :-D

Elleona said... [Reply to comment]

Bonjour.

je n'aimerais pas tomber nez-à-nez avec un Hummer sur nos petites routes de montagnes cévenoles : trop peur d'aller dans le ravin !
En France, le Hummer doit être très rare (j'en ai vu un à Alès !)
Bisous

Sharon's Mum Anne said... [Reply to comment]

I remember my husband's and my first visit to SF to see Sharon many years ago and his eyes lit up at his first sight of a "Behemoth" which had enormously over-sized tyres - would that have been a hummer?

Yogi♪♪♪ said... [Reply to comment]

The Hummer's look nice on the outside. I've never been on a ride with one but have peaked inside at car shows and it seemed to me that the interior was remarkably cramped for a car that size.

Auntie E said... [Reply to comment]

Hummers are the younger adults new Mercedes , However in today economy we are seeing less and less of them.
My Ruby link for you

reg said... [Reply to comment]

I have room in my driveway for a hummer like that

:.tossan® said... [Reply to comment]

This car is powerful, can do anything. Good picture!
They are beautiful, But imitate the Americans, dance dress like They forgot Their Own roots., The squares are filled with Them (usually students) that from this with a simple purpose: to make money instead of keeping the tradition to critical hoping That Itself some of Them Can read and reflect ... For me the important thing is the photo and story.

Everyday Goddess said... [Reply to comment]

how many smart cars can fit in a hummer I wonder?

myletterstoemily said... [Reply to comment]

i must confess that, even as a tulsa lady,
i have had a long distance crush on those
behemoths.

a jeep will keep me nice and content,
though!

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

Judging from the comments to this post, people either love Hummers or hate them. They are sort of testosterone on wheels.

Snowcatcher said... [Reply to comment]

That was very interesting, and the link was a good read, too.

I still see a few of these in Colorado, but they are always clean and shiny. They don't look as if they ever see four-wheel roads like my nice little 4Runner does...

Joan Elizabeth said... [Reply to comment]

I am of the hate them variety ... they seem just too over the top to be necessary to the ordinary human being. Great ruby tuesday shot though.