5 Big Honkin' V8s

When asked what he thought was the most beautiful sound in the world, Paul Newman once responded with a small grin and a look of longing from his blue eyes: "A big V8." He would have loved our recent mission at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. We drove five of the best big V8s, if not the five very best.

Three are American. Coincidence? Hardly. And each with the name of a real, passionate individual behind the car.

However, we should say: the Audi RS4 Cabriolet would be here had it not been discontinued in 2008.

Our problem was the tests were like speed dating: three twirls around the short road course with each car; then make your choices. First impressions count for pretty much everything. But really, it was enough time to feel what each car does and doesn’t do well, when pushed.