[Image Source: The New York Times]

When in his 2002 comedy tour Robin Williams likened the Republican catchphrase "compassionate conservative" to a "Volvo with a gun-rack," little did Mr. Williams know then how close to the mark his metaphor hit.

Colin Powell, former secretary of state under the current Bush Administration and four-star general, is apparently an avid automotive enthusiast who likes to tinker with old cars. In fact, during down-time in his former position as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Clinton days, one could find the general at Fort Myers working on vintage wheels.

In an interview with The New York Times Mr. Powell said, "My usual pattern was to fix them mechanically and then do enough body work to get them through a quick Earl Scheib paint job [...] my cars wouldn't pass anyone's magnet test."

His WMD arguments at the UN didn't either.

Mr. Powell's current vehicular Pride is a rust-around-the-edges 1966 white Volvo 122S stationwagon.

Volvo owners of the world, salute!

[Source: The New York Times]