If somebody loves me, here are two rides I’d love for Christmas

By David Menzies for MSN Autos

I always look forward to the men’s magazine Sharp this time of year. It features gifts galore for the man who has everything (or nothing); indeed, it’s quite reminiscent of when I was a kid and the humungous Eaton’s Christmas catalogue would land upon the porch with a considerable thud. I’d immediately home in on the toy section.

Ah, pages and pages of toys, wondrous toys! Some of which I stood a chance of actually acquiring (Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots) while others, well… dream on (that bona fide pinball machine.)

Sharp’s list of 43 gifts for men makes for a similar experience – a $15 deck of playing cards is doable; an $11,000 coffeemaker not so much. And in the department of getting from Point A to Point B, two conveyances caught my eye… and made my heart flutter:

Land Rover Defender 90/110 from Twisted Performance
When it comes to this rabid wolverine, it might be scientifically impossible to drive something more macho... other than perhaps the fantastic Ford Raptor. This gorgeously retro Land Rover is not some RAV4 grocery-getter best suited for the suburban shopping mall rather than the Jeep Jamboree. Rather, this kickass off-roader with torque to spare screams “don’t mess with me” thanks in part to an ominous black exterior along with a vibrant orange interior. (The downside: it is $120,000). Still, pity the poor Prius owner who spots the grille of this Defender in his rearview mirror. I fear he might soil himself…

Snolo Sleds Stealth-X Carbon Fibre Toboggan

OK, it’s not a car. But a toboggan can be a lot of fun nevertheless – especially one made out of carbon fibre.