It's really no secret. Go to any local auto show and you will find dozens of men admiring the sleek lines and tantalizing curves of sports cars and luxury autos.

Speaking of tantalizing curves, it's also no shock that the covers of most automotive magazines have a buxom bikini-wearing beauty standing next to a car that has been polished to perfection.

While guys like fast cars and fast women, you can usually tell a car enthusiast from a non-enthusiast by studying their reaction to the covers of those automotive magazines.

If a man drools over the good-looking babe, he's most likely not a car guy.

However, if he drools over the make and shape of the automobile, then he's probably a car enthusiast.

Granted, this kind of test lacks statistical accuracy and scientific peer reviewed stature and approval but it serves as a sufficient introduction to the subject of male attraction to cars.

For decades, American men have had a love affair with automobiles regardless of their make or brand-whether Ford or Saturn, GTO or BMW, Ferrari or Mazeratti.

Hawaii is no different from other states in the union when it comes to the devotion and enthusiasm of car aficionados. There are a number of different local car clubs-devoted to different types of cars such as Corvettes and Mustangs- in the islands filled with automotive lovers who drive their well-maintained cars on the weekend and enjoy hanging out and shooting the breeze.

Why are a lot of guys attracted to cars? To find out, K¯ane talked to Rod Baybayan, a car lover and fan who is supervising the display of cars and motorcycles at the 2008 Hawaii Big Boy's Show-an expo that features cars, clothes, electronics and other products geared toward men- which will be held March 28, 29 and 30 at Honolulu's Neil Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

Baybayan who owns a Porsche Carerra and a 1965 Shelby Cobra, otherwise known as a Gumball Rally, noted that this year's Big Boy's Show will feature at least three basic types of cars-Exotic vehicles, cars that are rarely driven, and hot rods.

The Daytona Coupe is a perfect example of an exotic car, that serves as daily transportation and tearing up the race tracks. Next, the reason why those “garaged” cars are rarely driven is to preserve their condition. Lastly, hot rods are largely hidden away from public view because of the lack of racing facilities in the island. (Oahu's Hawaii Raceway Park was one such facility in the recent past that was closed by City officials).

Now in its second year, the Hawaii Big Boy's Show is important for car owners and buffs especially because "we have to have a centerpiece place where we can show all these cars that we have in our garage."

According to Baybayan, many male enthusiasts are attracted to cars because they see such vehicles as "a piece of art, a really expensive (piece) of art" making sure such a possession is handled with care and maintained. "It's like a Van Gogh" added Baybayan "You take care of it."

It is not unusual for many car buffs to have nurtured fantasies about owning vintage automobiles or sports cars from the time they were young boys. "It's like a dream car" observed Bayabyan "It's like a fantasy you had when you were a young kid and you (put a poster of your dream car) on the wall."

"Back in my younger days-my high school days-I loved cars" observed Baybayan "I grew up loving cars, I love to fix cars and you have to have a passion for loving cars because if you don't, you think every car is the same."

Baybayan observed that a lot of men love cars because of the design work, the engineering that went into various vehicles in addition to the body, the overall look and the aesthetic qualities of cars.

Another explanation as to why guys like cars that is more societal than technological is that many guys were influenced by the major entertainment media-specifically movies and TV shows-and these influences-acting upon certain psychological desires-sparked a love affair with automobiles.

"Hollywood portrays macho guys" noted Baybayan "macho guys ride macho cars."

"Guys want to be macho like the guy in the movie so that's what turns them on" he added "Like (the TV show) MAGNUM P.I."

"MAGNUM P.I. drives a Ferrari, a guy wants to drive a Ferrari-be like MAGNUM P.I. and catch all the chicks" observed Baybayan.

Times have changed however.Nowadays, a number of "chicks" are becoming gearheads or car lovers and attending car shows not merely as bikini clad models and male eye-candy but as car owners, observers and enthusiasts.

However, guys still have first dibs on automobile adoration. A point perhaps for more than a few ladies to keep in mind, as the key to this man's heart isn't through his stomach but on his keychain.