Just as owners and dogs resemble one another, cars can reveal a lot about their owners. Which is why it comes as no surprise that wrestler, actor, rapper, and brick outhouse John Cena enjoys muscle vehicles.

But, beneath the cliché of a tough guy and his macho car collection, there lies a more subtle truth: Cena knows his cars. This isn’t your average collection of Ford Mustangs and Dodge Chargers. Cena’s collection of more than 20 cars includes some pretty interesting, unique picks that imply he doesn’t just want anything that makes a loud noise and moves like feces off a shovel. He is fascinated by the craftsmanship and elegance of these cars, which makes his collection more interesting.

Connoisseurs beware, though: there are a handful of stinkers in there that he’s kept for nostalgic purposes. Tough guy with a heart – the clichés keep coming! Here are the cars that have played an important role in John Cena’s life.

Chevy Corvette ZR1 (2009)

Mark Scheuern / Alamy Stock Photo

John Cena was the 73rd individual to have a 2009 ZR1. If they can tell you what number you are, it usually means you’re purchasing something quite exceptional; they don’t do that for a Vauxhall Zafira. The ZR1 was the Z06’s high-performance variant, and it was as spectacular under the hood as it was on the surface. The ZR1 was Chevrolet and General Motors’ most powerful car, with a 6.3-litre V8 supercharged engine delivering 638bhp. It was designed to compete with European supercars like Ferrari and Lamborghini. This pushed the beast of an automobile from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 205 mph.

Plymouth Road Runner Superbird (1970)

Matthew Richardson / Alamy Stock Photo

This is one of the most distinctive and divisive muscle vehicles ever produced. The Plymouth, like its rival, the Dodge Charger Daytona (which Cena also owns), was a winged warrior with a nose cone and a look straight out of The Jetsons. However, its 7.0-litre V8 engine produced 425bhp and drove it past 150mph – not bad for a road car built almost a half-century ago. The Superbird was not a tremendous success at the time, but collectors and aficionados have grown to respect and admire the car in recent years, making it something of a collector’s item. And with its massive back wing, you’re bound to get noticed. Especially if, like Cena, your model is bright orange.

Buick GSX (1970)

In 1970, General Motors launched what many today consider to be the greatest muscle vehicle. The GSX was a souped-up GS, with fewer than 700 made. Cena owns model number 656. The automobile had an absolute monster of an engine; the 510 lb-ft torque capacity was not surpassed by another car until the Dodge Viper came along 33 years later. The massive 7.5-litre V8 engine propelled the GSX from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. What’s cooler than owning the ultimate muscle car? Having it in white with a black and white racing stripe down the hood. Which, of course, is what John Cena possesses.

AMC Rebel ‘The Machine’ (1970)

“The Machine” was a high-performance, low-cost variant of the AMC Rebel, the third of our trio of 1970-built beasts. The 340bhp engine was AMC’s most powerful yet installed in a production car, and it was reported to be capable of speeds exceeding 200mph. The car’s classic red, white, and blue paint scheme made it a collector’s item as soon as it left the factory, and it is still popular among enthusiasts today.

Corvette InCenaRator

Okay, we’re getting into rather dubious ground here. If you’re a ten-year-old boy, you might believe this custom-made space-age invention is a fantastic insight into the future (Cena requested an automobile from the year 3000). Anyone else might legitimately point out that it’s a little absurd. But perhaps we’re just being pessimistic. After all, it has eight exhausts that emit flames. Of course, it doesn’t need them – the engine is a stock 5.5-liter Corvette, not the Space Shuttle – but you have to admire the pun in the name.

Lincoln Continental (1991)

Find the odd one out. This vehicle does not quite belong in the automotive hall of fame. Despite its unappealing appearance, John Cena’s life was significantly impacted by the vehicle he used to live in. After graduating from college, the young aspiring bodybuilder relocated to the home of fitness, California, with only $500 and his father’s warning that he wouldn’t last two weeks. But after working in a gym and surviving on hard work, luck, and living in the back of his car, he received his big break in wrestling. And, ever humble and loyal to his roots, he’s kept the car ever since.

Ford GT (2017)

This is probably the one car on Cena’s list that he wishes to forget. There’s not much wrong with the Ford GT. It is totally composed of carbon fibre, and its 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine generates an incredible 647bhp, making it one of the most powerful V6s ever produced. The difficulty was that the car was so uncommon and in such high demand that customers had to apply for one and sign a contract agreeing not to sell it within two years of delivery. Bizarrely, Cena promptly flipped his, selling it on almost immediately. Ford promptly sued, and the matter was resolved outside of court.

Jeep Wrangler (1989)

Another vehicle that doesn’t seem to belong on this list is the 1989 Jeep Wrangler. But, in keeping with his modest background, Cena has sworn never to sell this car, saying, “This baby is the first thing I bought when I got a little smoke for myself from the WWE.” The Wrangler is not known for being particularly dependable, and when Cena purchased it in 2001, it had more over 80,000 miles on the clock. The engine only makes 126 horsepower. But we kind of like how he’s held onto it anyway.