MUSICAL REFERENCE: "Cadillac Ranch," a 1980 song by Bruce Springsteen from his album The River.

LOCATION: Amarillo, Texas

BACKSTORY: In 1974 three artists decided that the only thing better than a Caddy on the open road would be 10 of them poking out of the ground like giant metal tulips. So they bought the vintage Caddies for a total of $2,000, stuck them in the dirt, and invited visitors to spray paint them. Springsteen's connection? The car fanatic's first ride was a '57 Chevy with orange flames on the hood, and the Ranch captured his imagination.

FUN FACT: The cars are planted in the ground at 52 degree angles -- to match the slant of Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza rising from the sand.

WHAT IT'S LIKE TODAY: After being painted black in 2003 to mourn one of the artists, the cars are now back to their graffiti-covered glory.