Ten cars that won't win the Melbourne Cup

After 130 years of the horseless carriage era – and counting – we're yet to put the horse out to pasture.

Manufacturers still associate the horse with some models of car – conveying an impression of power and dependability to a jaded buying public.

Ford is a standout offender, applying horse names to its cars, but the blue oval has not been alone in marketing equine-themed vehicles over the years.

Some companies have gone a step further, with a horse emblazoned on the traditional corporate logo, a la Ferrari and Porsche.

But be advised, some cars you may think are named for horses aren't. Mitsubishi's Starion is reputedly a contraction of 'Star of Orion', not a Japanese mispronunciation of 'Stallion'. And the Volkswagen Polo is named for the Polar wind, not the game in which ponies participate.

Here's our top ten cars inspired by horses – some of which hold strong today, but many have failed to go the distance. We ask you, yay or neigh?

Top of the list, the Ford Mustang embodies the brawn and beauty of a wild horse. Not as refined as the shining examples we see on the racecourse, that is. The first generation Mustang hit the roads in 1965 and continues as a hero model for Ford today. A sell out success in its latest automotive incarnation the Mustang brings a heavy dose of emotion and enthusiasm. With over 6000 orders exhausting local allocation, Aussies will be waiting until late 2017 for theirs to arrive. Yay.

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A male horse less than four years old isn't necessarily an example of strength or power – but it's a fitting name for Mitsubishi's small car released in 1962. Initially powered by an air-cooled 594cc engine the Colt carried on through different generations, finishing up as a front-wheel drive hatch. It was such a successful name in global markets that it became the brand name for Mitsubishi in Europe. But still... Neigh.

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Sold from 1978 – 1994, the Subaru Brumby was only known as such in Australia. Brat, Shifter, 284 and Targa were among other nameplates worn by the light utility vehicle. A unique design feature available on the Brumby was its T-top targa style roof. It's little known, but US President Ronald Reagan owned a Subaru Brat that he kept at his Santa Barbara ranch. Yay.

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Ford Bronco

A rough and ready utility icon, the Bronco was locally produced in Australia from 1981-1987, but began its life at Ford's Michigan Truck plant from 1966, ending production in 1996. In recent years the Bronco has been revived for a new SUV generation. Yet to step hoof in Australia though...

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A Spanish manufacturer best known for its trucks and heavy vehicles, Pegaso built around 86 (or so) V8-powered sports cars during the years 1951-1958. The rear-wheel-drive Pegaso Z-102 was available in coupe and spider form, with its head designer having previously worked on vehicles such as the Alfa Romeo 512. A heavy steel body compounded weight issues for the Z-102, which made the leap to alloy bodywork at one point, but the cost of production saw Pegaso struggle for sales, so a cheaper Z-103 was built. That was short lived, with production ceasing in 1958. Neigh.

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The term Pinto generally describes a horse with patchy appearance, not unlike the patchy reputation of the Ford Pinto itself. Model years spanned 1971 to 1980 and included a two-door coupe, four door hatchback and wagon body styles, all subject to a lengthy list of recalls. Marketed as a 'basic, durable and economical' car, it was the Pinto's safety record that drew most attention. Faulty design was blamed for many bursting into flames in rear end collisions. The Pinto features on several of the world's most notable 'worst car' lists. Yay.

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The Hyundai Pony had its first outing at the 1974 Turin Motor Show. Originally debuting as a four-door sedan, wagon and hatchback body styles soon followed. Manufactured from 1975-1990, the Pony was South Korea's first mass produced car, and arguably paved the way for Hyundai to enter export markets. Originally marketed as 'high spirited' the Pony was rated at 14 seconds for the 0-60mph dash. In many regions the Pony was replaced by the Excel badge. Neigh.

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Bet you didn't know the Camargue is the name of a horse. A breed of horse from the south of France, the Camargue is a stocky animal with a square head and heavy mane and tail. In other words, it's not an especially attractive horse… much like its Rolls-Royce namesake from the late 1970s. Based on the same platform and mechanicals as the Corniche, which it replaced, the Camargue was a large coupe built between 1975 and 1986. Neigh.

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The latest model to reach Australia with a horse-related name is the Great Wall Steed, a Chinese-developed light commercial vehicle that reintroduces the Great Wall name to Australia. A dictionary definition explains that steed refers to a 'high-spirited horse', which seems a little out of keeping with the role of a pick-up. How would Great Wall Clydesdale sound, we wonder? Neigh.

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The Korean built Hyundai Equus has been in production since 1999, the large sedan a potential rival to the likes of BMW's 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class – but has never made it to Australian shores. The discontinued Equus is now displaced by the G90, the flagship model in Hyundai's prestige marque Genesis Motors. The G90 is expected to make it Down Under. Yay.