[masraum]

Unfortunately they didn't include the 2 photos in the article. Without seeing them we just can't tell. The "battered" part could have been the journalist trying to make it more interesting or it could have actually been a dented, multicolor car. But sure, a well maintained Honda will beat out a beat up old Ford, but I bet the Bentley or a Ferrari will still beat out the Honda.

We also don't know if they used the same guy, but in 1 he was wearing wrinkled disheveled clothes with his hair uncombed and in the other photo, he could have been dressed and had his hair done by a group that normally does male models.

Without seeing the photos, it's pretty much impossible to ascertain to what lengths the scientists went to get the results that they were looking for.