Generally speaking, it's as if unimaginative and cocksure executives live to green-light safe, self-promoting and self-centered metafiction just because it’s a world they already know.

Nothing that the automobile industry could relate to, right?

But like gorgeous American roadsters from automakers not recently known for them, there are most certainly splendid roman á clef exemptions. And, this side of Robert Altman's The Player, few are more satisfying than Entourage, the half-hour HBO ensemble series about Hollywood and brotherhood, currently airing its third season.

The cast of Entourage + click to enlarge

The program is a smart, sophisticated and acclaimed tone-sensitive peek into the clannish alliances, cartoonish libertinism, arrogant insecurities and creative vs. commercial struggles that, at least in some portion of the general public's minds, define Hollywood — if not all of Los Angeles.

That's silly, of course. Calling out 3.9 million Angelinos for behaving like perpetual subjects of their own private E! True Hollywood Story is like calling Volkswagen spoiled and decadent for building the Bugatti Veyron. Plenty of Golfs, Jettas, Bugs, Rabbits and Buses happily reside in L.A., too.

Keeping all that in mind, Doug Ellin, Entourage creator and executive producer and his colleagues have exquisitely cast the many luxury cars and trucks that populate the series.

Just how important are those vehicular selections?

"On this show, they're very important," Ellin said. "The characters have their toys, and agents have power plays. And we spend a lot of time figuring out which car for which person and how to differentiate."

Characters' dramatic arcs are symbolized by transitions in the vehicles they drive: Their cars and trucks match their status, financial success, sense of self-importance and individualism — or lack thereof.

Ellin and a handful of his colleagues select the vehicles. Some makes and models are written directly into the scripts; others are left to transportation coordinator Mike Davis to suggest and, pending approval, procure. Colors matter, too, as directors and directors of photography need to make sure that the visuals work on this medium.

Now that Entourage is well-established, securing desired vehicles has become easier. Ellin and Davis tell ForbesAutos.com that the silver 2007 Mercedes-Benz S65 that joined the lads' fleet in the current season was the first such 'Benz in the United States. The car appeared at two auto shows and stuck around specifically for Entourage filming.

According to Davis, the triple black 1965 Lincoln Continental convertible that is so fetishized during Entourage's opening title credits — but otherwise hasn't been seen during episodes — will appear later in season three during the show's body proper.

"That car is actually Johnny Drama's car," said Davis. It’s the vehicle his character drove during high school.

In compiling this Top 10 list, ForbesAutos.com viewed every episode from Entourage's seasons one and two, and the first five episodes from season three. The season three finale is scheduled to air on Aug. 27.

Each vehicle that appears in these rankings has been assigned to a show character. The first six slots are listed in the same order as the actors who play the respective roles appear in Entourage's opening credits. The final four slots are listed in order of our perception of the characters' importance and centrality to the show, with a dash of car envy thrown in.

Click here to see a slideshow of the Top 10 Vehicles from Entourage on ForbesAutos.com.