Most embarrasing cars of all time

[i386]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

We moved from FL to GA when I was 7 years old. We traveled in a Vega ('72 maybe) pulling a small U-Haul trailer that contained everything we owned.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

fresh out of Navy boot camp SanDiego, station Naval hospital corpmans school, i had to buy an 1961 Simca. 4 on the column. never looked this good.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

You know one of the coolest cars i ever saw was an AMC pacer "aka Bubble car". It had the bubble remover so it looked like a El camino/Rancher. It was done up nice. The other car i had was a 1980 Aries 2dr 2.2L 4speed. I did a bunch of work to the engine and used it to whip the buts of Fieros. Now the Fiero should make this list.

 

[DJ]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

The Chevrolet-Chevette.

Actually, I owned one, from 1978 to 1980. It was a Ralleye Sport model and it actually served me quite well.

I was in college and the only failure I had was a battery, after four years, since new. I put 40K miles on that car and sold it with 98K.

My favorite "pick up line" in bars was that I drove a "Vette". Not a complete lie. Remember, this was circa-1978-9.

I cannot say it was a bad car, just an embarrassing one, for a virile guy, on the hunt and broke.

I have fond memories of that car. It would go where many 4 X 4's wouldn't. I hunted, a lot, in those days-for food. I had oversize "snows" on the rear. It even pulled a light boat. It didn't have enough power to get stuck. It provided 35 MPG when I needed it. It was a three speed automatic that turned the engine 3500 RPM at 55 MPH. Did I mention, I was broke.

Thinking back, I have NO complaints.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

Ok, time to pony up...literally. Mustang II....the mid-late 70's Ford abomination...yikes. Looked like crap, ran like crap, built like crap. More than that...what an embarassment to what was a rockin' piece of muscle.
(just think...Boss 302...wow, great quick car)
As well, to be fair, those early 80's front wheel drive GM's...Olds Omega's, Citations, that stuff....again, talk about poorly built velour-amation. Yikes!!
I've got to say...things have drastically improved as of late.
All Good
BP

 

[pduquette]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

how 'bout those Dodge+Ford COE van/pickups from /early '60s??? and those wicked kooool dodge/mitsubishi turbo colts--- Any Colts fans out there????

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

I didnt have a lot to do with the Chevette but what i did learn was dont wear winter boot when diving one. Way to easy to hit the gas and brake at the same time.
Ya the Kodiac Dodge van was cool from the 60s.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

I have to agree with Tashasdaddy. Even the DKW had more cool apeal than the Simca. The Dauphine and 4CV coould be real contenders in parking lot races especially with Gordini heads. This is from someone that grew up on AA fuelers.

Four bangers have always had a bad rap. Anyone ever hear of Offenhauser?

Almost all of the current SUV's are an embarrasment to my thinking. My current Slow Utility Vehicle is an F700.

Can anyone think of a more visually offensive luxury car than the chopped off rear end of the '80s Caddillac? How about the cosmetics of the Chevy Apache pickup? Each of us loves our own homely gal and will fight if another says she is not a beauty queen.

Want to start a real fight? Ask what is the ugliest boat!

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

I would have to throw in Fiat X19 and the Opel into the mix.

Nah, the x19 is a very fast car if you know what you're doing. They didn't get the moniker 'poor man's ferrari' for nothing.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

I thought the last generation of rear wheel drive Impalas were ugly. The Impala SS was a fast car but, that sagging,bulbous, looking rear end was terrible. I think that's what killed them. The think they make now and call a Impala is a embarrassment to what a great car is once was.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

I grew up in northern Indiana. My dad would always have my mom drive a Studebaker. What a piece of screwed up metal.
Studebaker Lark,flat 6 cyclinder.That thing wouldn't start if you put an ice cube on the hood. That made it a fine vehicle for northern Indiana winters.

 

[Pimp Daddy]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

For the older cars the list would be so long we would need another website to hold them all. Just a few like the Gremlin, Edsel, Chevette, Omni, Pretty much anything imported from Great Britan. As for the new cars, anything made by GM. It`s like they are in a secret contest to see who can make the ugliest vehicle and still sell them. Aztec, Equinox, Escalade, Avalanche, SRX, Malibu the list just goes on and on. Is it any wonder they consistently lose tens of BILLIONS of dollars a year.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Most embarrasing cars of all time

Well.... lets see... I purchased and drove a brand new Chevette equipped with the cast iron 1.6 liter .... I made sure it was NOT equipped with AC because that robbed power! Good old 2 speed automatic and it ran like a clock.... I remember that "passing gear" would kick out at 55 mph and then the car would slow down. It served my family needs at the time. It was the only thing new I could afford in 1976!

I did it again..... Today I decided that OPEC can kiss my *** and I bought a 2008 Yaris (A Vitz to our non USA people) Liftback 2 door. A cute (darn ugly) tiny car that averages over 34 mpg. Photo is stock but same color. I splurged and made sure I got the power windows! It was time to replace the Impala and the wife wanted something smaller.