Time - 50 Worst Cars of All Time

[///M-Spec]

Time Web Special - 50 Worst Cars of All Time

1899-1939

* 1899 Horsey Horseless
* 1909 Ford Model T
* 1911 Overland OctoAuto
* 1913 Scripps-Booth Bi-Autogo
* 1920 Briggs and Stratton Flyer
* 1933 Fuller Dymaxion
* 1934 Chrysler/Desoto Airflow

1940-1959

* 1949 Crosley Hotshot
* 1956 Renault Dauphine
* 1957 King Midget Model III
* 1957 Waterman Aerobile
* 1958 Ford Edsel
* 1958 Lotus Elite
* 1958 MGA Twin Cam
* 1958 Zunndapp Janus

1960-1974

* 1961 Amphicar
* 1961 Corvair
* 1966 Peel Trident
* 1970 AMC Gremlin
* 1970 Triumph Stag
* 1971 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron Two-Door Hardtop
* 1971 Ford Pinto
* 1974 Jaguar XK-E V12 Series III

1975-1989

* 1975 Bricklin SV1
* 1975 Morgan Plus 8 Propane
* 1975 Triumph TR7
* 1975 Trabant
* 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda
* 1976 Chevy Chevette
* 1978 AMC Pacer
* 1980 Corvette 305 "California"
* 1980 Ferrari Mondial 8
* 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood V-8-6-4
* 1981 De Lorean DMC-12
* 1982 Cadillac Cimarron
* 1982 Camaro Iron Duke
* 1984 Maserati Biturbo
* 1985 Mosler Consulier GTP
* 1985 Yugo GV
* 1986 Lamborghini LM002

1990-Present

* 1995 Ford Explorer
* 1997 GM EV1
* 1997 Plymouth Prowler
* 1998 Fiat Multipla
* 2000 Ford Excursion
* 2001 Jaguar X-Type
* 2001 Pontiac Aztek
* 2002 BMW 7-series
* 2003 Hummer H2
* 2004 Chevy SSR


Not an endorsement, just something interesting and semi-well written I saw and wanted to pass on.

Discuss.


M

 

[SimmiS]

hmmm, just scanning through some dont deserve to be there some do

example: Fiat multipla. i know im a fiat fan and all, but that really does deserve to be there!

BMW 7 series isnt that bad... is it?


EDIT: Ford model T? but that was a breakthrough!

 

[TheCracker]

Quite a good list but some of the '1990-Present' entries are there entirely on looks and not whether the car is actually any good at what it does.

 

[Jim Prower]

See? this is why I dont' read Time for automotive news. or at all.

THe Chrysler Airflow? no, it didnt' sell well, but it was that far ahead of it's time!
the Model T? Oh, please. I'm sure it rode like a Cadillac compared to grandpa's John Deere wagon. and it was twice as versatile, in the right hands.
The Gremlin: Ugly, yes. However, it was a BIG success for AMC, and, furthermore, What's cooler than a Hatchback with a V8?

 

[Famine]

The Explorer is only a bad car if every other SUV of ever is also a bad car.

The FIAT Multipla was as ugly as the ugliest thing you can think of. But won many, many awards and is about the only car to seat 6 adults in comfort. And yes, I said car.

The Aston Martin Lagonda was epic. About 20 years too early, yes, but epic.


Any "worst cars of all time" list which doesn't contain the Morris Ital, Austin Princess, Austin Allegro and Vauxhall Corsa isn't worth reading.

 

[Venari]

Populist garbage.

The Ford Model T, here? The car which, during its life, singlewheeledly revolutionised the world in terms of industrial development, company pay structures, quality of living, freedom to travel, manufacturing process, design for manufacturing, product supply, transport value-for-money, societal health, industrial relations(!)... I could go on.

Some of these cars may have been 'different', but not bad.

Actually, this article is already insulting, and prejudiced - and I haven't even read it! If you wrote this stuff about people, you'd either get sued up to your earholes, or end up in a weighted bag at the bottom of a river.

Pif paf pof.

EDIT: [RANT] Now I have read them. Okay, there are certainly some dogs in there. But the Lotus Elite? WTF? Obviously the author heard all the stories of talentless owners (note, not drivers) who managed to pilot these things over a few kerbs 'like I do my Caddy'. Last time I checked, the DMC12 was powered by the Renault engine, too.

This article is not about cars. It is about people. If people are stupid enough to buy Ford Explorers en masse, and that's what's killing the planet, it's not the car's fault, nor the overachieving bunch of engineered-and-accountants-in-cohorts to feed this insane desire 'to sit high'.

And one particular person, the author of this travesty of 'journalism', obviously has a very blinkered view of the world - I too looked at the Multipla and thought it looked a little odd, but when I understood why, I suddenly had tremendous respect for the company and the product. It's pretty darn sensible design, and all the better for the whimsical nose.

Get a clue, Dan Neil, there is only one Jeremy Clarkson. What he says is funny because by and large, if it isn't true, it is an opinion borne of passion, observation, good research and a sense of humour. What you say is related to very few (perhaps none) of these things. if you don't like cars period, go and live in a commune and review vegetables, or something. Leave the car-driving and auto-journalism to the people who enjoy it. [/RANT]

 

[exigeracer]

Lotus Elite FTL!

A dealer took delivery of several brand new Elites from the factory, and after 4 standing starts, the differential tore right off the body. After contacting Chapman, he tested a car himself in disbelief and after 15 minutes of spirited driving, the back of the car tore off.

As a racecar, where rebuilds and replacing parts is expected and a regular occurance, it fit the bill, but when driving down the road, it was a bomb.

 

[Venari]

Bah, given. But the concept was sound, and it's still one of the prettiest cars in the world, plus the benefit to all motoringkind - it sired the Elan, where all the bits which needed not to be fibreglass were suddenly steel.

Elan FTW.

 

[///M-Spec]

Populist garbage.

I agree. There is a fair amount of unnecessarily politicized nonsense in there.

BMW 7 series isnt that bad... is it?

It started the Bangle revolution. So if you hate him, the 7 is the beginning of the end.


M

 

[exigeracer]

The X Coupé, although not a production model, was the first car to display Bangle's new Flame Surfacing.

 

[///M-Spec]

OT:

The X Coupé, although not a production model, was the first car to display Bangle's new Flame Surfacing.

While that's certainly true, if you want to point to a concept car that signaled the beginning of the Bangle era, it would be the Z9, which debuted in 1999 --about 2 years ahead of the X Coupe.

The Z9 debuted the infamous J-lo, new grille, current generation interior, heavily styled headlamps and other revolutionary design changes. It also debuted the concept of iDrive --although it wasn't called iDrive at the time. Most of those elements made it to the 7-series.


M

 

[Sage]

Well, this is a bit disappointing for me, although probably not in the same way as for most everybody else. Dan Neil writes the Highway 1 section of the “LA Times”, and was a contributing editor for C/D for a few years, and I quite enjoy his writing and his insights. He’s one of my favorite automotive journalists, and yet this… this left-wing message of his is something I’ve never seen (or at least noticed) in his other writings. I’m not sure I can read his column from now on without that bit nagging in the back of my mind.

 

[Duke]

OK, here are comments on two consecutive vehicles, right at the very beginning of this article:

The Bi-Autogo does enjoy the historical distinction of being the first V8-powered vehicle ever built in Detroit, so you could argue it is the beginning of an even greater folly.

Immediately after comes this:

The Flyer represents something we'll see several times on this list: The drive to make the absolute cheapest, most minimal automobile possible.

OK, Mr. Neil, which way do you want it: If big, heavy, wasteful, and overpowered is a "folly", then why is small, light, economical, and low-powered also a problem? Idiot, self-contradicting jerks like this are why I almost never read "Worst" or "Best" lists.

[edit] And now THIS:

Designer-genius R. Buckminster Fuller was one of the century's great nutjobs, a walking unorthodoxy who originally conceived of the Dymaxion as a flying automobile, or drivable plane, with jet engines and inflatable wings. It would be one link in his vaguely totalitarian plan for the people to live in mass-produced houses deposited on the landscape by dirigibles. Okayyyy...

So, if we have to have socialized housing, Mr. Neil would rather it be the expensive, inconsistent-quality, waste-intensive, hand-built kind rather than economical, consistent, efficient factory-built kind? HUH?

Bucky Fuller conceived the geodesic dome, widely regarded as one of the most materials-efficient structures ever. He also conceived of a city enclosed in giant Fuller domes... which was capable of being powered completely by burning the junk mail its inhabitants would receive! Mind you, this was in the late '40s and early '50s... yet somehow Fuller is a "nutjob", despite being about 50 years ahead of his time when it comes to materials-efficient design and reducing waste and - to coin a phrase - recycling.

Yet big American V8s are still the Antichrist.

Right.

Admittedly the Dimaxion was awful, from a vehicular standpoint. It was also designed to be lived in, fercryinoutloud! But in larger terms, this jackass has no idea what he's talking about.

 

[YSSMAN]

Hmmm, there are some issues with that list, but I think for the most part non-enthusiasts would find it agreeable. I mean, they're reading TIME Magazine, what the hell do they know?

Some of the cars on there are a bit puzzling though:

- Ford Edsel: While the car was a complete failure in terms of design and sales, as I recall these cars were fairly ahead of their time for various features, and it was pretty clear that people just weren't ready for it. Sure, the Edsel is an easy target on how not to create a car, but I wouldn't stick it on the "teh worst carz evah" list because of it.

- Chevrolet Corvair: Right, so lets push out a car that was not only a stunning piece of art, but also a shocking piece of engineering from Detroit just because some dumbasses who bought them didn't realize that they were rear-engined cars. Are we about to stick the Porsche 911 on there because people do the same? Oh, thats right, people remember Ralph Nader and the Corvair. Just great!

- Jaguar XK-E V12 Series III: Wait, so whats wrong with one of Britain's best sporting cars? That it was the '70s and the V12 wasn't allowed to make the power that it should have been? Yeah, great reason to kick the car onto the list guys...

- Bricklin SV1: Just like other cars on the list, it was a car ahead of it's time. I've seen them in person, and they're actually kinda cool, if a bit odd. Yes, they're based on the Corvette, and yes there is some rather comical '70s safety equipment built in... But at least we can know that Bricklin had a message, and I think it was received...

- Corvette "California": They must not read into their cars that they choose at all. Sure, it was a stupid idea, but GM wasn't about to give up sales of the car in one of the biggest markets in the United States. A stupid idea? Yes. The worst that could have happened? No.

- Cadillac V8-6-4: Again, would have been great if they did their homework. Little do they realize that the territory that GM explored back then is making their V8s, V6s, etc more fuel efficient today. As I can recall, similar systems are now used on GM, Chrysler, Ford, Honda and Mercedes vehicles.

- DeLorean: Yeah, you guys really are good at picking these things. Yes, it was a pain in the ass to drive, but thats because it had to be dumbed down so much for the US market. I'm so happy they're bringing this one back...

- Ford Explorer: Wait, whats wrong with making an affordable SUV that regular people can enjoy? Oh wait, we've got to look back with our liberal goggles and see how stupid we all were when we had been clamoring for these puppies. Do what the market demands, and you sell vehicles. Ford did everything right, IMO.

- Chevrolet SSR: Yes, it turned out to be a Trailblazer with plastic surgery, but thats what you wanted, right? I mean, everyone was SCREAMING for GM to build the thing, and yet everyone who wanted one didn't buy one. What gives?

 

[Tornado]

This sounds so much like one of those polls voted on by people who have no sense than a serious article for a major magazine. One of those "what cars are hated so much for insignificant reasons that it is enough to write off the whole car" deals. Even without reading his reasoning, I know the article is trash.
For example, the Mondial 8. People hate it because it is a 4 seat Ferrari. What they neglect to realize is that, as an Italian car in general (and a Ferrari in specific) that it was not only a comfortable car with actual rear seat room, but unlike the more popular Ferraris it was cheap and easy to maintain, and quite reliable.
Or the Aztek, which is one I see quite frequently on these lists. People hate it because it was ugly as hell. What they forget to realize is that it had many unique and useful features within it that made it a worthwhile purchase before Pontiac started giving them away. Things that no other cars have had.
The Lagonda? That was so stupidly ahead of its time that cars still don't have some of the stuff it had.
Consulier GTP? Right. Because literal race-ready road cars need to be lookers.
Cadillac V8-6-4? That was crap, yes. But cylinder deactivation certainly seems to work now, doesn't it?
Multipla? It was styled like that on purpose (to gain attention), and I can't think of any other car on sale today that makes better use of packaging than it does.
The EV-1? That was lauded worldwide as a great step towards alternative fuel before it even became that big of an issue. Yet it sucks because the technology as a whole isn't close to replacing IC engines?
The Prowler? Don't make me laugh. At least it didn't take the chassis of an already established car and ruin it like the New Beetle did.
You want a 50 worst cars list? Go to the Proton website. This guy seems to hate on cars that were advanced for the time so much that its a miracle that more popular models (any Citroen, for example) aren't on the list. In fact, quite a lot of these cars on this list are either ridiculed because of styling or ridiculed because they were alienated when new, and nothing else. What conformist trash.



Edit: After reading the article, I find it hilarious that he admits that many of the cars that deserve no place on that list shouldn't be on the list, but proceeds to put them on the list anyways. So, again, conformist trash.

 

[YSSMAN]

We should write a nasty letter, signed by members of GTP, just to get things sorted out properly at the magazine...

But, alas, that would take extra work...

 

[Duke]

Having ridden in and worked on - or at least tried to - a Ferrari Mondial 8, I have to take exception to your characterization of it up there. It was utter trash mechanically, and the back seat was smaller than a Trans Am's. For me to get my foot onto the clutch pedal, I had to have the driver's seat back far enough that it hit the thigh cushion of the back seat. And I'm only 5'-10" tall, and low-waisted to boot.

 

[High-Test]

* 1899 Horsey Horseless

Okay, so there was a horse head on the front. Nobody complains about the horns on Texas Cadillacs.

* 1909 Ford Model T

🤬 This goes to show what happens when communist bloggers interfere in otherwise reputable magazines. Incredibly reliable, and "Tin Lizzies", whether powered by their 4 banger or other means, are still around today. This car ushered in a HUGE change in the American way of life. I've lost all respect for TIME.

* 1911 Overland OctoAuto

No argument found there. Eight wheels?? Riight.

* 1913 Scripps-Booth Bi-Autogo

But.. It's basically a motorcycle, and thus should not be on the list. It's probably on the list for having a V8. OH NOEZZ!!!! NOT TEH V8!!!

* 1920 Briggs and Stratton Flyer

So thaat's where the idea for B&S powered bicycle wheeled go-karts come from. Other than that, no argument here.

* 1933 Fuller Dymaxion

Uhh.. Yeah.. It was basically the first minivan.

* 1934 Chrysler/Desoto Airflow

So, it was a brilliant car but too far ahead of its time. Why is there animosity towards it?

* 1949 Crosley Hotshot

No argument here.

* 1956 Renault Dauphine

It's a people's car. It's not supposed to be fast.

* 1957 King Midget Model III

No argument here.

* 1957 Waterman Aerobile

* 1958 Ford Edsel

I actually think they're pretty. Sure, it was a little ahead of its time. But, the MEL engines offered (MEL stands for MercuryEdselLincoln) were absolute torque monsters. And, the new audi grilles have that sucking a lemon look too..
[/QUOTE]* 1958 Lotus Elite[/QUOTE]
Okay, it was way too fragile, but as Venari said, anything that spawned the Elan can't be too bad.
[QUOTE* 1958 MGA Twin Cam[/QUOTE]
there's so much subjectivity in the post that I can't figure out why it's so evil.

* 1958 Zunndapp Janus

In it's defense, people still liked the Isetta.

* 1961 Amphicar

But it's still Fun. That was it's point.

* 1961 Corvair

As YSSMAN pointed out, Americans weren't smart enough to adapt driving habits to the car. A Corvair was one of the first cars to have a Turbo, along with the Olds Jetfire.

* 1966 Peel Trident

No argument here.

* 1970 AMC Gremlin

Hey, it prolonged the life of AMC. Although the Pacer would have been top notch had they spent the money to develop tooling for the Wankel engine, the Gremlin actually got some success out of using a conventional engine. Like it's namesake, it isn't a beauty queen.
[/QUOTE]* 1970 Triumph Stag[/QUOTE]
No argument here.

* 1971 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron Two-Door Hardtop

No argument here either.

* 1971 Ford Pinto

He shouldn't be pissed at the car, he should be mad that for 6 dollars per car, a "bladder" could have been installed in the gas tank. Ford, however, opted to keep costs down.

* 1974 Jaguar XK-E V12 Series III

No argument here... But there is such a thing as unbolting stuff.

* 1975 Bricklin SV1

In a sense, it was the first Saturn.

* 1975 Morgan Plus 8 Propane

??? super low emissions is NEVER a bad thing.

* 1975 Triumph TR7

That's the successor to the TR6? what a shame.

* 1975 Trabant

No argument here.

* 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda

Way ahead of its time. Still a cool car.

* 1976 Chevy Chevette

There's no support in the document to show why he hates it..

* 1978 AMC Pacer

It's hideous. I'll give him that.

* 1980 Corvette 305 "California"

Like YSSMAN said, it wasn't a gem, but a brilliant move by GM to get the Vette to sell in California. I've experienced the weakness of a 305 firsthand.. I have no love for that motor.

* 1980 Ferrari Mondial 8

Not a great point in the company from Modena's history.

* 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood V-8-6-4

Precursor to Displacement on demand. But poorly carried out.

* 1981 De Lorean DMC-12

It had a Flux Capactior!!

* 1982 Cadillac Cimarron

It's a cavalier. three words are more succinct than the entire article.

* 1982 Camaro Iron Duke

Yeah.. 4 cylinder Camaro wasn't a good idea.

* 1984 Maserati Biturbo

A Sad day in Maserati's history.

* 1985 Mosler Consulier GTP

It was a brilliant racecar. The article even says so.

* 1985 Yugo GV

The article made me laugh. Is Doug writing them?

* 1986 Lamborghini LM002

Ah, well.. It's still cool in it's own way.

[/QUOTE]

 

[niky]

It's a very shamefully written list, particularly for someone who's supposed to know cars...

I read that the other day on another board, and I was going to post it up here... but looks like I was beaten to the punch.

 

[3-Wheel Drive]

Complete and utter drivel. Hardly any of the reasons amount to anyhing more than "it's ugly", "it has a V-8", or other insignificant crap.

And having the Model T in the list automatically voids all points made.

 

[SimmiS]

Any "worst cars of all time" list which doesn't contain the Morris Ital, Austin Princess, Austin Allegro and Vauxhall Corsa isn't worth reading.

Here Here! Seconded!


50 Best car list must include.....

Fiat Nouevea 500
The old Renault Twingo
The old Mini cooper

but im not sure about the supercars.

 

[neanderthal]

im thinking there should be many more eastern european and asian cars there. early kias and hyundais, some daewoos, trabants, tatas, mahindras, volgas and so on.

this list is too USA focused. for an "all time list" it should have had more research. theres a whole world out there that isnt the united states. rather like the "101 sporting events you must attend in your lifetime" list that someone (espn?) had put out. about 30- 40 of the entries were baseball related?

 

[Sakiale]

Time Web Special - 50 Worst Cars of All Time

1899-1939

* 1899 Horsey Horseless I want one!
* 1909 Ford Model T

oh come on...
1940-1959

* 1958 Lotus Elite
* 1958 MGA Twin Cam
👎

1960-1974

* 1961 Amphicar
* 1961 Corvair
* 1970 AMC Gremlin

okay, I'm biased... but the Corvair wasn't bad, really

1975-1989

* 1975 Bricklin SV1
* 1975 Morgan Plus 8 Propane
* 1975 Triumph TR7
* 1975 Trabant
* 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda
* 1976 Chevy Chevette
* 1978 AMC Pacer
* 1980 Corvette 305 "California"
* 1980 Ferrari Mondial 8
* 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood V-8-6-4
* 1981 De Lorean DMC-12
* 1982 Cadillac Cimarron
* 1982 Camaro Iron Duke
* 1984 Maserati Biturbo
* 1985 Mosler Consulier GTP
* 1985 Yugo GV
* 1986 Lamborghini LM002
LM002? meh.. Hey, they say a GTP is the worst car ever!
1990-Present

* 1995 Ford Explorer
* 1997 GM EV1
* 1997 Plymouth Prowler
* 1998 Fiat Multipla
* 2000 Ford Excursion
* 2001 Jaguar X-Type
* 2001 Pontiac Aztek
* 2002 BMW 7-series
* 2003 Hummer H2
* 2004 Chevy SSR

no comment
Not an endorsement, just something interesting and semi-well written I saw and wanted to pass on.

Discuss.


M

.

 

[superberkut]

Since when did Time Magazine try to cash in on auto commentary? This, given the list compiled, is not their area of expertise. Car and Driver swears, but maybe it's because of terrible articles such as these.

Then again, what do you expect from a magazine with a '100 Most Beautiful People" section?

bulletin: *superberkut's comments to the detriment of the selections to follow.*

Update: I'm sick of this, commentary like Time's is too disgusting:

1899-1939

* 1899 Horsey Horseless
* 1909 Ford Model T
* 1911 Overland OctoAuto
* 1913 Scripps-Booth Bi-Autogo
* 1920 Briggs and Stratton Flyer
* 1933 Fuller Dymaxion
* 1934 Chrysler/Desoto Airflow

1940-1959

* 1949 Crosley Hotshot
* 1956 Renault Dauphine
* 1957 King Midget Model III
* 1957 Waterman Aerobile
* 1958 Ford Edsel
* 1958 Lotus Elite
* 1958 MGA Twin Cam
* 1958 Zunndapp Janus

1960-1974

* 1961 Amphicar
* 1961 Corvair
* 1966 Peel Trident
* 1970 AMC Gremlin
* 1970 Triumph Stag
* 1971 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron Two-Door Hardtop
* 1971 Ford Pinto
* 1974 Jaguar XK-E V12 Series III

1975-1989

* 1975 Bricklin SV1
* 1975 Morgan Plus 8 Propane
* 1975 Triumph TR7
* 1975 Trabant
* 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda
* 1976 Chevy Chevette
* 1978 AMC Pacer
* 1980 Corvette 305 "California"
* 1980 Ferrari Mondial 8
* 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood V-8-6-4
* 1981 De Lorean DMC-12
* 1982 Cadillac Cimarron
* 1982 Camaro Iron Duke
* 1984 Maserati Biturbo
* 1985 Mosler Consulier GTP
* 1985 Yugo GV
* 1986 Lamborghini LM002

1990-Present

* 1995 Ford Explorer
* 1997 GM EV1
* 1997 Plymouth Prowler
* 1998 Fiat Multipla
* 2000 Ford Excursion
* 2001 Jaguar X-Type
* 2001 Pontiac Aztek
* 2002 BMW 7-series
* 2003 Hummer H2
* 2004 Chevy SSR

In conclusion: Oh, come on! Horsey Horseless doesn't even seem like a real vehicle! This is the most shallow compilation of 'worst cars' that I have ever seen!

Here is MY list of what should remain:

-Ford Explorer
-Hummer H2

That's it. Everything else either is too innovative, too creative, too intelligent, and too charismatic for those idiotic 'automobile journalists' at Time Magazine. Stick to judging people among us, and we'll be fine.

 

[Tornado]

Everything else either is too innovative, too creative, too intelligent, and too charismatic for those idiotic 'automobile journalists' at Time Magazine.

Well, to be honest, the Triumph TR7, Pinto, Bricklin SV-1 and Maserati Biturbo really do belong on that list.

 

[superberkut]

Well, to be honest, the Triumph TR7, Pinto, Bricklin SV-1 and Maserati Biturbo really do belong on that list.

Guess so, but the only reason for that was the execution: The Bricklin was assembled in a non-ideal place (in New Brunswick?), the TR7 had awful engines, and the Maserati BiTurbo WAS ugly, but it helped Maserati to merge with another company to save it (forget the name... Fiat?).

As for the Pinto:

And there you go.

EDIT: Or was that the Fiat 130?

 

[Mr. Hilter]

I've read this list, and I do not agree with it.

1909 Ford Model T - Oh, are you so sad that the proles got their hands on an automobile? In 1909, that was ages better than the horse and chariot or the old family tractor. Apparently to you, we should revert back to the 19th century, where we never ventured 10 miles outside our home unless going on a train.

1934 Chrysler Airflow - This car was way ahead of it's time. Just because it was released ahead of it's time doesn't mean it's horrible, does it? Also this car inspired Ferdinand Porsche to make the first Volkswagen.

1956 Renault Dauphine - Yes, it may have been slow. But this was supposed to replace the 4CV, which was a car for the masses. It is basic transportation.

1958 Lotus Elite - It had some quality control problems. But it's sporting accomplishments and as Venari said, it spawned the Elan so that means it can't be a tin can, right?

1958 MGA Twin Cam - It was a bit notorious for the engine problems during warranty, but the problem was solved later on. These cars are still running along smoothly.

1961 Chevrolet Corvair - It may have been criticized endlessly in Ralph Nader's book, "Unsafe At Any Speed", but the problems were fixed by GM. Nader did overstate the handling problems of the Corvair though. Plus, it was a great little car. But because of the rear engine layout, shouldn't the Beetle be here also?

1970 AMC Gremlin - The car was ugly. But the Kammback design was suprisingly good for aerodynamics, and you still see on cars today like hybrids. The Kammback design allows for a low drag coefficent which allows for better gas milage in cars that need to get good gas mileage. The Insight and the Prius may be butt-ugly to some, but they get good gas mileage. Plus it was a subcompact with a V8.

1976 Aston Martin Lagonda - It helped save Aston Martin from going under. Also a nice car.

1981 Cadillac Fleetwood V-8-6-4 - The technology at the time was simply just wasn't there. Good idea, on paper, but bad execution.

I'll give him some points for the H2, but the rest are "too ugly" or "too expensive".

 

[BlackBeadyEyes]

This is, quite frankly, THE most funniest thread I have ever read in this forum.

 

[RecklesAbandon2]

most of this list seems good, but including some of the newer cars based on looks alone completley discredits it in my opinion.
Aztec are very ugly, but are very functional cars, that shouldn't be listed, along with the H2, SSR, 7-Series, and Jaguar.

I don't know a whole lot about most of the older foreign cars, but I think Time magazine should stick to interviewing congressman and other political people, and keep their nose out of automobiles.

 

[MustangSVT]

I agree with the SSR and some of those other cars like Aztek, just plain ugly.

However, I fail to see how BMW 7-series is one of the worst cars ever, and also Ford Model T? Is there something about the 7-series that I should know about?