The Worst Car Design

When buying a car, consumers typically make external design as the first reference vehicle. After that the consumer's attention shifted to the interior design and technology carried by cars. For that reason, automobile manufacturers were competing to make the car an attractive design and eye-catching when viewed from different angles.

Even if they need, many of car manufacturer hired the design house service as Pininfarina or Bertone in order to design and produce a car that inspires consumers to buy.

However, it turns out many car manufacturers are failing to create beautiful designs or elegant views, despite great expense. Impact, the car failed to attract the attention of consumers to have deserted alias enthusiasts. Here are some cars that have the worst design in the world.

1. Ford Pinto

This car was launched into the market in 1971 as a compact car character. Pinto marketed shortly that for 8 years until 1978. Car weighing 816 kg was sold at a price of 2,000 dollars.

The car was first introduced as a two-door sedan with racing seat designs are quite low and reinforced 4-cylinder inline engine. Factors considered to be a failure in addition to its body design is less interesting are the events when the fuel tank easily spark a fire after the collision.

1971 Ford Pinto (Picture from: http://www.motorstown.com/)

New competition had finally though made its course. As imports began to take center stage as the fuel misers, the Pinto's sales decreased dramatically. Since the Pinto was still based on late '60s components many buyers opted for more modern designs. Though it had been years since the Pinto explosion issue had faded from the car world, the damage had been done. Ford Pinto was eventually withdrawn from the market in 1978.

2. Bond Bug

Cars were judged to have poor design next Bond Bug. This car was made in the UK with three wheels on his body. First launched in 1970 by the Bond firm, then took over by the Reliant Regal company.

The Bug featured a complete glass fibre body in a futuristic wedge shape that had a lift up front canopy that incorporated the side windows and allowed access to the vehicle. Every Bug that was made was painted bright orange with black seats and trim though it is believed that several were also painted white and lime green for promotional use.

1970 Bond Bug 700ES. (Picture from: http://www.mad4wheels.com/)

Initially Bond Bug comes in 3 variants, the Bond Bug 700, 700E, and 700ES. This car has a maximum speed of 78 km/h, and only produced 2,300 units. Bond Bug stopped being produced in 1974 which also brought an end to the Bond name.

3. Volkswagen Thing

Volkswagen Thing was in fact the resurrection of a German military vehicle known as the Kübelwagen. And with Kübel meaning "bucket" and Wagen meaning "car," what could have been a better name for such a steel tub than, of course, the Thing?

This car is known as a Trekker in the UK and the Thing in the United States. Volkswagen Thing was first developed as a compact car for military patrols. However, later introduced to the public in 1971 in England.

The Thing was built on the same chassis as the pre-1968 Microbus and was propelled by VW's air-cooled, 46-hp, 1600-cc flat four. A four-speed manual was the only transmission. Acceleration was ludicrously slow: 0 to 60 mph took more than 23 seconds. They only came in 3 original colors Pumpkin Orange, Sunshine Yellow and Blizard White.

1973 Volkswagen Thing. (Picture from: http://www.oldparkedcars.com/)

In 1972, the Thing go on sale to the U.S. market with the engine in the rear, and a manual transmission. Volkswagen Thing has sold 50,000 units, until finally stopped production in 1979.

4. AMC Gremlin

The AMC Gremlin is a subcompact car that was made by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) for nine model years. During its manufacturing run from April 1, 1970 through 1978, a total of 671,475 Gremlins were built in the United States and Canada. The AMC Gremlin also has the distinction of being the first American subcompact car, a half-year ahead of Ford and GM.

The base Gremlin (available in 2- and 4-seat configurations at first), was joined in 1971 by the Gremlin X, which used mag wheels and tape-stripes borrowed from the Javelin for a sportier look. AMC Gremlin made wider so that stability is quite good and offers comfort for the occupants. But unfortunately, the design is less attractive.

1972 AMC Gremlin. (Picture from: http://allworldcars.com/)

Gremlins got some muscle to compliment the sporty look in 1972, when the 304 V8 became an option. The original Gremlin was facelifted for 1974 (bumpers and grille), restyled for 1977 (new front clip, taillights, and rear-window treatment), and updated once again for 1979 when it became the Spirit Sedan (new front end treatment, new rear quarter panels). The final Gremlin variation was the Eagle Kammback, which was a 4wd version of the Spirit Sedan.

5. Bricklin SV1

The Bricklin SV1 was a sports car brought to market by Malcom Bricklin, an American Millionaire who also Founded Subaru of America. The name SV-1 stood for Safety Vehicle - One, and as both a business and a sports car it was a failure. The production run which ran from 1974 to early 1976 yielded just 2,854 cars, many of which are still in operation thanks to a dedicated group of owners and enthusiasts. 

Bricklin SV1. (Picture from: http://www.ridelust.com/)

The two-seat Bricklin SV1 consisted of a steel chassis and a acrylic sheet/ fibre-glass body. Yet despite Bricklins desire for a safe sports car he chose to endow the SV-1 with gull-wing doors. Gull-wing doors are unsafe in a rollover accident because they trap the occupants inside. 

Powering the Bricklin SV-1 is a V8 engine, the first cars were given units produced by AMC, later cars were fitted with Ford V8 Windsor engines. Neither engine provided the performance which had originally been claimed. Unfortunately, the design of the car is not selling and less comfortable viewing. In addition, the security features are not working optimally assessed. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OVI | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 07122012]

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