Who makes the ugliest automobile

[Randall Klein]

I think Studebaker's were made in South Bend, IN...could be wrong

Quite a few contenders for ug-a-ly champ, but many are fringe models, or very low sales, I think the Aztec remains a lock considering it was from a major mfg and sold a fair amount, but I must admit the field is plentiful....some real lookers

[Dan Bennett]

Originally Posted by Randall Klein

I think Studebaker's were made in South Bend, IN...could be wrong

That's what I was getting at but I didn't do a very good job. Because of the factory, I think there were more Studebakers per square foot than any other place on earth. Bendix was there also so it was sort of motor city but in a 180 degrees out kind of way.

Studebaker always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not many people remember that they joined up with Mercedes-Benz way back when. Yuppies hadn't been invented yet, so the Studie dealers didn't sell many Benzes.

Speaking of which, one of my favorite trivia bets involves Ford and Honda. Hardly anyone remembers that there were Honda step throughs being sold from Ford showrooms. That program didn't last long either.

Originally Posted by Randall Klein

Quite a few contenders for ug-a-ly champ, but many are fringe models, or very low sales, I think the Aztec remains a lock considering it was from a major mfg and sold a fair amount, but I must admit the field is plentiful....some real lookers

I can't argue with the Aztek, but it didn't start out as ugly as it ended up. The concept car was pretty radical but not that much different than a Pontiac Vibe (Toyota Matrix). Of course the beancounters got involved. They signed off on building the car but at the last minute mandated that it had to fit an existing platform. The wheelbase, overhangs, and pretty much the entire proportion of the car got changed and the rest is history.

Funny thing is that the Buick versions are pretty popular around here. Bring the headlights down beside the grill, put a fish mouth on it, and Susie Soccer Mom just can't get enough.

As long as we're talking about styling, Mopar should get some attention too. Before the "Forward Look" and the outrageous cars of the 60s, the man calling the shots was named Elwood Engel. He was a pretty traditional guy and wore a hat wherever he went. Trouble was, he insisted that any Chrysler product be produced so that a gent could get in and sit down with his hat on. That didn't do much for styling.

No wonder Virgil Exner went for the wild side when the chains were freed. Sort of like a preacher's kid, I guess.

[Todd Boyer]

"I can't argue with the Aztek, but it didn't start out as ugly as it ended up. The concept car was pretty radical but not that much different than a Pontiac Vibe (Toyota Matrix). Of course the beancounters got involved. They signed off on building the car but at the last minute mandated that it had to fit an existing platform. The wheelbase, overhangs, and pretty much the entire proportion of the car got changed and the rest is history."

When the Aztek first came out, I drove into the local Pontiac dealer to show it to my brother, he couldn't believe that they actually built a car that looked like that.
The salesman came running out to see if I wanted to buy one, and I ask him if it's true that the Aztek comes with a bag to put over your head so no-one can see you driving it....

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Todd Boyer

When the Aztek first came out, I drove into the local Pontiac dealer to show it to my brother, he couldn't believe that they actually built a car that looked like that.
The salesman came running out to see if I want to buy one, and I ask him if it's true that the Aztek comes with a bag to put over your head so no-one can see you driving it....

When the Aztek first came out I was spending a lot of time at my local Pontiac dealer - and heard many , many comments like the one above ...........bet those bags are collectors items today .....but the Aztek -- not so much ! ! On the flip side we sold a bunch as used cars that had the tent / camping option .........we might have liked it in the sixties instead of the back seat ! !

[Lew Silverman]

Speaking of Camper Tents, anyone remember the tent option for the Hatchback Nova/Ventura? I had ordered one through the Pontiac dealer I was working at back in Florida. I wonder how many others there were? Wish I still had it and the car it fit.

Lew

[Jeff Kempton]

Originally Posted by Lew Silverman

Speaking of Camper Tents, anyone remember the tent option for the Hatchback Nova/Ventura? I had ordered one through the Pontiac dealer I was working at back in Florida. I wonder how many others there were? Wish I still had it and the car it fit.

Lew

I think it was called the "Hatch Hutch". I bought a used 1973 Nova SS in the early '80's and got a brand new one still in the box with it when I picked up the car. I sold the car for a few hundred bucks a couple of years later and the new owner had no interest in the tent but I threw it in anyway. In hindsight I wish I had kept it; either for the novelty factor it would have today, or for what I might get for it on eBay!

Update: I just Googled it; here's a link:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...ersatile-nova/

[Ed Fernandez]

I guess you figured out I'd have to post these pics up
Hornet hatchback factory option..