Who makes the ugliest automobile

[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.