A Genesis Coupe, a Yaris, and a Dacia walk into a bar…

The Baojun 630 is GM’s attempt at a low priced car for the Chinese (around $7000 in fact). The result is a strange “second world everycar” – somehow, just by looking at it, you can tell it’s a cheap car whose build quality is suspect. It’s awkward proportions suggest that it’s an older platform with fancy modern duds that recall several other current cars (not unlike the redressed Fiat platforms used well beyond their best before dates by manufacturers in several Eastern European countries). To be specific, it looks like a Toyota Yaris with the face of a Dacia Sandero grafted on. It even borrows the Hyundai Genesis Coupe's aggresive "Z" body detailing.

1955 GM Concept Cars

Something was in the water in 1955 at the GM headquarters. It was this year when all of their divisions released concepts that not only looked to be based off the same architecture - they were all monumentally ugly. Sounds remarkably like GM in the 80's and early 90's...

Chevrolet Biscayne

First up we have the Chevrolet Biscayne. From the windshield back it's not too bad - there's a lot of Corvette in there, and although you can't see the rear it seemed to have inspired later Corvettes and the Corvair. That front however looks like an unappealing mix of Austin Healey Sprite and bulldozer. Also it seems to look remarkably like the cars in Fallout 3.

Cadillac La Salle II Hardtop Sedan

Next up we have the Cadillac La Salle II Hardtop Sedan. Note the identical DLO, save the back window. Early experimenting in what would lead to the Cimarron I suppose. Again this car has a grille-less front end, although the headlamps are moved further out and you have the additional chrome Cadillac rocket extensions. Oddly, this car looks even more like a Corvette than the Chevy, with the two tone scalloping and rear light detail recalling the first generation Vette. Compared to the sleek and simple ugly of the Biscayne, the LaSalle comes off as over-accessorized ugly.

It may not be share as many components as the others, but this possibly Corvette based roadster version of the La Salle II also appeared alongside it on show stands. Sharing the front end (but with cutouts under the headlights), it has the appearance of a mutated 1958 Corvette with it's ass chopped off. Although to be fair, it likely inspired the '58 Vette's front end design.

Pontiac Strato Star

Next is the Pontiac Strato Star. A bit more conventionally attractive than the above two, it also doesn't share their roofline (but then it's a 2 door). I'm not entirely sure it shares a platform with the above, but it does have similar proportions and similar odd detailing, like the inset headlights and overall heavy looking appearance. Another odd detail is the gigantic front wheel wells, which flow back to almost reach the doors. In later show circuit appearances these were painted red, making it look like someone took gigantic chunks out of the car's flesh.

Oldsmobile 88 Delta

The last of the bunch is the Olds 88 Delta. You might be thinking "where's Buick"? There was a Buick show car in 1955 - but it was the Wildcat III, an evolution of the previous two concepts and likely unrelated (and not fugly). Speaking of not fugly, I don't really consider this Buick to be fugly. A little ungainly, but it's the best looking of these four. Why include it? The windshield and front wheel wells look to be shared with the Pontiac, so it might be related to the other cars here.

Chevrolet Aveo

However ugly the Ford Edsel was considered in it's time, it ain't got nothin' on this mug.

GMC... Something.

There are some mother-fugly stuff on ebay today. I mean - just look at this thing. It's a GMC underneath with some kind of weird Lincoln Zephur front stuck on.

2005 Pontiac Grand Am

You might have heard some car companies exclaim that their "beauty is in the details". At Pontiac, the fugliness is in the details. A good example of this is the Pontiac Grand Am. It’s full of lame attempts to convey sportiness.

For example:

The "Ram-Air" hood scoops are blocked with honeycomb patterned black plastic. It’s so bad you can even see it in the press photos on their website (although possibly not in this shrunken down version).

Little aircraft-like wings and "speed swipes" are everywhere. Note the winglets on the rear spoiler.

"Speed Swipes" on the rims to convey motion. Chrome rims up the tacky factor.

Also, note the typical craptastic Pontiac interior. Large round vents, cheap plastics with bad textures, odd organic forms and eerie "Satan Orange" backlit gauges and buttons. But what makes the Grand Am interior unique is the gigantic pods housing the speedometer and tach. I think they’re supposed to look like jet engine afterburners or something. But it looks more like Dolly Parton’s bra.

Toronado from the Land of Oz

In the sequel to the "Wizard of Oz", Dorothy attempts to create a movable car based home to prevent it from being sucked up again. Car of choice? Oldsmobile Toronado of course.

Those beasts were front wheel drive too. With all THAT to haul around, the front tires were probably permanently burning rubber.

Badge Engineering

We all know that GM is the king of badge engineering. But even back in the '80's with all the Buick/Olds/Chev clones parading around, I have yet to see something this balantly cheap. And GM has done so good with it's badge engineering as of late. I mean - they actually have different bodywork. Usually.

This is not the case. At first you may think, "Hey - an Isuzu Rodeo isn't that bad." Well, it isn't. But this is an Australian version of the Rodeo, rebadged as a Holden Frontera. Still it's not all that bad. But look at the grille. Are you telling me they couldn't afford an NEW GRILLE?!? You can see the freaking rectangular box where the Isuzu logo usually goes!! How cheap can you possibly be?? For those that may argue "my American Rodeo has a different grille" well it does - they used basically the same front end setup as on the Amigo - the American 2-door convertable Rodeo.

If that's not bad enough, the unfortunetly named Holden Jackaroo (isn't that the name of that stupid jackrabbit muppet thing on America's Funniest Home Videos?) has a similar afflication. PS: Although the license plate says Monterey, it's a trim package on the Jackaroo.