A blog devoted to RANTS ON AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN, car reviews, and - above all - fugly autos. whether looking for vehicular plagiarism or rides of extreme tastelessness, you've come to the right place.


Saturday, September 17, 2005

Volkswagen New 959


Almost had me fooled there for a second! I thought I was looking at a Porsche 959, but in fact it's a cleverly disguised Volkswagen New Beetle. Who'd a thunk it??

It's a kit from a company apparently called "Duopower", and is apparently is classed as a kit car although it's clearly just a bodykit with really expensive Porsche 993 headlights.

1972 Pontiac "Race Car"



This beauty appears to be homemade. The ebay listing offers this description:

“This is a Race Car! It starts, runs and drives good… It looks to be built on a 1972 Pontiac Grandville chassis, with the original dash, and it is equipped with what looks like the original 455 V8 gas engine. It has a sheet metal body and everything has been stripped that is not necessary making it very light and extremely fast! It also has custom tires. The power steering is not working, but this car starts right up every time. We have no history on the car, such as racing history, if any, but it looks like it was built more for advertising and showing.”

So it’s a “race car” that MAY have raced, MAY have a 455 and MAY be based on a Pontiac Granville. It also MAY not be safe to drive. I'm not sure if I would buy something from someone with such vague descriptions. I would also not buy something that fugly.

VW Camaro Replica




One of the most bizarre replicas I have seen, this VW based kit replicates a truly rare American car – the Camaro. Of course I’m being sacastic. Who bought this new? Who was the target market - hicks with no money to buy a Camaro and too much time on their hands? Who would buy it used? Why on earth would you buy a bad VW based Camaro when you could buy a bad Camaro based Camaro?

Another question is exactly who made it. I’m not posting the ebay listing out of respect to privacy, but the current owner claims, “I am not sure, but I was told that the body may have been made in Muson (Monson)Mass., by a place called KAR (Leroy Sharete maybe).” That means nothing to me however. It’s based on a 68-69 “full size” VW, and the car was last registered in 1978. It has no side or rear windows, and although now bare, the interior was once fitted with shag carpeting.