Byuck

I don't know what this is, was, or is trying to look like - but it has a faint resemblance to a Buick. It was at the Tokyo auto show in 2005 though, so I can only assume it started off at least partially a Japanese car.

Mini Retrovan

Wow - it's like a neoclassic minivan, retro style. And it appears as if the wood "grain" (I say grain as the simulated texture looks like pulp, or clipboard maybe) might even be painted on.

Veilside: Dustbuster Fug

Japanese car tuner and bodykit maker not only makes attractive and powerful modified Japanese cars, they also make fugly and powerful modified Japanese cars.

Once again an attempt to take racecar looks to the street in some form, each of these cars displays an elongated snout not unlike a dustbuster. Some forms of racing (like the JGTC) allow for front and rear air damn extensions to their cars to improve aerodynamics, but they aren't always pretty. But some people feel the need to emulate them, and cars like this are the result. The Hyundai Tiburon fairs worse. Not only because the stock design has smallish wheel wells and rides a bit tall, but because they also felt the need to add multiple "extreme to the maxx" organic air scoops.

When Fugly Cars Get Fuglier: ZX2

When the Ford Escort ZX2 coupe debuted, I found it to be boring and ugly at the same time. It was like the Ford Taurus's uglier wallflower little sister. The mid-section is ok - but it's nothing exciting. It's too high off the ground. Then there's the Ford Taurus / Lexus SC / Escort front end, which just looks like a cheap attempt at looking cool. And the weird stretched taffy taillights. Some may have liked it, but I found the whole cars very, very boring. And kinda dated even when it came out.

Then when it was getting long in the tooth, they gave it a facelift that not only made it look uglier but also older! Is it just me, or does the new grille give off an erie 1978 AMC Gremlin vibe? Don't mind the new front air damn though. And also strangely (most likely as they're too cheap) they didn't change the taffy taillights. Inexplicably, this was offered for a while when the Focus was out to make it's existants more confusing. It's finally dead.

Hoopty Rides

Hoopty Rides

Just me reporting a cool blog I found while looking around. Slightly car based, but no fug.

Imperillac

This strange hybrid was photographed in a middle eastern country. Basically, it's a 1958 Chrysler Imperial with a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado front end poorly grafted on. And for some reason, it appears to have the hubcaps off an early 90's Chevy Lumina.

Thunderbird, the Fugly Years

I'm going to cover two generations of Thunderbirds here. However, the later I find truely fugly and was the main reason for the post.

When the Thunderbird was born, it was a British ragtop and Corvette competitor. Basically a convertable, 2 seater grand touring car. However, in 1958 it morphed into a 4 seater coupe. Then back to a 2 seater coupe for 1961, and so on and so forth until 1967 - but always in a coupe form. 1967 saw the introduction of a sedan.

In the early 70's, Thunderbirds were again having a revolution. This time it was changed from a car with a sporting nature to a full size, 4 seat coupe with pure luxury intentions. This meant 1970's American luxury, which was chrome, velour sofas for seats, opera windows and soggy suspension. This generation of T-Birds was based off the Ford Torino. In 1977, Ford decided to "downsize" the car. Which was basically just cutting a few inches off either end, and still basing it off the Torino. This is the car of the first pic above.

The 1977-1979 I find to be the second fugliest of all Thunderbirds. Although it's an evolution of the previous generation, all it's styling seems to be exessive 10 times more. The multiple side windows and opera windows, the side vents, the massive grille, and the covered headlamps. And of course those unnecessarily huge and fugly taillights. However, it's only a piece of the fugliness to come.

I've already covered the Mustang II elsewhere. The Thunderbird that replaced the 1979 model followed the same horrible downsizing theme - you would think they would have learned.

The 1980 model was a true downsizing (with it's sister ship Mercury Cougar). How much you ask? It was 800Ibs lighter and 17 inches shorter. The body on frame construction was replaced with a unit-body, based on the"Fox Platform" used by the Fairmont - and ironically the Mustang (which replaced the Mustang II). Having their sports car and their more expensive luxury tourer on the same platform must have been a tough sell. Especially when it appeared to be nothing more than a fancy Fairmont with Thunderbird stying. Compare the 1977-79 Thunderbird with the 1980-82 model below it. Basically, it's a Fairmont coupe with the previous generations styling themes applied on top. And it looks even more awkward. Like 1970's excess on a smaller boxy 80's coupe.

Also, for the first time in it's history, a 4 cylinder and V-6 engines were available with the 5.0L as optional (remind you of the Mustang II?). 1981 and 1982 were essentially carryovers, except the 302 was dropped and replaced with a weaker 4.2L V8.

Although the Mercury Cougar shared this sad story, at least it looks better - even if it looked even MORE like a Fairmont. And even sadder - it was available as a STATION WAGON for some reason, which was even more of a Fairmont clone.

Were the 80's good for anything?

Civic Disobedience

The latest generation of the Honda Civic has been controversial since it was born. Many of the fans of the hot-hatch were disappointed by it's wedgy and short front overhang, and thought it looked like a minivan. I felt this way at first, but I grew to like the car.

However, in trying to spark the interest of the current speed-racer crowd, they then updated the look with what I think are the most awkward looking projector beam headlights in the world. Sure they're brighter, but they're fugging hideous. And the new "Euro" tails aren't much to look at either. Why must all Japanese companies make some form of clear lense taillights? Some look ok, but most look cheap and ugly.

Domo Arigato, MRS Zagato

Usually, Italian automotive design firms make beautiful cars. Even when modifying currently existing models. Zagato is famous for it's Zagato bodied Aston Martins for the past 40 or so years.

However a couple years ago they decided to rebody the slightly homely/boring Toyota MRS/MR2, and this is what they came out with. It sorta looks like a squashed spider or flounder. The rear end doesn't look quite as fugly, although it does sorta have a 1950's Americana feel too it.

Trabant Limo - Luxury at it's fugliest

A custom limo Trabant, of which there are many. Some are obviously a mockery of the car, much like the Yugos you see transformed into telephones and such.

However, this nuclear green version seems to be an honest attempt at a limo. Some fugly details are the numerous different windows, the 3 axles, and it's super luxerious back seat, which appears to be a mix of taxicab and 1970's furniture. Note the light fixtures.