The 1980s was a decade of excess, both in fashion and in automotive design. While some cars from this era have become cult classics, others have faded into obscurity. Today, we’ll take a nostalgic yet critical look at five of the worst-looking cars from the 1980s that we wouldn’t be caught driving today. From bizarre design choices to questionable ownership experiences, these vehicles are a testament to what not to do in automotive design.
1. The AMC Pacer: The Fishbowl of Disaster
The AMC Pacer, produced from 1975 through 1980, is often referred to as “the fishbowl” due to its massive glass area. This design choice was intended to improve visibility, but it made the Pacer feel cramped and uncomfortable. The Pacer’s styling was so unpopular that it was even parodied in the 1987 film “Back to the Future.”
The Engine Conundrum
The Pacer was originally designed to be propelled by a rotary engine, but this plan was scrapped due to fuel economy and emissions issues. Instead, AMC had to shoehorn its trusty inline-six engine under the hood, with a V8 option coming later. This compromise led to poor performance and handling, further tarnishing the Pacer’s reputation.
Sales Slump
Sales started out decent for the first two years, but began to falter just as a wagon was added to the lineup. From a high of 117,244 Pacers made in 1976, production dropped to around 2,000 units in 1980. The market had clearly lost interest in the AMC Pacer, and it was discontinued at the end of 1980.
2. The MGB: A British Beauty Gone Wrong
The MGB, once a quintessential British sports car, was a victim of its own success. From production of the first MGB in 1962 until the early 1974 models, MGBs had graceful chrome bumpers. But in 1974, new 5 mph bumper rules took effect in the U.S. market, leading to the addition of black rubber bumpers. This change, while seemingly minor, had a significant impact on the MGB’s handling and overall appeal.
Handling Issues
The addition of the rubber bumpers increased the MGB’s ride height, leading to poor handling and big gaps around the wheels. The removal of the front sway bar in 1975 and 1976 for cost-cutting reasons made the handling even worse. Emissions controls also took their toll, with the fitting of a catalytic converter and moving from dual carbs to a single one in 1975.
Obsolete by 1980
A comparison test done by Car and Driver in 1980 confirmed the MGB’s shortcomings, commenting that it, “…acted like a septuagenarian running a decathlon. It hopped like a buckboard over bumps, and in corners it leaned over on its door handles…” The MGB was essentially obsolete, but British Leyland kept the lines going due to the high cost of tooling. Production ended in the U.S. in 1980, with bumper-car values continuing to lag behind their chrome-bumpered siblings.
3. The Lincoln Versailles: A Case of Bad Cloning
The Lincoln Versailles, introduced in 1977, was Ford’s attempt to compete with the success of Cadillac’s bustle-back Seville in the compact luxury car arena. However, the Versailles was a case of bad cloning, with its styling and features lifted directly from the Ford Granada.
Styling and Features
Where the Cadillac Seville had received all-new sheet metal to form its unique body style, Ford went the cheap route with its upscaling of its Ford Granada. The Versailles’ side view was identical to the Granada’s, its wheelbase was the same, and so were the engine and transmission choices. Even so, Lincoln priced the Versailles at the top of its range, making it the most expensive Lincoln available.
Sales Disappointment
The Versailles was introduced at a price of $11,500 and ended production in 1980. This meant that it cost almost four times more than the Granada it was cloned from. Sales of the Lincoln Versailles never met either Ford’s projections or the numbers being put up by the Cadillac Seville. Starting at 15,434 in partial-year 1977, sales dropped to 8,931 in 1978, recovered to more than 21,000 in 1979 when the car was restyled, then plummeted to 4,784 in 1980, its last year on the market. The Versailles’ four-year sales total was approximately equal to one year of Seville production. It was a failure.
4. The Dodge Rampage: A Homely Homage
The Dodge Rampage, along with its 1983-only platform mate, the Plymouth Scamp, were two variants built on the bones of the venerable Dodge Omni. They featured styling that Motor Trend called both “homely” and “dopey.” This ungainly veh was a clear attempt to cash in on the Omni’s popularity, but it fell flat.
Design Flaws
The Rampage’s design was a mix of the best and worst of the 1980s. The front end was a nod to the Omni, but the rear end was a disaster. The Rampage’s tail lights were placed on the rear bumper, which was a clear design flaw. The Rampage’s interior was also a mess, with a dashboard that was a mess of buttons and dials.
Sales Failure
The Rampage was introduced in 1982 and ended production in 1984. Despite its homely design, the Rampage was a sales failure. Only 10,000 units were sold in its three-year run, making it one of the least successful models in Dodge’s history.
5. The Yugo: The People’s Car Gone Wrong
The Yugo, produced from 1980 to 2008, was a case study in what not to do in automotive design. The Yugo was a cheap, basic car that was sold as a “people’s car.” However, its design was so unappealing that it became a symbol of bad design.
Design Nightmare
The Yugo’s design was a mess of angles and curves that didn’t work together. The Yugo’s front end was a disaster, with a large grille that took up most of the front of the car. The Yugo’s rear end was also a mess, with a large spoiler that made the car look like it was about to take off.
Ownership Nightmare
The Yugo was also a nightmare to own. The Yugo was a cheap car, but it was also a cheap car to maintain. The Yugo’s engine was a mess of parts that didn’t work together, leading to poor performance and reliability. The Yugo’s interior was also a mess, with a dashboard that was a mess of buttons and dials.
Conclusion
The 1980s was a decade of excess, both in fashion and in automotive design. While some cars from this era have become cult classics, others have faded into obscurity. The AMC Pacer, MGB, Lincoln Versailles, Dodge Rampage, and Yugo are all examples of what not to do in automotive design. These cars are a testament to the importance of good design in the automotive industry. Good design not only makes a car look good, but it also makes it a pleasure to own and drive.
FAQ
What made the AMC Pacer so bad?
The AMC Pacer was bad for several reasons. Its massive glass area made it feel cramped and uncomfortable. Its engine was a compromise, leading to poor performance and handling. And its sales were a disaster, with production dropping to around 2,000 units in 1980.
Why was the MGB a failure?
The MGB was a failure due to a combination of factors. The addition of rubber bumpers in 1974 led to poor handling and big gaps around the wheels. The removal of the front sway bar in 1975 and 1976 for cost-cutting reasons made the handling even worse. Emissions controls also took their toll, with the fitting of a catalytic converter and moving from dual carbs to a single one in 1975. The MGB was essentially obsolete, but British Leyland kept the lines going due to the high cost of tooling. Production ended in the U.S. in 1980, with bumper-car values continuing to lag behind their chrome-bumpered siblings.
What went wrong with the Lincoln Versailles?
The Lincoln Versailles was a case of bad cloning, with its styling and features lifted directly from the Ford Granada. The Versailles was introduced at a price of $11,500 and ended production in 1980. This meant that it cost almost four times more than the Granada it was cloned from. Sales of the Lincoln Versailles never met either Ford’s projections or the numbers being put up by the Cadillac Seville. Starting at 15,434 in partial-year 1977, sales dropped to 8,931 in 1978, recovered to more than 21,000 in 1979 when the car was restyled, then plummeted to 4,784 in 1980, its last year on the market. The Versailles’ four-year sales total was approximately equal to one year of Seville production. It was a failure.
Why was the Dodge Rampage a sales failure?
The Dodge Rampage was a sales failure due to its homely design. The Rampage’s design was a mix of the best and worst of the 1980s. The front end was a nod to the Omni, but the rear end was a disaster. The Rampage’s tail lights were placed on the rear bumper, which was a clear design flaw. The Rampage’s interior was also a mess, with a dashboard that was a mess of buttons and dials. The Rampage was introduced in 1982 and ended production in 1984. Despite its homely design, the Rampage was a sales failure. Only 10,000 units were sold in its three-year run, making it one of the least successful models in Dodge’s history.
What made the Yugo so bad?
The Yugo was bad for several reasons. Its design was a mess of angles and curves that didn’t work together. The Yugo’s front end was a disaster, with a large grille that took up most of the front of the car. The Yugo’s rear end was also a mess, with a large spoiler that made the car look like it was about to take off. The Yugo was also a nightmare to own. The Yugo’s engine was a mess of parts that didn’t work together, leading to poor performance and reliability. The Yugo’s interior was also a mess, with a dashboard that was a mess of buttons and dials.
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