American manufacturers co-created the modern automotive world, but in addition to miraculous advances, they also produced unflattering models.
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Automobile companies from all continents are shaping automotive evolution with a smaller or larger contribution. Advanced possibilities supporting innovative ideas are created by the technological development of drives, chassis, safety features, luxury equipment and design.
Each new model is of course characterized by original shapes, but the natural differences reach such an intensity that the design goes to the extreme and missteps occur that the manufacturer would rather forget. As much as the American industry has contributed to the development of motoring, it has not been without a few of the mistakes listed below.
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1. Vanguard-Sebring CitiCar (1974)
The year 1974 was accompanied by the premiere of one of the strangest cars built on American roads. Life threatening Vanguard-Sebring CitiCar threatened with injury in the slightest accident, zero deformation zones mediated direct contact with the road. The strictly functional design has fallen victim to the aerodynamic body weight savings. Low drag airflow was a must due to the paltry battery power of roughly 3.5 horsepower. The electrics were able to last less than 65 kilometers at the same value of the maximum achievable speed. Approximately four thousand units were sold.
Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar (1974)
2. Stout Scarab (1935)
Minivans have been desirable in the US since the introduction of the bizarre Stout Scarab in the 1930s. Thanks to the drive of the rear axle directly under the stored engine, there was enough space in the forward direction for the comfortable transportation of six passengers. Apart from the driver, the others could play cards or feast on the folding table, the back bench replaced the recliner for smaller figures. Only nine cars were completed, as practicality overcame the overly eccentric shapes.
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Stout Scarab (1932–1935)
3. Cadillac Cyclone (1959)
The concept Cadillacu Cyclone from 1959 was designed to resemble a rocket ship. The unconventionally accessible glass bubble of the cockpit provided a safe overview of what was going on around the entire vehicle, on the other hand, it discouraged conservative buyers, and the solar furnace inside also did not add plus points in the decision for serial production.
Cadillac Cyclone
4. AMC Pacer (1976)
There was also an excellent view from the Pacer, made up of 40% glass. Where the transparent material was missing, the unpleasant shapes of the seemingly straddled hatchback continued. The sloping roof and extended side line may have had supporters, which cannot be said about the inline six-cylinder, which for that time showed too high consumption supported by the excess weight of the entire car.
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AMC Pacer X (1975)
5. Chevrolet SSR (2003)
The worst examples of American production include Chevrolet SSR from 2003. The futuristic two-door model went through a major identity crisis throughout its existence. The failed concept hybrid was sold as an open pick-up with a retractable roof. Instead of a multifunctional device for every day, a caricature was created unable to meet the basic requirements of the owners.
Chevrolet SSR
6. Plymouth Prowler (1997)
Plymouth really launched an attempt to create a modern hot rod inspired by the Ford of the early 1930s. The recipe included exposed front suspension along with split fenders and lots of lightweight aluminum, the confident solution ended there and unfortunately didn’t continue under the inimitable hood. A weak six-cylinder engine was hidden on the front between the halved bumper, which did not convince enough buyers. Prowler surviving for five years, he became the final nail in the coffin Plymouthu.
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Plymouth Prowler
7. Pontiac Aztek (2001)
America’s version of the hated Fiat Multipla could bear the label Pontiac Aztek. At least as ugly, the model mixes SUV and crossover style in the form of unrelated design elements. The monster from Pontiac still garners ridicule 17 years after the end of production. The shocking work was prepared by Tom Peters, who stayed with GM for most of his life and earned much more acceptable sketches of globally popular cars (Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro, etc.).
Pontiac Aztek
8. General Motors Firebird 1 XP-21 (1953)
The Land of Unlimited Possibilities is home to the Firebird 1 XP-21 combining car and jet fighter. The rear-wheel-drive, turbine-powered prototype had 375 horsepower (276 kW). The practical side reaches exactly the same level as the one-seater layout of the shark-shaped road kart. One cannot deny the interest, but multi-piece production would be as expensive as useless.
General Motors Firebird 1 XP-21 (1954)
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