Every cloud has a silver lining… No, that’s not the right metaphor. How about, even a broken clock is right twice a day? Nope, that’s not it either. I’m not sure what the apt comparison might be but suffice to say that there have been a huge number of cars over the years that, while generally terrible, have had a few redeeming special models. Which of those not so terrible cars do you think are the most interesting today?
Image: BeaterBlog
Hooniverse Asks: What Special Edition of a Forgettable Car is Worth Remembering?
By Robert Emslie
Jun 2, 2016
Jeff Glucker
Er…
A broken cloud gathers no moss?
A silver clock is worth two in the bush?
(I’m not really helping.)
It even had the logo embroidered on the tan and navy leather seats.
Cobalt SS – especially the ’08-’10 turbocharged models. 260hp, 5 speed, legit 0-60 in 5.5 seconds and 1/4 mile times under 14.
http://www.bestcarinf.com/manufacturers/chevrolet/chevrolet-cobalt/chevrolet-cobalt-ss-turbocharged/chevrolet-cobalt-ss-turbocharged-3.jpg
For what it’s worth, I have a friend that has owned (in this order) an SS/SC, an SS/TC, and an Ion Redline (so basically an SS/SC with weird doors) – I think he actually likes the supercharged cars more, but raves (justifiably) about them all.
http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2014/07/MM134-BUG-76CosworthVega-F3Qtr9913.jpg
What terrible car is the most interesting today? Since I didn’t see the word desirable anywhere in that, I present a Mustang with pretensions of luxury.
It has been quite a while since there was a terrible Mustang. In fact, most cars have been pretty good for some time. Apparently not being terrible wasn’t an option in 1978. Arguably peak malaise. Build quality, durability, performance? Nope, nope, and puh-leeze. Chrome, vinyl, and badging were the orders of the day. Even the Mustang fell victim. Interesting? Like a train wreck, I dare you to not sneak a peek.
http://hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/12080884636_537c93edd0_b-001.jpg
At least they have the tools to put it out of its misery close at hand.
http://tanshanomi.com/temp/animated/Lina-Lamont_I-Liked-It.gif
I can’t see a red Celebrity Eurosport and not think of this work of insanity from the Pro Street days…
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/ebay-find-of-the-day-1983-chevy-celebrity-eurosport-dragster
http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/750×422/quality/95/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/prostreetcelebrity5.jpg
It reminds me of this music video, which uses Eurosport VR stock/promo video footage.
https://youtu.be/gER9f1d2Dwk
The metaphor you are searching for is:
“Even a blind pig finds an acorn now and then”
Is it a Talbot? Is it a Sunbeam? Is it a Lotus? Don’t answer, I prefer the mystery of not knowing.
http://images.car.bauercdn.com/upload/33445/images/01_lotus_sunbeam.jpg
in a similar vein, the Vauxhall Chevette HSR
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Vauxhall_Chevette_HSR_front.jpg
I was going to go with Dodge Spitit R/T, but I think turbomunivan is even more appropriate.
http://www.gusmahon.org/images/burn4.jpeg
The Mondeo-based Ford Contour was supposed to be Ford’s world car. Until Ford NA cheapened it up so much that it bore little mechanical resemblance to it’s European twin. However, SVT took the Contour and made something special out of it. A family sedan with 200 hp and a 5-speed manual. A couple hundred horsepower in a family sedan isn’t all that special today, but considering most small family sedans at the time were making do with 150 to 170 hp, getting those extra ponies could help get Junior to daycare quicker.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Ford-SVT-Contour.jpg
I might be biased because I owned one, but the 1984 1/2 Mustang GT350 was peak ’80s Special Edition. It’s worth remembering because it took a really average car and added bordello-red interior, neat horsey badges, and factory louvers. http://www.allfordmustangs.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1984-gt350-turbo.png
Alfa Romeo Arna 1.5 Ti 🙂
Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3c/16/90/3c1690c01efb57456cbdbfac1510cbb7.jpg
Oh yeah! I really want one of these.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j15/Fuhrman16/pintosquire_zpsierv7zjh.jpg
Give it up for the magnificent mail slot.
http://www.tflcar.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chevrolet-sprint-turbo_100383061_m.jpg
The entire Lancer Evo lineup. http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/10/2015/09/2015-Mitsubishi-Lancer-Evolution-MR-front-three-quarter-in-motion-03.jpg
1986 Buick LeSabre Grand National
Oo I knew I should have clicked that blue ‘see one new comment’ banner before I posted!
Please tell me there’s still glass underneath that tacked-on plastic panel.
Don’t know – I’ve never seen one up close.
I would assume so. That’s what they did with the quarter window of the 90’s Impala SS.
Nope, they actually fitted smaller quarter glass.
http://76.162.0.90/images/Host/LGN-Closeout-01.jpg
Take a Buick Regal, remove all that personal luxury coupe drek, and add some awesome. The cure for mid-’80s Malaise. Have fun showing C3 Corvettes and Fox Mustangs your tail lights.
http://www.motivemag.com/Content/uploads/1/gn-2.jpg
Oh, and then put some of that personal luxury coupe drek back in, and make it faster. Regal Turbo T Limited
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/WO2T.jpg/640px-WO2T.jpg
On a related note, while third gen F-bodies have their own gestalt, but I always thought the Trans Ams with the turbo Buick V6 had a different cut to their jib.
http://www.allpar.com/photos/dodge/omni/shelby.jpg
The Citation X-11 is generally regarded as a surprisingly good version of a rather terrible car.
http://image.automobilemag.com/f/features/news/1111_the_chevrolet_100/38810967+w968/1984-chevrolet-citation-x-11-front-left-side-view.jpg
It seems that GM was pretty good at this in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Plenty of mediocre cars with decent or interesting specials.
Citation > X-11
Vega > Cosworth
Beretta > GTZ
Regal > GN
Fiero > GT (especially the ’88)
Lesabre > GN
Olds 88 > LSS
I’d add the Quad 442 and Achieva SCX to that list.
Bonneville > GXP
Cobalt > SS
Regal > GS
they’re still good at it.
Yeah, but they’ve improved their game on the bottom end a fair bit.
Olds 88? Yawn. But strip off some chrome, apply a tasteful body kit, tighten up the suspension and call it the LSS and you’ve got something interesting.
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/3003/3401/7506700001_large.jpg
I quite like the 2005-’06 Toyota Corolla XRS. Sport suspension, front and rear strut tower braces, mandatory 6-speed stick and the same high-po 2ZZ-GE engine as the contemporary Celica GT-S, Matrix XRS and Pontiac Vibe GT (albeit with 10 fewer horsepower).
http://www.jbcarpages.com/toyota/corolla/2005/pictures/images/2005_toyota_corolla_picture%20(22).jpg
forgot these existed until i saw one at work yesterday. that body kit is so stupid, but that car is so intriguing.
A front-wheel drive V-8 Buick Lacrosse with 300 hp, 0-60 in 6 flat and rock solid on the highway. It was Super. Except for the transmission.
I love that GM bothered to do an LS motor specifically for transverse applications. Almost makes me want to look for a 308 or Urraco with a fragged engine so I can put one in it…
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i92/bigmikegxp/2f2cca75.jpg
Balance:
https://jaymanalotoibm.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/speeding-1-initial-d.jpg