Ugliest car ever? Photos from www.steelhorsemag.com

Father Alfred Juliano, a Catholic priest with a lifelong interest in automotive design, created his dream vehicle with the intent of having American automobile manufacturers build it. Juliano had won a scholarship from General Motors to train and study under Harley Earl, but the offer came after he was ordained.

His passion to make automobiles safer thrived however, and the Father pushed forward with his purpose-built design.The car was intended to be the first car that placed a priority on occupant safety rather than profit. It was expected to be offered with Chrysler, Cadillac, or a Lincoln engine as the customer desired. A prototype car was built, partially funded by Father Juliano’s congregation. Later the engine choices were defined as four different GM engine options as Juliano sought to partner with GM.

The Aurora prototype car cost $30,000 to build and the company projected to sell the production cars at $12,000. Considering the most expensive domestic car at the time was the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham at $13,000, it was going to be an expensive car.

The $30,000 1957 Prototype Build

Built on 1953 Buick frame, the body was mostly fiberglass over plywood structure, which Juliano claimed was corrosion proof and dent proof. He also used shatterproof plastic windows, a built in roll cage, seat belts, padded instrument panel and a collapsible steering wheel. Many of these features are used in cars today making these safety features ahead of their time in 1957.

The car was among the first to have onboard hydraulic jacks, activated by dashboard control, that lifted the car off the ground for servicing. The driver’s seat was placed toward the center of the car to protect against side impact.

The car also included side impact bars, a spare tire that was mounted under the front to help absorb impacts with a front bumper that was designed with a lip to catch pedestrians and not drive over them. The bulging windshield was designed to reduce head injures and the distance between driver and passengers was increased to prevent injuries. The oddest feature was the high back and reinforced pivoting seats that were designed to swivel to face the rear in an imminent collision.

What Happened?

The prototype car was built and Father Juliano drove the car on a 120 city tour to help generate interest and find a company willing to help manufacture the car. The car’s lack of performance, along with it’s appearance and high price did not inspire the public and Father Juliano failed to get any advance orders for the production vehicles. The company fell into debt that it was not able to overcome and Father Juliano left the order in disgrace. He returned to Philadelphia to care for his ill mother.

When the company declared bankruptcy the car was relinquished to a Connecticut body shop for unpaid bills. It sat in a field behind the shop for decades until auto enthusiast Andy Sanders bought and restored the prototype car.

During Christmas of 1988, the disgraced former padre suffered a massive brain hemorrhage while in a library. He was hospitalized and died a broken man a few months later in  March of 1989.

Restoration was completed and the car was unveiled at the 2005 Goodwood Festival of Speed. It is now shown at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hampshire, England. The car has often been called “the ugliest car ever made” by the press.