The challenge was to pick five of the ugliest cars from the Big Three and explain the choices. A couple of self-imposed restrictions also included staying within the 25 year span of 1960 to 1985 and to not include the Edsel. It just didn’t seem fair to pick on the grand-ugly of them all or to focus on the automotive era where everything looks the same. With these criteria in mind and assigning no particular order, these candidates made this ugly cut.

Ford Thunderbird 1967-1982

Ford executives had long been moving the T-bird into the direction of a full-sized luxury car. Until this time however, they had resisted the complete abandonment of its sporty heritage. Beginning in 1967, Ford took the design “squarely” into the luxe-box category and never looked back until they rediscovered their souls with the T-bird’s redesign in 1983. 

The previously stylish Thunderbird became the “flatulent turkey.” This era of bird is good meat for carving out some nice engines, strong power trains and the occasional luxury goodies to feed to other healthy and fit bodies. However once you’re down to that ugly carcass, call the recycler!

MoPars of the early 1960’s

It was once said that the reason they made Mopars so fast was that they were so ugly when they were standing still. Looking back at the styling cues of the Chrysler Corporation in the early 1960’s, it’s hard to disagree. While the other American manufacturers were pursuing the streamlined, “jet-age” designs that were the hallmark of the era, somehow Chrysler’s designs morphed into shapes that more resembled mechanical mutations of the insect world.

Homely they were, the development of Mopar’s legendary horsepower kept these vehicles desirable. Attend any Mopar show or race and you will find a plethora of these entomologist’s dream cars just waiting to blow your doors off! 

Chevrolet Chevette

Chevrolet’s edition of the circus “clown car” has to be considered as one of the most seriously cosmetically challenged vehicles of all time. It’s boxy features are reminiscent of an old shoe skate with nearly as much go power. 

Its sales appeal came from it’s high fuel mileage numbers at the height of the oil embargo. The ugly design continued to re-enforce the opinion that American manufacturers could not get the hang of building a stylish and efficient compact car that could effectively compete with the imports.

Chevrolet Corvair

You either loved them or hated them but the Corvair has a place on this list for it’s build quality as well as it’s appearance. Overheating issues, oil leaks, weak suspension and steering combined with their unusual Euro-American styling gave these cars an ugly reputation. Ralph Nader drove the last nail into the Corvair’s coffin with his crusade against the model and despite multiple improvements in quality, style and performance, Chevy terminated Corvair production in 1969.

As the Corvair program was drawing its last breath, multiple safety studies were undertaken and released that contradicted much of the previous damning criticisms. However the damage was done and any remaining public support was just not enough for Chevy to continue the model. 

Ford Pinto

Here’s another product that was ugly all the way to the bone. What it lacked in visual appeal it made up for in temperamental timing, unsure shifting and random steering direction. Add to that mix its reputation for becoming a road flare in its own rear-end collisions and you have one ugly little automotive mistake. 

There were a couple of famous escapees from the Pinto abyss in the creations raced by Pro Stock legends Bob Glidden and the Gapp & Rousch Team. They went fast, straight and didn’t catch fire…but they were still homely!

This list is by no means complete or even accurate. It’s just the opinion of one lowly enthusiast that’s been around for a while. In fact, a certain Mopar loving editor is probably plotting his revenge at this moment! 

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but everyone knows ugly when they see it! Think of your own list of your top five ugly cars and share them in the comments section.