The Worst or Most Pug Ugly Car In The World

[scoundrel]

Originally Posted by BigBucket

Ah the beetle, people conveniently forget that this car was officially endorced by the biggest mass murderer in the world. That alone should have consigned this vehicle to well deserved obscurity.

The co-founders of Volkswagen were Hitler and his flunkey, Robert Ley, who committed suicide after the indictments at the Nuremberg war crimes trial: there should have been 24 defendents, not 23 and Leys was the empty chair in the dock.

Nevertheless BB I don't agree that this should have meant the obliteration of VW, an internationally respected company, or the Type 1 Beetle, IMHO a great 20th Century icon, from history, any more than a collective punishment of all German citizens, which Henry Morganthal, FDR's Treasury Secretary, argued for in 1945. Under the Morganthau Plan, you would have had your way and VW would have been expunged as part of a greater drive to destroy Germany's entire industrial base and turn her into a pastoral economy. I have to say that I thank God that common sense and humanity prevailed over the understandable lust for revenge. But all this is much too heavy for this thread.

However, there's a very relevent discussion of VW's history here, if you are interested, BB. See posts 296-298; 300; 311; 316; 318 and 319.

[G-Type]

Originally Posted by scoundrel

It's great selling point was that it was cheap. I am catastrophically mean with money, everyone who ever met me will confirm this. That's why I became an accountant. But how cheap is cheap enough?

As far as I know, the Wartburgs have been sold in some West-European countries (including UK??) and they have been comparably cheap there.

However, in the East-European countries where it has been manufactured and sold, it has been very expensive (compared to the Trabant) and was treated as the "Mercedes" there.

As for the build-quality, it was remarkably well done compared to the russian competitors at that time...

[dbailey]

Originally Posted by fleetwood77

Anything that the ugly sycophantic f******* who make up the audience of Top Gear think is "cool" is ipso facto the worst car in the world.

Hmm...I agree with the sycophantic and yes the beardy men are a turn off.....but just look beyond the presenters at the first row of ladies........I think that the producers have some of the foxiest looking girls in the front row.

A couple of weeks back, a comedian, I forget who, said that he often knocked one out whist watching 'Loose Women' , now this was a joke I hope as I would be pushed to raise a smile at many of the gagggling middle aged hoofers that they have on......but the girls in the audience of Top Gear...........Hmmmm nice. Often prompts a visit to this august body

[billybunter]

Lada, Skoda (pre volkswagon) and most American cars built in the 70s.

[G-Type]

Originally Posted by billybunter

... and most American cars built in the 70s.

Indeed, the Ford Pinto...

[9876543210]

I see GeorgeMcSpoon got around to the Ford Pinto (certainly one of the biggest pieces of cr@p ever made and really nice in a rear end collision) but don't forget the Chevy Vega. An old gf of mine had a brand new one back in the early 70's and I don't think that thing ever ran more than a few days without breaking down and having to be towed. That thing left a real bad taste in my mouth for Chevy.

And I loved the Beetle! Have owned two over the years and would buy another. Those things got around in the snow when just about everything else was parked or hung up. One brief story. Was going down the Interstate one night with a friend and came up to a toll booth. Flipped in the coins and hit the gas.....nothing! Pushed the Bug off to the side of the road and opened the rear door to find that the accelerator cable had broken at the carb. Found a small piece of wire and jury rigged the cable to the carb. Took maybe 10 minutes and we were off. I don't remember how long that lasted but it was quite a while.

Can't do that with many, if any, cars these days.

[TCO95]

The original Citroen 2cv had canvas draped over a frame (ie lawn chairs) for seats.
Every trick was used to keep the price down so the poorest potato farmer could afford one.

[gunner]

When I was at school (far too long ago) one of our science teachers had a Wartburg, he was unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision whilst driving it. The engine ended up in the boot (trunk), taking most of him with it. Needless to say he didnt survive.

[Estreeter]

Originally Posted by TCO95

The original Citroen 2cv had canvas draped over a frame (ie lawn chairs) for seats.
Every trick was used to keep the price down so the poorest potato farmer could afford one.

Citroen
Have they ever made a car that at least looked good

[Kizzypopper]

The Princess from British Leyland!