Time Magazine’s Worst cars of 1966-1971
Time Magazine tackled a monumental task by narrowing down the worst of the worst vehicles ever made. They compiled a list of 50 Worst cars of all time broken down by the years they were produced.
Here is the seventh installation of articles targeting the bottom feeders of the automotive world.
Peel Trident 1966
and at least it earned itself the title of the world’s smallest car.
Image from Time
The Peel Trident is a funky looking little vehicle, the picture alone is enough to earn it a spot on the 50 Worst list. Built on the Isle of Man in this little vehicle was built at 4 feet 2 inches in length,
A plexiglass top kept the cockpit warm as an oven, and anything built like this can’t get anywhere very fast. It looks like it belongs in an episode of the Jetsons, making that cute little noise as it puts along the road taking George Jetson to work.
AMC Gremlin 1970
Image from Time
The Gremlin has earned itself almost a cult status due to it’s unmistakable profile. It is truly an iconic relic of the early 70’s.
One of the few lemons designed by Richard Teague, the Gremlin began as AMC’s attempt to be competitive in the subcompact market in the United States.
In the interest of saving a few bucks the Gremlin’s odd-shaped body is a AMC Hornet with it’s rear end chopped off.
Awkward and poorly engineered, this ugly little car is happily left in last century.
Triumph Stag 1070
Image from Time
The Truimph Stag is not a terrible looking car, in fact, it has a cute, zippy look to it. It should, it was designed by Giovanni Michelotti.
Unfortunately the engineering department didn’t take their jobs as seriously. The 3.0 liter V8 engine was an mechanical nightmare, with explosions, broken timing chains, seized bearings, and that’s just the beginning.
In fact, it seems like nothing under the hood of the Triumph seemed to work properly.
Chrysler Imperial LeBaron Two-Door Hardtop 1971
Image from Time
The Chrysler Imperial reigns as a king of the large cars, an enormous vehicle, especially for a two door.
The LeBaron’s claim to fame is having some of the longest fenders in history, and it reached over 19 feet in total length.
Featuring an interior big enough to sleep a family of four, it was powered by an enormous 440 cubic inch V8 engine, one that could probably power an ocean liner.
Beyond any of the other reasons this car should be on the 50 Worst list, this car is just stupid big. We want to find a couple of them and have parallel parking contests.
Ford Pinto 1971
Image from Time
Another iconic 70’s model is the Ford Pinto, known for it’s horsie logo and it’s rather signature look.
Also know for it’s tendency to become a flaming ball of fire anytime it is rear ended. The Pinto will go down as one of the more exlposive cars ever made.
Made even more famous by the Ford Pinto memo, calculating the cost effectiveness of reinforcing the rear end to make it safe against the potential payout to victims of the faulty design.
Looks like the consumer won that battle, and the pinto kept trotting off the lines as is.