Millions of dollars are spent globally each year in the design process for new cars. Making them aesthetically pleasing and in keeping with the brand image while being at the cutting edge of aerodynamic efficiency is the goal of all manufacturers. In years gone by, a streamlined car was not as easy to build due to engineering constraints and the lack of computer modelling technology for fluid dynamics. Arguably the need for fuel efficiency wasnt such a driving (pun intended) force then as it is today.

Source

Cars can be gorgeous to look at whether they have sleek, elegant curves or a rugged workmanlike exterior. If the whole package gels: purpose, proportions and appearance (my three ps), then the manufacturer is onto a winner. However, there are a few clunkers out there that somehow managed to garner approval by the big wigs and enter production. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder even if hes squinting sometimes. The following list ranks my pick of what I see as ten of the ugliest cars on the planet. No offence intended to owners!

Morgan Aero 8

One of the few remaining British sports car manufacturers, Morgan, came up with this design in the Noughties, the first since the late 1940s. Top Gear presenter, Richard Hammond, had to defend his new purchase against his co-presenters after considerable ribbing about its cross-eyed look. Although Morgan continued to support the cross-eyed design saying it was to aid aerodynamics its little wonder that a facelift model was released shortly afterwards with its eyes facing front.

Source

VW Thing

Practicality was the order of the day for this VW Type 181 known as the Trekker in the UK and the Thing in the US. It was made primarily as a military vehicle between the years 1969 and 1983 although it had been withdrawn from public sale in 1980. Betraying its military roots, the Thing is a little too utilitarian for my taste although the addition of a canvas drop top makes me warm to it as I would towards a wayward child.

Source

SAAB 96

It may seem unfair to knock SAAB now that they are well and truly down but, in my defence, the modern SAABs are a satisfying blend of flair and functionality. The SAAB 96 dated from the 1960s though is an ugly affair with uninspired colour schemes. By the time the facelift models entered production the 96 helped make SAABs name as a market leader for safety features. The early 96 was the first Saab model to be sold in the UK.

Source

Aston Martin Lagonda

Aston Martin is a byword for motoring style. Since the DB5 was popularised in Goldfinger as James Bonds car of choice through to today where the DB9s and Vantages remain sheer beauty in motoring form it is hard to believe that Aston Martin once made a perplexing faux pas. With the excuse if being in the 70s but William Towns design, now infamously known as the wedge was a powerhouse of futuristic technological innovations that were ultimately let down by poor electronic components.

Source

Mitsuoka Orochi

Supercars are uniformly weird and not just a little crazy in their styling. No ones going to say the Pagani Zonda is particularly attractive but this brand new Orochi is a strange mishmash of several cars faces in one. Perhaps this was intentional as the Yamata no Orochi was a fable eight-headed dragon. Its face is quite insect-like, not a little reminiscent of a dragonfly.

Source

Ssangyong Korando

With its tapering nose, the early Korando was an unappealing vehicle. Its functionality is compromised by the front wheels being too exposed through the diminishing front. For some, its expression is a bit too cutesy to be written off as totally ugly.

Source

Daihatsu Basket

Proving that concept cars arent immune from the blindfolded designer and the realisation that all the good car names have been taken, the Basket is proudly advertised as a vehicle that is easy to clean. Nuff said.

Source

Alfa Romeo 166

Alfas are famous for two things: the peak of Italian style and the trough of unreliability. Prior to the model receiving a desperately needed facelift in 2003 the droopy, saggy headlights had been the face of Alfas executive model for five long years. Read more.

Source

Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar

Electric cars are coming into vogue and it seems churlish to mock their style shortcomings in light of their pro-eco intentions. Between 1974 and 1977 the CitiCar was a Florida companys attempt at an early electric vehicle suitable for urban life.

For a host of more pictures and to read more click here.

Source

And finally...

Is it a car? Is it a car van? Is it a miniature bakers van? Its the:

Nissan S Cargo

Much has been made of the punning name: S Cargo being read as Small Cargo or Escargot the French word for snail. For three years from 1989, 12,000 such cars were built and this unattractive vehicle became a favourite among a select group of individuals who had fallen in love with its odd, toy-like style. One thing in the S Cargos favour was the large side panels that made excellent mobile-billboard signage space. It was this that prompted both McDonalds and KFC to use them to advertise their fast food chains.

Source