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Detroit's Sourest Lemons

A look at these clunkers will leave little doubt why Motown's in such a mess

By Paul Stinson,  Newser User

Posted Dec 7, 2008 8:12 PM CST
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(Newser) – With Detroit automakers making headlines on Capitol Hill, the New York Daily News offers a retrospective on the Motor City’s biggest lemons:

  • Ford Edsel: A gas-guzzling marketing disaster that became a byword for failure.
  • Chevy Aveo: From 0 to 60 in 11.7 seconds.
  • Hummer H2: A militaristic and inefficient PR nightmare for General Motors.

  • Ford Pinto: If blowing up when rear-ended is your thing, look no further.
  • Chevy Corvair: The car that inspired Ralph Nader’s book Unsafe at Any Speed is also known for its combustibility.
  • Plymouth Prowler: Hamstrung with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, this model prowled only in the showrooms.
For the rest of the worst, click below.
 

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn stands with a new Hummer H2 at Central Hummer East in Beachwood, Ohio. The production of the gas-guzzling military machine evolved into a PR nightmare for GM.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn stands with a new Hummer H2 at Central Hummer East in Beachwood, Ohio. The production of the gas-guzzling military machine evolved into a PR nightmare for GM.   (AP Photo)
A 1972 Fort Pinto is shown here. Prone to blow-ups when rear-ended, Ford was allegedly aware of its explosive design flaw but shied away from fixing the problem because of the cost.
A 1972 Fort Pinto is shown here. Prone to blow-ups when rear-ended, Ford was allegedly aware of its explosive design flaw but shied away from fixing the problem because of the cost.   (Flickr )
Perfect if you're not in a hurry: the Chevy Aveo 3P, shown here, needs almost 12 seconds to go from 0 to 60.
Perfect if you're not in a hurry: the Chevy Aveo 3P, shown here, needs almost 12 seconds to go from 0 to 60.   (Flickr ? conhunter)
Don't judge a car by its cover: Sleek and stylish, the Plymouth Prowler's 3.5 V6 engine made it tough for the vehicle to keep up with the times or other traffic.
Don't judge a car by its cover: Sleek and stylish, the Plymouth Prowler's 3.5 V6 engine made it tough for the vehicle to keep up with the times or other traffic.   (Flickr )
The car that drank too much: a Ford Edsel from the 1950s is shown here. Lamented for its bottomless appetite for gas, the Edsel sold below expectations and turned into a marketing disaster.
The car that drank too much: a Ford Edsel from the 1950s is shown here. Lamented for its bottomless appetite for gas, the Edsel sold below expectations and turned into a marketing disaster.   (Flickr © Steve Brandon)
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From the Horsey Horseless to the De Lorean, here's your chance to test drive a century of clunkers
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Chrysler • General Motors • Detroit • Chevrolet • Consumer Reports • Plymouth • Hummer • cars • Buick

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