Disasters and Flops

A blogger's delimma, to write something worthy, to capture the reader's attention with every word typed onto a pixelated screen with pictures that are interesting and links that teleport you into another web page filled with new and exciting material. It was only about 15 years or so ago that the thought of a weblog replacing newspapers and magazines would have been crazy talk. A few years before that, the computer was nothing more than a more sophisticated approach to gaming while dial-up modems gave gamers access to high-scores and bragging rights. Internet shopping was in its infancy and chat rooms were the predecessor to social media. Fast-foward to today where a swollen economy has spelled disaster for the housing market and retailers are struggling to attract shoppers.

Cars too have evolved, from Henry Ford's humble "Tin Lizzie" to adaptive cruise control and park assist systems that put the driving into a computer's hands. Talk of such advanced devices even just a decade ago would have been shunned as a concept from an Asimov novel. The car business too is struggling in spite of quality that has improved greatly just in the past 5 years. The automobile has, however, had its share of flops, here are some that ring throughout post-war history and some may even be part of the reason we are in a pickle today:

1. Porsche 914
Reason: Like putting a block of government cheese into a Whole Foods, the brand was cheapened by this VW-engined Porsche.
2. VW 411/412
Reason: Ugly styling, pricey, and slow sales. Need I say more?

Photo credit: njsimca
3. AMC Pacer
Reason: A jelly-bean should not be a design inspiration.
4. Renault anything from the 80's
Reason: Renault saved AMC from bankruptcy, but flooded the market with cheap and unreliable cars.
5. Chevrolet Corvair
Reason: Chevy's answer to the Beetle, but safety wasn't one of its strengths. A marketing disaster after Ralph Nader put up a stink.
6. Ford Mustang II
Reason: A Mustang with the underpinnings of a Pinto?!
7. Pontiac Aztek
Reason: Are the folks that buy these transportation devices as weird as the syling on this thing?
8. Cadillac Cimarron
Reason: Lipstick on a pig anyone? Even the wreath and crest couldn't hide the humble Cavalier roots.

Photo credit: snid
9. Jaguar X-Type
Reason: See above, a Ford Contour in disguise!
10. Ford T-Bird 2002-2005
Reason: The retro styling craze that made the PT Cruiser so popular, failed to garner buyer's interest in this over-priced, poor handling design disaster.