Disastrous Cars Covered With Great Marketing
Some cars were so spectacularly bad that only marketing could keep a straight face. These were the vehicles that rolled off the line already whispering, “Please don’t start me,” then showed up in ads looking like they were ready to outrun the moon landing.
Rather than fix anything, companies unleashed glossy campaigns, confident taglines, and actors pretending the engine wasn’t making a noise best described as “electrical regret.” Buyers kept wondering why their brand-new ride handled like an aging shopping cart.
This list honors each miracle of spin by revisiting the cars that flopped loudly yet somehow sold anyway, thanks to heroic confidence.
Buick Skyhawk (1980s)
Badge-engineered mediocrity was dressed as “luxury and performance in a smaller package” for younger buyers.
Mazda Rotary (Various RX 1970s)
Wankel engines drank oil and failed seals while claiming “smooth, vibration-free” futuristic power.
Dodge Omni / Plymouth Horizon (1978–1990)
Cheap handling problems contrasted with promises of being “America’s car for the world.”
Ford Fairmont / Mercury Zephyr (1978–1983)
Boring driving couldn’t hide the promise of “efficiency without sacrifice” and all-American familiarity.
Chevy Corvair (1960–1969)
Unsafe handling in first versions clashed with the image of “a new way to make a car” that competed with Europe.
Lincoln Versailles (1977–1980)
Inflated Ford Granada, marketed to compete with Seville as “smaller, more refined luxury” and missed entirely.
Pontiac Fiero (1984–1988)
Early fires and slow engines undermined the pitch of “add a little thrill to your ride.”
Fiat Strada / Ritmo (Late 70s)
Constant electrical failures didn’t stop it from starring in ads with singing robots showing “modern quality.”
Subaru Brat (1978–1987)
Added rear seats to dodge taxes, making it uncomfortable while claiming “the truck people aren’t afraid to use.”
Yugo GV (1985–1992)
Frequently broke down while billed as “everything we’ve learned” in a surprising European bargain.
DMC DeLorean (1981–1982)
Underpowered and overpriced, but the gull-wing doors and Giugiaro design sold the “live the dream” fantasy.
Chrysler LeBaron Convertible (Late 80s/Early 90s)
Fragile and underpowered, yet advertised as “as stylish as it looks, as affordable as it is” with star-studded glamour.
Chevy Citation (1980–1985)
Handling and transmission disasters led to GM’s largest recall while it promised modern efficiency and space.
Renault Fuego (1980–1985)
Chronic electrical failures didn’t stop it from being “the technology of passion,” a sporty European coupe.
Dodge Aspen / Plymouth Volaré (1976–1980)
Vibrations, rust, and steering failures plagued early models, sold as “a new kind of car built the old-fashioned way.”
AMC Pacer (1975–1980)
Wide yet tiny, notorious for terrible fuel economy, marketed as the “car of the future” with big visibility.
Cadillac Cimarron (1982–1988)
Essentially a dressed-up Cavalier, pitched as “a new generation of luxury buyers” trying to match BMW.
Oldsmobile Diesel (Late 70s/Early 80s)
Gas-converted diesels failed spectacularly while being sold as “superior fuel economy without sacrificing American luxury.”
Ford Pinto (1971–1980)
Rear-end collisions could ignite the tank, but ads promised it was “small, yet big in everything that matters.”
Chevrolet Vega (1971–1977)
Engines overheated and bodies rusted almost immediately, yet marketing called it “America’s little car” fighting imports.