A two-tone tan and dark gray Buick Rendezvous SUV parked in a driveway.
via Canva

Sometimes when the vehicles are fresh on out into the streets, they can appear as very normal indeed. And even cool. These photos however suggest that some cars should’ve never made it past the realm of idea-generating. These 15 cars are thus truly in a league of their own.

1. Ford Pinto

Vintage Ford Pinto advertisement with a red-orange Pinto car in the foreground, a smiling group by the beach in the background, and a green Pinto shown at the bottom among car specs and promotional text.
Quick_Presentation11 / Reddit.com

The Pinto was popular when it first came out, and looking back, that’s one of the most baffling concepts to comprehend.

2. AMC Gremlin

A woman in a skirt and blouse leans against a vintage AMC Gremlin X car, smiling, with "40,000" written on the car's window. The image is black and white and appears to be from the 1970s.
Quick_Presentation11 / Reddit.com

The Gremlin is obviously laughable, and it’s infinitely more funny because of how appropriate its name was.

3. Chevrolet Citation

A vintage silver and black hatchback car is parked on a waterfront road, with calm water, sailboats, and a city skyline visible in the background.
StupidOldAndFat / Reddit.com

If the Citation had just forewent that back slope, we wouldn’t make fun of it so much.

4. Pontiac Aztec

A yellow and gray Pontiac Aztek SUV is parked on sandy ground by a body of water, with trees and boats visible in the background.
crzylprv56 / Reddit.com

The gaudiest colors, bumpers, trim, and overall design make the Aztec one of the most head-scratching vehicles in existence.

5. Buick Rendezvous

A beige and gray SUV parked in front of a modern house with large windows and greenery around.
goohugger555555 / Reddit.com

This ride was so common during its heyday, and when we look back, “Why?” is all that comes to mind.

6. Chrysler PT Cruiser

A blue Chrysler PT Cruiser is parked by the roadside, with trees and grass in the background on a cloudy day.
AtAmotuA / Reddit.com

These were cool. They weren’t just common, they were COOL. Some had flames, some were bright blue, and all are on the receiving end of serious smack talk now.

7. Fiat Multipla

A small, yellow-green Fiat Multipla car is parked in an empty outdoor parking lot, with buildings and leafless trees in the background on a clear day.
GlatkiOperater / Reddit.com

The Multipla had an actual face, guys. Sinus infection mucus paint jobs made it all the more hideous, too.

8. Suzuki X90

A blue Suzuki X-90 compact car is parked on a shaded street near a black metal fence and green trees on a sunny day.
Phylaxx / Reddit.com

Suzuki was forever unveiling pint-sized rides that make some of us say, “Aww,” and others just laugh and shake our heads.

9. Chevrolet Geo Tracker

A red two-door Geo Tracker convertible with the top down is parked on a gravel driveway next to a white pickup truck, with grass and houses visible in the background.
yaboobay13 / Reddit.com

If you had a Geo Tracker back in the day, you were sporty and fun. But if we find out you had a Geo Tracker NOW, we’re roasting you.

10. Renault Le Car

A vintage cream-colored hatchback car with "Le Car" written on the side is parked on a street near a white fence and greenery. The car has two doors and classic styling from the late 1970s or early 1980s.
JosephMadeCrosses / Reddit.com

You’d think the general design of this Renault is what we make fun of the most, but honestly, the name “Le Car” is what gets us every time.

11. Yugo GV

A red vintage compact car with black bumpers and round headlights is parked on a paved surface, with green trees and a white building in the background.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

Yugo: You go drive that thing to the scrap yard.

12. Nissan Cube

A gray Nissan Cube is parked on a paved road near palm trees and greenery on a cloudy day. The car has a boxy shape and unique, rounded features.
JosephMadeCrosses / Reddit.com

Nissan really thought they were doing something with the Cube, but all they did was give us jokes for the rest of time.

13. Scion XB

A maroon Scion xB hatchback car is parked on a street in front of a brick building with large windows and an awning.
Alternative_Speed69 / Reddit.com

Scion fell into that same cube craze/boxy bonanza that other automakers dipped into during the early 2000s. Bless their hearts.

14. AMC Pacer

A man sits in the driver’s seat of a light blue vintage AMC Pacer parked on a suburban street, with grass and brick houses visible in the background.
dow555 / Reddit.com

The shape. The cavernous wheel wells and headlight housings. We’re looking for a redeeming quality and can’t seem to find one.

15. Chevrolet SSR

A bright yellow retro-style pickup truck is parked on a black asphalt driveway beside a brown garage, with trees and greenery in the background.
Carrot_exe / Reddit.com

Chevy was absolutely off their rocker with this one. The SSR was roadster-meets-convertible-meets-pick-up truck? Unhinged.

16. Buick Skylark

A man with a mustache stands with crossed arms next to a green Buick Skylark car, in front of a colorful abstract painting.
Jfonzy / Reddit.com

Keep in mind, not all Buick Skylarks inspire a, “What the …” But those early ’90s Skylarks — with the tri-color approach dominated by teal — mirrored the decor of every badly-decorated dentist’s office.

Meet the Writer

Matt has spent over the last 8 years as both a writer and editor, working in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally maniacal, pigeons. They always have a lot to say. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a new book and/or some friends, or just easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.