Cars Weren't Afraid to Get Weird
The 1970s gave the car world plenty of unforgettable designs, but unforgettable doesn’t always mean beautiful—and these roadsters proved it. Between fuel shortages and experimental shapes, some models ended up with proportions that still make you pause today. These 20 cars all had legitimate spots in history, but when it comes to looks, they’re remembered for all the wrong reasons.
1. AMC Gremlin
Alright, let’s be honest here: the Gremlin looked like someone stopped designing the car halfway through. Its chopped-off rear end gave it a strange profile, especially next to smoother compact cars of the same era, and no one ever really appreciated it.
2. AMC Pacer
The AMC Pacer tried to be futuristic and friendly, but its giant glass area made it look unusually heavy. While it’s easy to see the idea behind the design, the wide body and short length gave it a stance that felt awkward from almost every angle. That said, it’s now a cult favorite, though mostly because people still can’t believe AMC really built it.
CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz on Wikimedia
3. Ford Pinto
The Ford Pinto wasn’t just controversial mechanically—its styling also struggled to make a strong case on the road. We’re talking a basic shape, small wheels, and a plain front end, all of which made it look underdeveloped rather than clean. Even in brighter tones, the Pinto rarely managed to be bold.
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada on Wikimedia
4. Chevrolet Vega
The Chevrolet Vega had decent proportions in theory, but the final result looked…well, not as intended. It was thin, fragile, and strangely unfinished. The front end lacked personality, too, though the rear treatment didn’t fare any better, feeling more budget-minded than stylish.
Vegavairbob (talk)user vegavairbob/Robert Spinello on Wikimedia
5. Ford Mustang II
It’s hard to believe that any Mustang would appear on this list, but Ford’s Mustang II arrived during a tough era for performance cars. So, in reality, its looks made the nameplate feel smaller in every way. Instead of the confident muscle-car stance people remembered, it had a narrow body and a timid-seeming front end.
6. Mercury Bobcat
The Mercury Bobcat sounds cool, doesn’t it? Named after a fierce animal, you’d think the body would match the title, but it didn’t. It just tried to dress up the Pinto, but the extra trim only made the awkward little shape stand out more. Its grille and details also added formality to a car that didn’t have the proportions to carry it.
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada on Wikimedia
7. AMC Matador Coupe
The AMC Matador Coupe had one of the strangest front ends of the decade, all thanks to its bulging fenders and a long hood that didn’t quite match the rest of its specs. Its fastback roofline seemed dramatic enough to entice would-be buyers, but the proportions made the car look heavier than it needed to be.
CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz on Wikimedia
8. Bricklin SV-1
The Bricklin SV-1 had two things you’d think would have made it a slam dunk: gullwing doors and safety-minded engineering. And yet, its styling never looked as exciting as the idea sounded. The chunky bumpers and odd nose gave it a kit-car feeling despite its ambitious concept. It’s rare, sure, but beauty wasn’t exactly its selling point.
9. Aston Martin Lagonda
Wait—an Aston Martin was ugly? Oh, you bet. The Lagonda looked futuristic for its time, and that didn’t get consumers as excited as you’d think. Its long wedge shape, flat surfaces, and narrow front end created a dramatic but uncomfortable visual balance.
10. Triumph TR7
The Triumph TR7 leaned hard into wedge styling, and on any other day, that would have been fine. However, the execution on this one made it more awkward than athletic. Maybe it was the high rear or the unusual side crease, but either way, the choices gave it a shape that divided opinions instantly.
11. Austin Allegro
They say all press is good press, and that’s something the Austin Allegro learned the hard way. It became famous for looking oddly rounded in places where it should’ve looked crisp, which means its drooping stance made it less confident than its rivals. Even the “quartic” steering wheel couldn’t distract from how strange the exterior was.
12. Morris Marina
The Morris Marina wasn’t outright ugly, but that might actually be part of the problem. Drivers’ biggest gripe was that it was plain. From the uneven proportions and forgettable details, you were stuck with a car that just looked tired as soon as it arrived. You could find one anywhere in the ‘70s, and it still managed to look like it was waiting to be replaced.
13. Leyland Princess
The Leyland Princess had a wedge shape that should’ve looked modern in theory, but alas. What motorists were left with was a tall body and blunt front that made it difficult to love. Its design felt ambitious, though the heavy rear and narrow-looking track gave it an uneasy stance.
14. Volkswagen 412
VW has known its fair share of dud designs, but the Volkswagen 412 really takes the cake. It tried to move the brand beyond the Beetle, and its styling really didn’t help much. The long nose, upright cabin, and droopy front? That dangerous trio gave it a confused appearance that no driver could (or did) appreciate.
15. Datsun F-10
The Datsun F-10 just had one of those faces that seemed perpetually startled. What can we say? Blame it on the unusual headlights and pinched front-end design. We’ll admit that Datsun built plenty of good-looking cars, but this wasn’t one of them.
Rutger van der Maar on Wikimedia
16. Chevrolet Chevette
No, that’s not a Corvette. We’re talking about the Chevrolet Chevette, an affordable and practical vehicle that looked every bit as basic as it was. Its boxy little body and dinky tires gave it almost no visual excitement. You didn’t really buy one for style, and the car never pretended otherwise.
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada on Wikimedia
17. Dodge Aspen
The Dodge Aspen had a squared-off shape that looked sensible—it just didn’t look graceful. Drivers couldn’t peel their eyes off the heavy bumpers and thick body sides, which made sense since they gave it the visual energy of a car designed by committee.
18. Plymouth Volare
The Plymouth Volare shared a lot of the Aspen’s awkwardness, so it was already going in with strike one. But strike two struck when people noticed its trim and grille designs made it look even busier. In the end, it had the familiar 1970s problem of large bumpers trying to blend into a body that wasn’t meant for them.
order_242 from Chile on Wikimedia
19. Stutz Blackhawk
The Stutz Blackhawk was expensive, flashy, and determined to look important, but none of that really happened once motorists got their eyes on the look of it. You had everything you didn’t want: a long hood, upright grille, exposed spare tire, and heavy ornamentation. Oh, sure, celebrities bought it, but even star power couldn’t save it.
20. Reliant Robin
When you’re a car with three wheels, you’re bound to turn some heads—even if it’s not for a good reason. Its narrow front end and tall cabin created a shape that looked unstable before the engine even started. It’s still beloved by many for its personality, but visually, it remains one of the decade’s easiest targets.
