The 1980s brought us plenty of exciting innovations in music, fashion, and technology. But in the world of automotive design, not everything was as glamorous. Some cars hit the market with designs so questionable, they quickly became infamous.
Bold attempts to push the boundaries of car design didn’t always land. Whether it was boxy shapes, odd angles, or just a general lack of style, some 1980s cars left people scratching their heads. While a few gained a cult following, most were labeled as eyesores.
Here, we take a look at some of the ugliest cars from the 1980s. These models might have had decent engines, but their looks certainly didn’t turn any heads for the right reasons.
1. 1980 Chevrolet Citation
Chevrolet’s Citation aimed to compete with European hatchbacks, but its design missed the mark. The car’s boxy shape and lack of charm made it one of the most forgettable cars of the decade. It was also plagued by reliability issues, which didn’t help its case.
Despite its initial sales success, the Citation quickly became known for being both unattractive and poorly built. Its bland aesthetics and underwhelming performance ensured that it never achieved lasting popularity.
2. 1983 Glenfrome Facet
The Glen Frome Facet, made in Britain, looked like a strange assembly of mismatched parts. Its awkward angles and sharp edges didn’t blend well, leaving it more confusing than stylish. With a hefty price tag, this car was a head-scratcher.
Though it was marketed to wealthy buyers in the Middle East, the Facet never found widespread appeal. It remains one of the most bizarre and unappealing luxury cars of the era.
3. 1980 Toyota Tercel
The Corolla Tercel suffered from an identity crisis, and its uninspired design didn’t help matters. With a basic, boxy shape and little attention to detail, it was one of Toyota’s least memorable models. It failed to make a lasting impression.
Although reliable, the Tercel was often overlooked in favor of more stylish or powerful competitors. Its forgettable design meant it didn’t stand the test of time.
4. 1980 Cadillac Seville
The Cadillac Seville had a sleek front, but the back was another story. The truncated rear end looked unfinished and awkward, making it one of Cadillac’s more controversial designs. People either loved it or hated it.
Despite its luxurious reputation, the Seville’s polarizing appearance hurt its appeal. Today, it’s remembered more for its odd design than its performance.
5. 1984 Zimmer Quicksilver
With a name like Quicksilver, you’d expect speed and style. But the Zimmer Quicksilver’s chrome-heavy look and elongated hood couldn’t make up for its weak engine. It was more show than substance, and the design failed to impress.
At a price tag of $50,000, the Quicksilver was seen as an overpriced and unattractive car. Few people wanted to pay that much for a vehicle that didn’t live up to its flashy name.
6. 1985 Subaru XT
The Subaru XT aimed for a futuristic look but ended up looking like a doorstop. With its flat, wedge-shaped body, it was more awkward than innovative. Its LCD dash and odd steering wheel only added to the confusion.
While some praised its technological features, the XT’s design made it hard for most people to take seriously. It’s now remembered as one of Subaru’s rare missteps.
7. 1989 Nissan S-Cargo
Inspired by the shape of a snail, the Nissan S-Cargo was designed to be quirky. Unfortunately, it just looked ridiculous. Its tiny, rounded body and awkward proportions made it more of a joke than a practical vehicle.
Despite its unique concept, the S-Cargo didn’t find much success. Most people found it too odd-looking to drive with pride, and it remains one of the strangest designs of the decade.
8. 1985 AMC Eagle Kammback
The AMC Eagle Kammback was an attempt to merge off-road capability with a compact car body. The result was a weird, lifted version of the AMC Gremlin, with an unattractive paint scheme and boxy lines. It was both unattractive and impractical.
Though AMC had some success with its Jeep line, the Eagle Kammback failed to find a solid audience. Its awkward design made it one of the company’s less successful experiments.
9. 1985 Alfa Romeo Milano
The Alfa Romeo Milano was supposed to be a large, luxurious sedan, but it ended up looking confused. Racing stripes were slapped onto an otherwise plain body, trying to make it look sportier than it was. The design never quite came together.
Although Alfa Romeo had a reputation for stylish cars, the Milano failed to live up to it. Its odd combination of features made it one of the less popular models from the brand.
10. 1985 Hyundai Excel
The Hyundai Excel’s low price of $4,995 helped it sell, but its cheap design turned people off. The Excel lacked the durability and style to keep people interested, and it quickly became associated with poor quality.
Though it initially found success due to its affordability, the Excel’s clunky appearance and unreliable performance ensured that it wouldn’t become a long-term favorite
12. 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2
Designed with NASCAR in mind, the Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 featured an extra rear window that looked like an afterthought. The attempt at making the car more aerodynamic ended up making it look awkward and unfinished.
Although it had some fans in the racing world, most people couldn’t get past its strange design. The Grand Prix 2+2 stands as one of GM’s oddest creations.
12. 1985 Yugo 45
The Yugo 45 was as ugly as it was unreliable. With a tiny engine and clunky design, the Yugo quickly gained a reputation as one of the worst cars of the decade. Its cheap construction made it a nightmare to maintain.
Despite initial sales success, the Yugo 45 is now remembered as a joke in the car world. Its poor design and performance made it an unforgettable failure.
13. 1983 Nissan Pulsar NX
The Nissan Pulsar NX attempted to look futuristic, but it ended up looking awkward and overly boxy. The design didn’t come together well, and the rear hatch seemed out of place. It just couldn’t find its identity.
While some appreciated its quirky style, most people found the Pulsar NX unattractive. It struggled to stand out for the right reasons in a competitive market.
14. 1980 Fiat Panda
The Fiat Panda’s boxy, minimalist design made it look more like an appliance than a car. It was cheap and functional, but style was clearly not a priority. Its bare-bones appearance left it looking dull.
Though it served its purpose as an affordable vehicle, the Panda’s unattractive design made it easy to overlook. It certainly wasn’t winning any beauty contests.
15. 1981 Maserati Biturbo
Maserati’s Biturbo was a disappointment in both style and performance. Its boxy design lacked the flair expected from the brand, and it was plagued with mechanical issues. The Biturbo became an embarrassment for Maserati.
Though the name sounded impressive, the car’s looks and reliability were anything but. It remains one of the least-loved Maseratis ever produced.