Can You Name These Ugly Cars From the ’70s and ’80s?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Name These Ugly Cars From the ’70s and ’80s?
Image: Pexels / Pixabay

About This Quiz

The '70s and '80s were the formative years for the things we enjoy now, and good car design is one of them. From the '30s to the late '60s, car design was all about function, style and sheer power. For a few decades after that time, things got a little weird in the car design department! Nonetheless, some of the ugliest mistakes made for some of the most memorable designs, and we want to know how many of them you can recognize from a single photo! 

Even if you were merely a passenger back then, the two decades brought us cars so hideous that we think they are probably etched into your memory like your first awkward kiss. When you see the car in the photo, and after you stop laughing, it's your job to prove your knowledge of ugly cars to us by choosing the right name. You'll have 40 chances to get it right. 

From the AMC Gremlin to the Mercury Lynx, the '70s and '80s were filled with, what we will just call, works of vehicular art. Read each question carefully, and cruise toward the finish line. Once you get there, we'll let you know how deep your knowledge of ugly cars runs. How well will you do? 

Aston Martin Lagonda
Car 3214 via youtube
We're not sure there's a parking space big enough for this ugly '80s car - what is it?
Chevrolet Cavalier
AMC Eagle
Glenfrome Facet
Aston Martin Lagonda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Maybe one of the longest vehicles ever put on the market, the Aston Martin Lagonda offered riders plenty of legroom. A huge departure from Aston Martin and their reputation for luxury, this attempt at a high-end family car didn't really make it out of the garage.

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Ford Pinto
JOHN LLOYD from Concrete, Washington, United States via Wiki Commons
What is the name of this little car with a big '70s attitude?
Ford Pinto
Chevrolet Chevette
AMC Pacer
Ford Fiesta
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With cars like the Mustang and the F-150 truck in Ford's lineup, the release of the Pinto in 1971 was quite a shocker for auto aficionados. The Ford Pinto was more fuel efficient than its bigger siblings, but it left a little to be desired in the looks department.

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AMC Pacer
Wiki Commons by CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz
This baby's got back, but can you name this uniquely shaped car?
AMC Pacer
Bricklin SV-1
Chevrolet Corsica
Chevrolet Vega
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Between 1975 and 1979, the AMC Pacer was unmistakable when you saw it rolling down the road. Known for its large, bubble-shaped backside, it was billed as being the most futuristic car on the markets. Sadly, the car's future ended in 1980 when it sold out.

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Chrysler LeBaron
Nickmix01 via Wiki Commons
Can correctly you identify this strange-looking ride that was first sold in 1975?
Chrysler LeBaron
Pontiac GTO
Buick Skylark
Ford Thunderbird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

First resembling a box on wheels, the Chrysler LeBaron took on a few different forms over the years. If you are looking for some true eye candy, check out the Chrysler LeBaron convertible model. It looks like half a car!

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Oldsmobile Omega
Skully69v via Wiki Commons
Do you know the name of this Oldsmobile nightmare?
Cutlass
Omega
Intrigue
Bravado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 1973 to 1984, Oldsmobile carried the interesting looking Omega. At first, the car had rounded headlights set in a rectangular grill. When the '80s came along, the round lights were replaced by their square counterparts, giving the Omega a much less aerodynamic look.

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Hyundai Excel
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand via Wiki Commons
The only cute thing about this '80s car was its fuel efficiency - do you know what it's called?
AMC Gremlin
Ford Focus
Hyundai Excel
Mercury Cougar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Proving the beauty is only skin deep, the Hyundai Excel nearly took over the small-car market when it was brought to the United States in 1986. During its first year of sales, it sold a record-breaking 168,882 units!

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AMC Gremlin
Wiki Commons by Christopher Ziemnowicz
What is the appropriate-sounding name of this beastly '70s vehicle?
AMC Gremlin
Cadillac Eldorado
Plymouth Cricket
Subaru BRAT
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If there's anything nice to say about the AMC Gremlin, it's that it was given a name that matches its appearance! First sold in 1970, the Gremlin was sold in both the United States and in Mexico until 1978.

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Plymouth Cricket
Seasoned Traveller via youtube
Can you pick the right name for this 1970s car that left audiences chirping when it was unveiled?
Buick Skylark
Ford Thunderbird
Plymouth Cricket
Austin Allegro
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

First known in England as the Avenger, the Plymouth Cricket was brought to a US market in 1971. Although it was a massive market failure, it ran from 1971 to 1973 when it could no longer compete with similar Japanese cars.

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Ford
Pexels by Ali Pertinho
This ugly car was called a Mercedes ripoff - do you know the real name of it?
Oldsmobile Cutlass
Ford Grenada
Dodge Charger
Hyundai Elantra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The repurposed and rebranded Ford Falcon was introduced to buyers in 1975. It was often compared to the Mercedes brand of car, but it lacked the style and the popularity. It was removed from the market in 1975.

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Chevrolet Citation
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada via Wiki Commons
What name was given to the '80s car with a face only a mother could love?
Honda Civic
Chevrolet Citation
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Ford Fairlane
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 1980 to 1985, Chevrolet produced the Chevrolet Citation. Part Chevette and part Chevy Nova, the Chevrolet Citation had an oddly shaped dome roof and a sedan-like front half. It was a popular choice amongst those looking for both room and fuel efficiency.

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Dodge Charger
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada via Wiki Commons
Aging was not kind to this former muscle car - do you know what it is?
Dodge Charger
Pontiac Grand Am
Chevrolet Camaro
Hyundai Accent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Once upon a time, the Dodge Charger was a serious contender in the muscle car division. When the '80s came along, the car got a complete redesign, and fans were not happy. Thankfully, the Charger has been put back on the road with a tougher look and a starting price of $29,000.

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Volkswagen Thing
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA via Wiki Commons
It's a car so ugly that it's as cute as a bug, but can you choose the right name for it?
Chevrolet El Camino
Dodge Dart
Subaru BRAT
Volkswagen Thing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Is it a tank? Is it a military vehicle? It is a golf cart? No, it's the Volkswagen Thing. Although it shared the same mechanical parts as the Beetle, the car's outer shell was heavier and had a completely different vibe than its cuter counterpart.

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1971 Dodge Dart Demon
Youtube via Southern Hot Rods LLC
Which name is the right name for this handsomely foul '70s compact car?
Chevrolet Caprice
Fiat Spider
Ford Fiesta
Dodge Dart
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the Dodge Dart was first produced in the '60s, it was originally a full-sized car. By the time the '70s came around, the Dart had been morphed into a compact car. It is still manufactured today, but it is now a rebranded version of a Fiat vehicle.

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Renault Fuego GTX
Wiki Commons via Riley from Christchurch
Can you pick the right name for this French greenhouse on wheels?
Chevrolet Citation
Renault Fuego
Honda Prelude
Pontiac Fiero
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We're assuming that the Renault Fuego got its name from the heat it collected with its giant windows. If your parents dropped you off at school in the family's Fuego from 1980 to 1986, we apologize for your trauma.

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Mercury Lynx
Wiki Commons via Dave_7
This car didn't have to work hard to claw its way into the ugly section - what is it named?
Buick Wildcat
Mercury Cougar
Mercury Lynx
Plymouth Baracuda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Until 1990, the first generation version of the Mercury Lynx was known for being ugly. A hatchback with a boxy, short front, the Mercury Lynx was one of the less expensive economy cars throughout the 1980s.

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Sunbird- Pontiac
Youtube via CerebralAssassin1977
Can you figure out the right name for this ugly American car as it flies by?
Pontiac Sunbird
Ford Thunderbird
Plymouth Roadrunner
Buick Skylark
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Starting in 1976, the Pontiac Sunbird dominated the ugly car airwaves. With the exception of a few production breaks, the Sunbird enjoyed a full 18 years of production. Pontiac decided to ground their ugly bird once and for all in 1994.

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1985 Buick Skylark
Wiki Commons by Bull-Doser
General Motors revoked this car's cute card when the '80s rolled around - which of these cars is it?
Pontiac Grand Am
AMC Pacer
Ford Mustang Cobra
Buick Skylark
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you look back into the '50s or '60s and see the Buick Skylark, we're sure you'll agree when we say that the '80s were not kind to the car! Once a powerful muscle car giant, the '80s turned the Skylark into a not-so-cute family mobile.

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Yugo
Wiki Commons by Tonystarkv42
1989 was considered this car's golden year, but we're not sure it had one! What car do you see?
Ford Crown Victoria
Hyundai Elantra
Yugo GV
Honda Accord
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The nominee for the little, ugly car that could, but just couldn't seem to go get there goes to the Yugo GV. Even with selling a whopping 200,000 cars in 1989, the Yugo brand never really got off the ground. We're not judging, but the Yugo GV could offer a little insight into the problem.

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Grand Prix
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
Things got a little weird for this former coupe during the'80s. What name was it given during the '60s?
Pontiac Grand Prix
Dodge Charger
Buick Regal
Chevrolet Nova
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the Pontiac Grand Prix was first made in the '60s, it was a big, bulky coupe that owners felt proud to show off to the neighbors. With a 46-year production run, the Grand Prix has undergone a lot of changes, from coupe to sportster to sedan, but the '80s were not very nice to the car.

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Pontiac Phoenix
Wiki Commons via Dave_7
If ugly were illegal, this '70s car got a lot of tickets. Which name is the right one?
Chevrolet Corsica
Toyota Corolla
Pontiac Phoenix
Acura MDX
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unfortunately for the Pontiac Phoenix, there was no rising from the ashes after a seven-year run that started in 1977. By the time 1985 rolled around, consumer needs had changed, and the Phoenix was replaced by the Pontiac Grand Am.

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Ford Thunderbird
Thunderbird73 via Wiki Commons
The grandfathers of this car cry when they see the '80s version of it. Which car is in this photo?
Pontiac Firebird
Ford Thunderbird
Dodge Dart
Ford Taurus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Thunderbird was the epitome of style, power, and class during the '50s and '60s. We're not sure what happened during the '80s, but the souped-up family car version didn't seem to do as well. Ford stopped making the Thunderbird in 2005.

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Corsica
Wiki Commons by IFCAR
Do you know the name of this Chevy car that probably broke a few mirrors back in the '80s?
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Citation
Chevrolet Caprice
Chevrolet Corsica
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Named after a town in France, the Chevrolet Corsica was a new style for the automaker. With two different body styles, the Corsica featured a large trunk area and a respectable fuel capacity for the time.

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Lincoln Continental Mark III
Wiki commons
Can you choose the right name for this '80s monstrosity produced by a luxury maker?
Lincoln Mark VI
Mercury Lynx
Chevrolet Cavalier
Pontiac Sunfire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lincoln has always been known for its larger than life luxury cars, but the Mark VI never quite hit the mark. It was a huge, and we do mean huge, flop. Perhaps one of the least fuel-efficient vehicles to grace the front half of the '80s, the Mark VI was most certainly a nightmare to parallel park.

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1973 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
Wiki Commons via That Hartford Guy
What is the correct name of this upscale car? It could scare all the mice out of your attic!
Bricklin SV-1
Datsun B-210
Cadillac DeVille
Acura MDX
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the Cadillac DeVille was first introduced in 1949, it was considered the height of luxury for many decades to come. However, the car's '80s design left consumers feeling a little confused. The smaller, flat-backed version of the car didn't perform as well in sales as it did on the road.

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Austin Allegro
Kieran White from Manchester, England via Wiki Commons
This car's interior design made it hip to be square - which car is it?
Yugo GV
Austin Allegro
Ford Fiesta
AMC Gremlin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The British have always had a flair for design, and the Austin Allegro was no different. For nine years starting in 1973, the Allegro wowed prospective buyers with its square steering wheels and its smaller size. However, during its lifetime, it rose to be known as one of the worst cars of all time.

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Pontiac Fiero
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA via Wiki Commons
Driving this sporty car was like taking your cousin to the prom. Can you figure out its name?
Pontiac Fiero
Mazda Miata
Fiat Spider
Chevrolet Caprice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The '80s offered up all sorts of new ideas in car design, but nothing quite as baffling as the Pontiac Fiero. A tiny car with only two seats, the Fiero only managed to last for five years before General Motors pulled the model off the production floor. The last Fiero was made in 1988.

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1986 Acura Integra Coupe
Youtube via Motorweek
We're sure the Honda upgrade in this photo had a great personality - what is the right moniker for it?
Honda Prelude
Acura Integra
AMC Hornet
Plymouth Acclaim
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Honda decided to upscale some of its cars into more luxurious and sportier versions, the Acura line was born. The Integra might be unsightly, but it truly proved that beauty is only skin deep. Earlier models of the Acura Integra are highly sought after by collectors for their handling capabilities.

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Glenfrome Facet
Youtube via AvtoDunya
If Monday were a car, it would be this odd Land Rover. What was it called?
Dodge Challenger
Volkswagen Passat
Lincoln Mark VI
Glenfrome Facet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It might be a little hard to believe, but the Glenfrome Facet is actually part of the Land Rover family. Resembling a hatchback on steroid, the Facet was unveiled as a desert vehicle in 1983. At the time, it had a less-than-ugly price tag of 59,000 GBP!

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1988 Chevrolet Cavalier
Wiki Commons by IFCAR
What is the correct name of this American-made small car with big ugly skills?
AMC Matador
Ford Granada
Dodge Charger
Chevrolet Cavalier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As the demand for better fuel efficiency grew higher in the '80s, Chevrolet responded with the release of a new smaller car called the Cavalier. Despite its appearance, the Chevrolet Cavalier was a popular seller, and it ran until it was replaced by the Cobalt in 2005.

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Mercury Lynx
Wiki Commons
What's the name of the car who's mama told him he was smart and that he could compete with the Ford Escort?
Mercury Lynx
Toyota Camry
Chevrolet Camaro
Honda Civic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mercury's answer to the successful Ford Escort was the Mercury Lynx. Slightly more affordable than the Escort, the Mercury Lynx was essentially the same car. Both vehicles featured a small frame and the availability of a hatchback style.

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Subaru XT
Youtube via Angeloti Palirno
You know it's the '80s car equivalent of a three-way mirror, but can you pick the right name?
Subaru XT
Cadillac Eldorado
Ford Escape
Hyundai Accent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

First released in the US and then in Japan during 1985, the Subaru XT had all the same styling of sportier Acura or Honda models. One of the car's most prominent features was its large trunk area. It had loads of room for your junk!

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Ford Tempo
Wiki Commons
This car's designers missed a beat in the looks department - what did they name it?
Toyota Duet
Honda Prelude
Austin Allegro
Ford Tempo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Tempo enjoyed a decade long run that began in 1984, but the car was not one of Ford's finest moments. The rounded shape of the car spoke to the trends of the time, but the car's performance was only placed in the so-so department.

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Subaru Justy
Youtube via Daniel Semon
The picture does do this car a lot of justice - do you know its foreign name?
Bricklin SV-1
Ford Taurus
Subaru Justy
Datsun B-210
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The '80s were chock full of hatchbacks, and Subaru did not want to miss out on the game. The Justy's tiny design was perfect for those seeking a cheap ride, but the car didn't seem to have a lot of staying power. It has been rebranded several times since 1994.

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Volkswagen Rabbit
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA
Can you choose the name of this ugly car that people loved during the '70s and '80s?
Subaru XT
Volkswagen Rabbit
Toyota Camry
Honda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even though the Volkswagen Rabbit was not the prettiest car on the road, it received rave reviews and a lot of owner loyalty. If you wanted to get nostalgic, you could purchase the Volkswagen Golf. It is the reinvented, more modern version of the Rabbit.

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Geo
Wiki Commons by Inkadove
General Motors broke the mold on this car - what is it?
Geo Metro
Pontiac Firebird
Chevrolet
Pontiac Grand Prix
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To keep up with rising demand for cars with great gas mileage, GM released the Geo Metro in 1989. Resembling other hatchbacks of the era, the Metro's plastic body left drivers feeling a little exposed, and the car only lasted for five years until 1994.

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AMC Matador
Wiki Commons by CZmarlin
Do you know the right name of this small muscle car wannabe? It brought the funk to the '70s.
Datsun B-210
Chevrolet El Camino
Renault Alliance
AMC Matador
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

AMC's Matador was quite popular in the '70s. Despite its appearance, the car's heavy design and powerful engine made the car one of AMC's biggest successes of the time. When sitting alongside the Hornet or the Gremlin, it's easy to see why the Matador was considered the slightly prettier cousin.

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Oldsmobile Delta 88 Diesel
Tequask via Wiki Commons
Which name is the correct name for this classic ugly car with a long history?
Lincoln Continental
Oldsmobile Delta 88
Ford Mustang
Pontiac GTO
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For 50 years starting in 1949, the Oldsmobile Delta 88 defined the family sedan. When the market changed and the demand for smaller, more efficient cars, Oldsmobile retired the model in 1999.

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Mercury Bobcat
Wiki Commons by Crwpitman
Can you figure out the name of this car that prowled through the streets in the 1970s?
AMC Gremlin
Oldsmobile Cutlass
Mercury Bobcat
Toyota MR2
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another sister vehicle to the Ford Escort, the Mercury Bobcat hit the scene even before the Ford Pinto! The Mercury Bobcat was first available in 1971, but the outselling Ford Escort didn't come along until 1974.

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1971 Ford Maverick
Wiki Commons by wallerdog
This car was built tough and has a big name for such an ugly ride - what is it?
Ford Maverick
AMC Pacer
Chevrolet Camaro
Pontiac Phoenix
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This Ford Maverick might have an impressive name, but what on earth is happening with that design? Throughout the '70s, the Maverick roared across highways everywhere. Available with either four doors or two, the Maverick never failed to make its unsightly presence known.

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AMC Hornet
Wiki Commons by Hiaburi
What is the correct name of this car that's so ugly it stings your eyes when you look at it?
Volkswagen Beetle
AMC Hornet
Ford Mustang Cobra
Dodge Super Bee
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 1969 to 1977, the AMC Hornet was the little engine that could. Built as a stout looking subcompact, the Hornet's design was both playful and hideous. Nonetheless, AMC cars from this time frame are highly sought after by auto collectors. Go figure!

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