Comments on: 10 Automotive Turkeys

By: Dan McPhail

Dan McPhail — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 03:12:44 +0000

I’m a 64 year young radio and mobile dj and car collector fanatic. The remarks on the ‘58 Packard Wagon don’t tell the whole story. For having no money to retool, the style to me is fantastic.
And with just 158 built and probably only 40 surviving, fans will be interested to know that a ‘58 Packard/Stud wagon recently shown completely restored at a southeast Michigan Concour D’Elegance was valued by the folks at Mecum and Barret Jackson the prestigious collector car auction guys, at $100,000 and the cars has standing offers from 4 collectors to sell at that price.
So whose laughing now? To me 57 through 59 American cars of all makes were works of art, with the 57’s and 59’s at the top, and 58’s one of a kind unique across all product lines. The Packard even when merged with Studebaker was a breathtaking iconic tremendous car, each of them driven 12 miles and everything meticulously tweaked before odometers were put in and they were shipped. THAT’S quality. I’d give my left u know what for a conditon #2 1958 Packard Wagon!

By: Bob Mullins

Bob Mullins — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:58:27 +0000

Great Classic photos! I love to see the classics that were just cars to me when I was a young boy!

Thanks,

Bob

By: D. Yaros

D. Yaros — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:52:03 +0000

I feel qualified to comment on your “turkeys,” having owned 2 of them; a 1973 AMC Gremlin and a 1976 Ford Pinto.

I understand that AMC slapped cars together with whatever parts they had on hand. That being so, they did function fairly well. Longevity was, obviously, not their strong suit. Ergo the ‘rarer than hen’s teeth’ status today.

As for the Pinto, it was reliable, economical, practical and easy to repair. When I sold mine it had a mere 185,000 miles on it! And Ralph Nader notwithstanding, reports of them blowing up are just that, reports. More fiction than fact.

For my perspective on the collector car hobby, monthly, take a look online at Car Collector Chronicles. It is free, has no ads, and cover all aspects of the hobby. Find it here -
CCC

By: Seal

Seal — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:23:28 +0000

Well I have fond memories of the Pinto! I was just a wee young lad at the time, and my Mom and I would tool around town in her metallic brown Pinto in the early-80’s. I still remember the strawberry air freshener hanging in the mirror and listening to Abracadabra on the radio. And just about burning my hand when I was curious enough to touch the muffler after a drive, lol!… When my Mom sold it, the car needed some valve work. But a mechanic who did valve work bought it, so just as well.

By: compact cars

compact cars — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:08:35 +0000

Every mistake of a man inspires him to find the next best solution. So the turkeys in the automobile industry doesn’t means that it has failed but it makes the way for the improved and higher quality version.

By: PINTOBEAN

PINTOBEAN — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:05:22 +0000

I dont agree at all with this list I own a 1980 pinto with 187.000 orig miles they were dam good cars ive had alot of fun with mine We just celabrated the 40 birthday of the pinto and just had a pinto stampede back in june from col to penn for the all ford show we had 70 pintos show up and yes mine was one of them and had two people drove thiers from calli no problems

By: Dave Schumacher

Dave Schumacher — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:47:37 +0000

I would love to have either the Edsel, the Scotsman, the Valiant or the Packardbaker today. Any of those would draw a crowd at any old car event. Hell, the Vega, Pinto & Gremlin probably would as well.

By: Dwayne Hoover

Dwayne Hoover — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:47:44 +0000

I had a Vega it always got me where i wanted to go gas mileage was great and the best thing was I never had to change the oil I just added 2 quarts a week

By: Don Ellickson

Don Ellickson — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:26:50 +0000

The pinto wasn’t the only car with a drop in fuel cell you idiots! It was a industry standard at the time and it brought an end to that practice by all manufacturers - like the fuel cell behind the seat in pickup trucks that ended in the early 70’s cause some dumbass engineer thought it was a good idea! Live and learn the hard way I guess!

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:59:11 +0000

I had a friend w/a Pinto back in the day. I worried about his safety, but he stubbornly refused to replace the car. After dropping two cylinders, it sounded like a sewing machine was coming from 100 yds away.
I actually like the styling of the early Gremlins. ‘Can’t explain why, I just do. As for the way they drove I can’t say, but considering the cars of the era, they probably did drive like a truck.
My mother tried to talk me into a used Vega once. No sale!!
The Yugo’s were actually well built cars from a sheet metal standpoint, so much so that doing body work on them actually cost more than the car was worth. Of course they were slow and handled like a 4WD. They were so heavy and under-powered they couldn’t get out of their own way.
What about the 4th generation Acura TL’s?? They are about as ugly as fugly gets!! Even Acura didn’t stay w/the body style too long. R.I.P. 2009-2011 TL.