10 Worst Automotive Fads

There is a subtle but important difference between fashion and a fad. Fashion is the inevitable evolution and refreshment of taste and style in everything from clothing to automobiles, which keeps those things from getting tiresome and stale. Fashion drives innovation for the sake of innovation, and it is generally considered a good thing. On the other hand, fads such as fuzzy dice are as ephemeral and unpredictable as fashion, but in the end are just plain silly.

With the benefit of hindsight, it’s generally pretty easy to recognize a fad, but for each of the designs, technologies or accessories below, there was a window in time and an enthusiastic audience that aligned perfectly to turn a dumb, pointless concept into an embarrassing reality. Sam Livingston, of Car Design Research, has seen plenty of fads come and go and even feels a bit nostalgic for some of them. “Remember, the ambitions behind most of these things were quite noble, I’m sure,” he says. “All of these things probably seemed like a good idea at the time.”

LauderdaleDriver - 7/10/2009 11:18:03 AM

+9 Boost

I'd go with the absurd wings and plastic "aero kits" .....not just on tuner cars, but on factory editions.

Joe_Limon - 7/10/2009 12:20:18 PM

0 Boost

Gotta love fwd cars with factory spoilers.

carguy68 - 7/10/2009 1:10:19 PM

+5 Boost

Another one is the hummer.

SteedPub - 7/10/2009 1:27:58 PM

+6 Boost

Fake wood on the side flanks. Chrysler was the worst. Station wagons are one thing, but they were putting wood-paper on two-door Turbo convertible LeBarons.

bfghemicuda - 7/10/2009 5:34:17 PM

-1 Boost

Chrysler was not the worst

Whelan - 7/10/2009 1:29:01 PM

+7 Boost

I had two Saturns from the mid 90's with the auto seatbelt, That thing was a PIA. Only good about it was that it was one less step to do when getting into a car.

As for the wood, I loved the fakeness. We had a 1989 Ford Crown Victoria LTD Country Esquire edition, in dark dark red with the fake wood. What a comfy ride that was on long trips. To this day I still favor wagons over SUVs or Minivans. Maybe when I have kids I'll get a Volvo V70R or XC70.

But how could they have forgotten the fad of Whistle Tips, You know Bubb Rubb made his millions waking people up for breakfast in the morning, cause it was like an alarm clock. (for those not aware, go to youtube and type in "bubb rubb").

Or for that matter, exhaust cans. You know the lawnmower muffles kids put on their cars to get that rhaspy weed whacker sound. The best were the ones who simply cut the tip off the muffler so there was no other pipe.

quizz - 7/10/2009 1:40:38 PM

+3 Boost

Love the vinyl faux carbon fiber stickers, LOL. Maybe I should get one that says "My Other Car Is A Porsche"

bfghemicuda - 7/10/2009 5:36:02 PM

+1 Boost

Wait a munute Curb feelers were cool. I think they should come back.

theman440 - 7/11/2009 12:42:31 AM

+3 Boost

Hey, I've got curb feelers on my racecar !

bfghemicuda - 7/10/2009 5:38:45 PM

+7 Boost

Backward mud flaps on early firebirds, trunk spoilers that look like a picnic table, and stick on flames.

delan - 7/12/2009 7:48:30 AM

+4 Boost

Does it hurt to be such an idiot?

1dott8 - 7/10/2009 9:39:12 PM

+4 Boost

i may get deboosted for this but to me one of the worst fads is LDW (lane departure warning). are we that bad of drivers that we need this in our cars?

rallyss - 7/10/2009 11:16:20 PM

+3 Boost

have you been on the roads lately 1dott8, you and i might be fine but there are lots of people that are very stupid and need these things.

Camryman - 7/11/2009 8:10:59 PM

+3 Boost

No they don't, those folks need to get their licenses revoked.

1dott8 - 7/12/2009 12:12:01 PM

+3 Boost

Camryman - i couldn't agree more.

theman440 - 7/11/2009 1:07:19 AM

-2 Boost

1. Puting an Olds engine in a Pontiac.
2. Mounting the starter to the engine block.
3. The H2
4. Cadillac "sports cars"
5. FWD drag racing.
6. Civic 4-door with a spoiler.
7. The H3
8. 4WD diesel pickup with 48" lift, 44" tires, 36" dropped hitch, used for transportation.
9. Environmentally friendly cars.
10. H3T

Camryman - 7/11/2009 8:16:28 PM

+2 Boost

TM440 I was with you all the up to #9. That's when you lost me. I don't own a Environmentally friendly car A.k.a Hybrid, but I think we should applaud anyone who wants to do their part to give the environment a break.
#10 however is correct.