Tucker 48
Why it didn’t work: The “Tucker Torpedo” 48 was arguably one of the most controversial cars to come out of the 40’s, despite the fact that it was well ahead of its time. For one, it went against all the rules; a rear-mounted 589 cubic-inch flat 6-cylinder motor, the “Cyclops Eye”, a directional third headlight (which was illegal at the time) independent four-wheel suspension and suicide doors. Unfortunately, the hype didn’t live for long. The car experienced mechanical problems just before its highly-expected unveiling in 1947, also accidentally revealing that it had no reverse gear, due to its highly-complex gearbox layout. The company later suffered accusations of fraud, leading to Tucker’s demise in 1949. Why it did: The Tucker story was undoubtedly a painful one, but also served as inspiration to Simpsons creator Matt Groening, after sketching up an episode where Homer meets his long-lost brother, Herb Powell, (played by Danny DeVito) the CEO of a major car company. Desperate to save dwindling car sales, Herb hires Homer to design him a whole new, exciting car. Later in the episode, it all goes horribly wrong when Homer unveils “The Homer” – a car so impractical, hideous and expensive that it puts Herb out of business. The scene was an allusion to what happened to Tucker in 1947.
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AMC Gremlin
Why it didn’t work: Introduced in 1970 to silently address the changing tide of the familiar (and massively thirsty) American car, the Gremlin was truly in a class of its own. Often described looking like a “sawed-off wagon” it did offer some pluses; its available engines delivered the best power in its class (it was even offered with a 5.0-litre V8) and provided a comfortable ride. However, much like AMC’s other ugly duckling, the Gremlin’s design was too bizarre and comical to be taken seriously. Why it did: Ridiculed for its name and looks, the Gremlin still had the last laugh (or cackle, perhaps) as it became one of the most familiar cars in pop culture. Serving as the comic book guy’s car in the Simpsons, the Gremlin also makes a cameo appearance as an evil henchman in Cars 2. Highly recognized nowadays by its unique appearance, the Gremlin has become a collectible, as well as created its own cult following.
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