Enjoyed N,V&H as usual, but
how was the Bronco II an embarassment? It wasn't a great vehicle but it wasn't that bad either. I  think the EXP or the "Murker" with the Pinto turbo were bigger blunders.  Anyone else care to name their favorite embarassments?  

The Mustang II was apalling.  

Nothing uglier has ever been made than the Chevy Van/SUV that looked like it fell out of a surplus parts bin at GM.

I tried to remember it's name but it was so ugly that I forced myself to forget it.  

Yeah I agree there was nothing wrong with the Bronco II; it's how I broke into the awesome world of 4-wheeling in when I lived in Washinton state; still own  a Jeep to this day.

I DO aggree that the Ford EXP was a loser in the looks department as was most the stuff from domestic dealers in the 70's. For a current worst I would have to nominate the Pontiac Aztec myself.  

Well gee you hate LA. What a moronic editorial. I'm from New York and have lived in LA for 16 years. Through the riots and the earthquakes. Pulling out those myopic tired cliches of LA as cultural wasteland, so you've seen a Woody Allen movie. No LA isn't New York. Newsflash: most of the culture the world sees that is "American", comes from LA! Oh by the way service people tend to be attentive to jerks like you because they make their living off of tips. This is LA I doubt they were that impressed with the car. Since you write for a car magazine, who really cares what you think of any city?  

The Ford Focus.Not as ugly as the Edsel but close.  

...back in the day when I saving to buy my first car, intended to be a Bentley Mark VI (when one could be obtained nicely for $2,500) my brother received his first car...

When '65 Mustang convertibles could be routinely bought for $250, and my father had yet to relinquish the Porsche 912 he drove---likewise having traded-in our beloved dark green '65 SS396 Chevy Super Sport Coupe for peanuts in 1972 (would that I had that car today!)---my Dad's love of foreign cars got the better of him. He still missed the blue 404 Peugot! So he found what appealed to his sense of thrift and economy for a young-man's first car to be bestowed upon my brother.

Foolishly my brother told all his friends of the impending arrival of the new chariot to grace our driveway. Luckily I got home first with my friend Steve. There it was...

White. Four Doors. Red Vinyl upholstery with reclining seats. 1,300cc@83Bhp. The front disc brakes entirely unneccessary given the terminal velocity of this rear mounted engine. What was "terminal" was our laughter when we saw the chrome script on the back of this sublime beauty. "With a motor like that, it won't even make it up the hill at the end of our street..." I said. My friend Steve pointed to the Master Cylinder, and endless giggling ensued. "A Demi-tasse cup holds more than that...how do you stop a car with four people on THAT?" "WE" conspired to hide in the bushed to overhear and watch the arrival of my brother and his friends.

S-I-M-C-A was boldly spelled out on the decklid on this little rolling "morsel" of metal. Having grown up around unusual foreign cars (when such things were novelties) as HRG's, MG's Riley's, Peugot's, in addition to ubiquitous Detroit Iron, at least I knew what SIMCA meant. Chrysler having acquired the beast in Europe as a somewhat competent ralley and sometime race car attempting to internationalize their business. No doubt this was the only one in town---ANY town within miles.

My brother's face turned as bright red as the seats when he arrived and the jibing started; "Where does the crank go?"; "Oh what powers the radio?"; "So you want us to help you push it?" Alas, no one wanted a Simca parked next to their real car in the high-school parking lot. When my brother was brave enough to venture forth, he found the SIMCA was a banned commodity in the social ranks. No ONE wanted to be seen riding in that car. And EVERYONE soon knew who had that car---for my brother, no dates were in the offing.

My father could not have done worse than if he had parked a pink Edsel in the driveway...this was worse than a Dauphine! Sadly, the enterprising Australian Military Attache from whom we had bought the car, considering himself an expert tinkerer, having "modified" the engine for more performance ("what performance", I wondered?) tinkered with it in such a way as to guarantee my brother's embarassement behind the wheel had a short career.

One fine cold afternoon after much trashing, he had reduced the motor to molten metal. "Sadly" I say,  that happened, because instead of having to further endure the ignominy of Simca Ownership, my brother got the Porsche (and I didn't!! DAMN!!!)  

Thus I never had the chance to give him that Simca Racing Jacket I had secretly purchased as an X-Mas present that year....
       
DouglasR  

To all at Automobile:

I have been a subscriber since your inception and have always respected(not always agreed) with your opinions. Your January 2008 edition article "All Stars 2008" makes me want to reevaluate the respect part.

How can the 2008 Cadillac CTS not be included in your top 10 of Smart, Sexy, Fast...Best Cars to Fill Your Dream Garage. Wouldn't all of you agree that this car is the best American Sedan.....maybe ever!

Maybe you have a bias toward GM? Maybe you just don't want to give them 3 cars in the top 10. For whatever the reason, IT IS WRONG. There were years when GM didn't do any thing to deserve 1 car and you made it known. Today though, in 2008, you must recognize GM's accomplishments, which include the 2008 Cadillac CTS.

As a result, in what should be your first annual Reader's Choice Award, I elect the 2008 Cadillac CTS to be included as one of the ALL STARS 2008. This should correct your "Forgetfulness".

                     Carl DeCurtis

                     Cherry Hill, NJ  

Hey Carl, is that you??? It's Karen. My Mom's trying to catch up to your Mom. Email me @ Karenschw@Comcast.net  

Here, Here, I agree, the Pontiac Aztec is the most ugliest car I've seen in a long time..