The history of cars and naming them is a funny thing. Almost everyone has heard of some of the more famous SNAFU’s, but there’s always more to be had.
If you’re in the mood for some car news mixed with a bit of comedy, read on for some interesting tidbits of car history knowledge:
Naming a car is a finicky process, and one marketing departments at automotive manufacturers dread. After crossing hundreds of names off a list, sometimes a good name sticks — even if the final selection is a total misrepresentation of the car. Here are our top five:
Arguably the zenith of John DeLorean’s work at Pontiac, the LeMans GTO is an interesting moniker for an automobile that was neither homologated for the Grand Touring class nor ever run at LeMans. According to lore, DeLorean was inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO, and decided that the name was perfect for his new project. No stranger to breaking the rules (or the Harrison Narcotics Act), DeLorean defied GM corporate edicts banning engines over 5.4 liters on A-frame cars, and pushed the GTO to enter production. The calculated risk paid off, and the GTO would go on to become the legendary muscle car it is known as today.
To excel is to be exceptionally good at something, which is an ironic name for a car that only excelled at not being particularly good at anything. As Korean automaker Hyundai’s first front-wheel-drive car, the driving mechanics were a bit wonky, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of American consumers for years to come — not the first impression Hyundai had hoped to make on its newest buyers. Of course, how much could one expect for a car starting below $5,000 in 1984? Misnomers: Five Cars that dont live up to their names | Fox News
You can also read Five Cars that dont live up to their names on E-Z Transport.
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