10 of The Ugliest and Worst Performing Sports Cars Ever

Not every sports car to roll off the production line has been a hit. Occasionally, designers and engineers miss the mark, resulting in vehicles that fall short in aesthetic appeal and performance metrics.

These less-than-stellar models serve as cautionary tales in the automotive world, reminding us that even the most reputable manufacturers can sometimes create flops. From questionable design choices to subpar engineering, these cars have earned a place in automotive infamy.

Mitsuoka Orochi

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Mitsuoka, a Japanese Kit car and replica manufacturer, generally doesn’t make attractive cars, but the Orochi is their worst. Designed as a mid-engine sports car with a Toyota V6 engine, its creators went overboard with their design ideas. It almost seems like someone wanted to ruin the company’s reputation. Despite its looks, the Orochi was priced at about $100,000.

Studebaker Avanti

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The Studebaker Avanti, a 1960s sports car, featured advanced design ideas like curved side glass, an off-center power dome on the hood, and a raised rear end. However, these elements didn’t quite come together. The odd front end completed the weird look, and Avanti’s production only lasted from 1963 to 1964, ending shortly before the company shut down for good.

Lamborghini Veneno

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The Veneno is a hypercar with 740hp from a naturally aspirated V12 engine. It hits 60mph in under 3 seconds and tops out at 355km/h. Despite its performance, it was voted one of the ugliest cars ever due to its weird angles and aggressive lines. Lamborghini made it exclusive with a high price tag, and now it’s worth several million dollars, proving people will pay for exclusivity from a premium brand.

Plymouth Prowler

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The design of this American sports car was inspired by the 1950s hot rods, but it didn’t work out well. The tapered front end was a niche taste, and the car didn’t find many buyers. Even the optional trailer kit didn’t boost sales. Lacking true sports car performance, its V6 engine managed only 214hp. First manufactured in 1997 by Chrysler, Daimler Chrysler tried again in 1999, but the second run lasted only three years before they gave up.

Lombardi Grand Prix

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Italians are generally known for designing beautiful cars, but not this one. The Lombardi Grand Prix is an awkward contraption with a wedged front and bloated rear end. One can only wonder what inspired its design. To make matters worse, the car was powered by an 843cc engine producing a mere 47hp. Abarth tried to fix this with their 1300 Scorpione, adding more power but doing nothing for the car’s appearance.

Jensen SV8

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The Jensen SV8 will leave you puzzled as it drives past, especially if you glimpse its front end. The droopy hood, panel design, and multiple lights are just too much. Launched at the 1998 British International Motor Show, an initial run of 300 vehicles was planned. However, only 20 cars were completed before the company faced numerous problems.

Lister Storm

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The Lister Storm, launched in 1993, was declared the fastest four-seat supercar. Its 7-liter V12 engine generated 600hp, hitting a top speed of 330km/h. However, its wedge-shaped design did nothing for its looks. Production lasted just two years due to a lack of interest in the unattractive car.

Covini C6W

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The Covini is an Italian two-seater sports car with an 8-cylinder engine that can exceed 200 km/h. You’ll immediately notice something odd—it has six wheels. This feature alone earns it a spot on this list. The extra axle disrupts the car’s fluid lines. It’s a wonder how financiers approved its production. Even more puzzling is that the company sold a few units to the public.

Porsche 914

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The 914 was Porsche’s attempt at an affordable mid-engine sports car created with Volkswagen. However, it was disappointing. Its quirky design couldn’t compensate for its lackluster performance, with its boxer engine barely producing 100 horsepower. While agile in tight turns, its sluggish acceleration made it far from sporty. Discontinued after seven years, the 914 is often remembered as one of Porsche’s less illustrious moments.

Chevrolet Corvette C1

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The first Corvette may be iconic today, but its debut was far from stellar. Hastily rushed into production, it suffered from leaks, doors that could pop open mid-drive, and numerous other issues. It’s a wonder it survived its challenging launch year.

Disclaimer This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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