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Dark Days In Detroit: The Worst Cadillac Models Of All Time

Once known as the standard of the auto world, Cadillac is a long-respected car company. Established in 1902, the company has been on the market for 120 years. That alone is a great success. During this period, Cadillac produced several well-built luxury cars, defining the segment in the American market. For most of the 20th century, Cadillac was the no. 1 luxury car brand in the world. But recently, its luck has changed.

Imported luxury brands, recessions, and customer tastes all forced Cadillac to change its approach and philosophy. We’ve already chronicled the best Cadillacs ever made, and indeed there are many. So we had to look at the other side of the coin with the worst cars Cadillac has ever made. Some were good but failed to sell. But most were below this brand’s standards and customers’ expectations. Check them out right here.

Photo Credit: GM

Cadillac BLS

The first car on the list is an example of this approach. The idea behind the Cadillac BLS was sound. It was a compact, luxury sedan in the mold of the Mercedes C-Class or BMW 3-Series. The BLS was built in SAAB’s factory in Sweden and sold in Europe. Presenting Cadillac in a new light, it was a good plan on paper, but its realization was tragic (via The Autopian).

Photo Credit: GM

In order to cut costs, GM used SAAB 93 underpinnings. They weren’t the best parts, but they were cheap. They also saved on interior materials and unique drivetrain or engine options. The result was a dull vehicle that had the same driving characteristics as the SAAB 93 or Opel Vectra. The market’s reaction could have been much more favorable. The BLS spent only a few years on the market and the last examples left the factory in 2009.

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Revolutionary Rides: The Most Important Cars Of The Last 30 Years

In the auto world, there are the average, ordinary cars you don’t bat an eye at. And then there are the cars that changed the industry. Cars like the Tesla Roadster and Toyota Prius completely revolutionized the way we drive today. There are other cars like the Jeep Cherokee that started an entirely new segment. Today, we take certain cars and SUV models for granted because we’ve forgotten how far they’ve come over the past 30 years.

Other vehicles like the Lincoln Navigator are also overlooked when it comes to their impact on the industry. The Navigator sparked the full-size luxury SUV segment we have today. So these defining cars definitely deserve their due. We looked back at the most important cars from the last 30 years and the impact they had on the auto industry right here.

Photo Credit: Jeep

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Released to the market as a 1993 model, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was the first modern luxury SUV. It’s said the only reason Chrysler Corporation purchased American Motors was for the design of the Grand Cherokee. Without a doubt, the Grand Cherokee was one of the most influential SUV models of the last 30 years (via KBB).

Photo Credit: Jeep

It was everything that consumers wanted and didn’t realize they needed. The Grand Cherokee was simultaneously comfortable, rugged, and practical. Without the success of the Grand Cherokee, the Jeep brand wouldn’t be what it is today. Not to mention the fact that the Grand Cherokee sparked a wave of midsize luxury SUV offerings throughout the car industry.

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Mopar Muscle: Legendary Dodge Cars That Defined The Game

The Pontiac GTO might have started the muscle car revolution in 1964, but Dodge and Plymouth soon followed. Since Chrysler never imposed displacement limits and a racing ban like did GM, Dodge and its Mopar muscle cars soon became very active both at drag strips and NASCAR ovals, winning numerous drag races.

The R/T badge on the fenders stood for “Road and Track” and truly meant it. Chargers, Challengers, Daytonas, and Coronets were equally impressive on the roads as well as on the drag strips and circuits. With mighty 426 Hemi and 440 Magnums under the hoods, Dodge cars were amongst the fastest and most powerful muscle cars of the classic era. To celebrate that, we compiled a list of the best models that truly defined Mopar muscle car performance. Check them out right here.

Photo Credit: Motor Trend

Dodge D-Series High-Performance Package

Back in the early ’60s, Dodge had a lineup of trucks that fell behind Ford and Chevrolet. Their competitors had newer models, more options, and more engine choices. But Dodge didn’t give up. They introduced an attractive special edition from 1964 to 1966 that took the pickup world by storm. They called it the High-Performance Package. It featured a lot of go-faster goodies from Mopar. First, there was the mighty 426 Wedge V8 engine with 375 HP. At the time, it was the biggest, most powerful engine ever in a pickup truck.

Photo Credit: Motor Trend

There were bucket seats in the interior and a 6,000 RPM tachometer. It also came with wild racing stripes and a performance transmission (via Motor Trend). Dodge even revised the suspension to withstand its big power and torque. The finished product looked cool and performed well, but its high price sealed its fate. They only made 50 Dodge D Series High-Performance Package models and only 31 exist today. As a result, they are rare, valuable vehicles that are increasingly hard to find.

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Affordable Dreams: Exotic Cars That Won’t Break the Bank

In this crazy world of collector’s cars, prices are going through the roof with records broken seemingly every auction. The well-known models are highly sought-after and demand overwhelms the supply. Many exotic and/or muscle cars command extreme prices. For example, million-dollar Hemi Cudas are no exception; they are the new standard of the industry. So, what do drivers do if they have an irresistible urge for an exotic machine but they don’t have the required million-dollar budget?

If that sounds like you, we have a wide selection of exciting machinery just for you. These range from well-known brands to complete obscurities and from brand-new cars to forgotten classics. Here you’ll find exotic cars that can fit any budget and any taste. The best thing about this eclectic mix of vehicles is that all of them are great conversation starters. Some are fast and some are not, but all are rare, cool, and unusual exotic cars.

Photo Credit: Ferrari

Ferrari 456 GT

If you’re looking for the most car for your money or you want a Ferrari for a reasonable price, then the 456 GT is for you. Introduced in 1992 in Europe and in 1995 in America, the 456 GT combines classic proportions, a V12 engine, and full comfort for four adults. Thanks to a 5.5-liter V12 engine with 442 HP on tap, the 456 GT is still a fast machine and can outrun some younger cars. Ferrari offered the option of an automatic gearbox for buyers who don’t want to shift gears. Those examples are more affordable than the six-speed manuals (via Ferrari).

Photo Credit: Ferrari

The 456 GT stayed in production until 2003. Ferrari made over 3200 examples of this wonderful and understated GT cruiser. Despite costing almost $300,000 in the mid-’90s, a decent 456 GT is around $80,000 today with the best examples going for just over $90,000. Of course, this is a decent sum for any car enthusiast, but considering the features, power, and design of this elegant cruiser, it’s well worth it.

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Driving Dangers: The Most Unsafe Cars On The Road At Any Speed

Cars and trucks are some of the deadliest things humans use on a daily basis, and most drivers don’t even realize that. But automotive design and safety have come a long way in the past few decades. However, there have been extremely unsafe cars, even with modern safety enhancements. During the 1990s, SUVs were a hot-button issue and the Isuzu Trooper was at the forefront of the discussion as the worst.

The Ford Explorer was also the subject of intense controversy in the early 2000s due to explosions and rollover incidents. Looking back a few decades, the Chevrolet Corvair was so bad that a congressman named Ralph Nader penned a book about it titled “Unsafe At Any Speed”. We looked back through the decades and found some of the most unsafe cars on the road. You’ll want to avoid these rides, so find out just which model they are right here.

Chevrolet Vega GT
Photo Credit: GM

Chevrolet Vega

The Vega was known for “literally” being a rust bucket as it started rusting as soon as the driver left the dealership. But the Vega was also a very unsafe car with a poor crash test rating and build quality. The engine design was the poorest ever made out of GM, with everything from piston scuffing to head gasket failure (via Motor Trend).

Chevrolet Vega GT
Photo Credit: Cars and Bids

There’s no denying the Vega was rushed onto the market. The real question was how did GM get away with it for so long? There was an onslaught of new compact cars that hit the market during this period, and the Vega was one of them. But between poor build quality and limited reliability, the Vega was an awful car.

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Muscle To Masterpiece: The Greatest Chevrolet SS Models Ever Made

It’s amazing how two simple letters can pack so much meaning for car enthusiasts. Chevrolet and its “Super Sport” models, or SS for short, have been a truly dominating force in the auto world since the early 1960s. The SS series was one of the first “royal family” models in GM’s stable. Technically, the SS designation was introduced in the late 1950s for a special track-only Corvette.

But it became truly well-known when those two S were bolted on the fenders of the 1961 Impala. That was the exact moment when the SS moniker became legendary and set the path forth for many cars that followed. Muscle car fans remember these fire-breathing GM beasts as some of the finest muscle cars of Detroit’s Golden Age, and for good reason. Check out the greatest car that bore the coveted SS designation right here.

Photo Credit: Mecum

1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409

The legendary 196q Impala SS (Super Sport) package has its place in muscle car history as a very important model that promoted performance to the general public. This was one of the first high-performance automobiles that were relatively affordable and fast. Everything started when Chevrolet decided to transform its 409 truck engine for use in passenger cars and found out it could outrun all other cars on the road. Just with mild modifications to the engine, it could produce up to 409 HP, enough to propel the Impala from 0 to 60 mph in just six seconds flat (via Motor Trend).

Photo Credit: Mecum

At the time that was Corvette territory. So as a mid-year introduction, Chevrolet presented the SS package. It featured bucket seats, sports trim, and other details. It came with a 348 V8 engine with 350 HP. However, the most interesting option was the 409 V8 with up to 409 HP if you opted for the dual quad intake system. Even though Chevrolet sold over a million of its full-size models, it only made 456 Impalas SS models that year. Out of those, only 142 Impalas came with the 409 engine. Interestingly, the 409 option was available for all Chevrolet full-size models in 1961. Hence, Chevrolet could make sedans and wagons with 409, but those cars have yet to surface. Today, the 1961 Impala SS 409 is one of the most valuable cars in Chevrolet’s storied muscle car history.

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Disastrous: Cars That Almost Bankrupted The Big Three Automakers

It’s not a secret that the automotive industry is built around sales success. If a car isn’t selling or it is controversial (perhaps even both), it means the difference between millions of dollars or a huge loss for the company that made it. Many automotive companies were bankrupted for many reasons, and indeed the car industry is cutthroat. But even the most successful automotive companies have had close calls with failed projects. For example, the exalted Ford Motor Company has teetered on collapse more than once.

The most catastrophic events in the automotive industry have centered around vehicles like the Ford Pinto, which had an exploding gas tank, or the Chevrolet Corvair, which was dubbed unsafe at any speed by the United States Congress. But companies like Ford and GM always found ways to heal the damaged reputation from these vehicles. However, there is no denying that these cars from the big three automakers almost bankrupted their companies at one point or another. Look back at these infamous moments in automotive history right here.

Photo Credit: Bring a Trailer

Ford Pinto

The Pinto was a car that was designed to help consumers with the high fuel prices of the 1970s. Automakers moved toward fuel-efficient cars and thus the Pinto was at the forefront for Ford Motor Company. The debacle that happened with the fuel tank was understandably enough to cause the car to have a great deal of controversy surrounding it (via Tort Museum).

Ford Maverick
Photo Credit: Car Domain

The Pinto was initially a great selling vehicle for Ford but that luster quickly wore off. The car was plagued by all kinds of other quality issues. Surprisingly enough Ford based the third-generation Mustang on the Pinto platform. The car was a far cry from the muscle car that it once was and the Pinto was a joke overall for car buyers.

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American Beauty: Classic Cars That Are Simply Stunning When Modded

Car modifying is a multi-billion-dollar industry ranging from a simple sticker set to expensive, advanced engine changes and body kits. With so many choices out there, the only limiting factor is money. Most of the time, drivers need a lot of cash to turn an ordinary car into something special after it’s been modded.

Car fans love to see an adequately modified car. And many of those fans pay close attention to classic American cars that went through the hands of talented engineers and designers. That’s why we’re going to showcase our favorite American classic cars that are simply stunning when modified. These American classics set the template for so many enthusiasts around the world, so enjoy them here.

Photo Credit: Mecum

Yenko Stinger

Everybody knows about the fantastic Yenko 427 Camaros. But did you know about the Yenko Stinger, a race-prepared Corvair that won the SCCA championship? Even before the Camaros, Yenko produced at least 100 white Yenko Stingers with a special suspension, modified bodies, and 160-190 HP flat-six engines (via Hemmings).

Photo Credit: Silodrome

The cars proved to be very competitive and stable compared to other SCCA competitors. However, when the Camaro was introduced, Yenko turned to 427 conversions and the Yenko Stinger project was put on hold. Today, those white coupes are highly sought after by collectors.

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Behind The Scenes: Exclusive Rides Owned By Ken Block and Other Racing Legends

Ken Block was one of the most well-known motorsports superstars in the world. His unique brand Hoonigan became a household name in the rally car world. To be a rally car racer, you need to have a certain sense of danger, and Block pushed that envelope every day. His love for the rally car circuit and motorsports helped his career spanning over three decades. With the untimely loss of Block in a recent snowmobile crash, the motorsports world will never be the same.

Block left his mark on the automotive world, thanks in no small part to his insane, unique car collection. Other racing legends in the industry have also been known to have expensive car collections. People like Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. love to drive in civilian life almost as much as they did on the racetrack. With a substantial net worth of millions of dollars, there’s no surprise that these car enthusiasts can afford whatever they want to drive. To celebrate Block and the mark he made on the car world, we looked at the fast and expensive rides owned by him and other racing legends here.

Photo Credit: Instagram

2013 Ford F-150 Raptortrax (Ken Block)

One of the perks of being a famous auto celebrity like Ken Block is that you have the money to build your dream toys. Block did exactly that with the 2013 Ford F-150 Raptortrax. The Raptortrax was a specialty truck designed to be a giant snowmobile. Block showed off the Raptortrax for Motor Trend Magazine and annihilated mountains of snow (via SV Off-Road).

Photo Credit: Instagram

The 2013 Ford F-150 Raptortrax was a purpose-built project by Block. The idea behind the truck was to build something that climbs even the snowiest mountains. The Raptortrax took everything great about the Ford Raptor to the next level.

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Controversial American Sports Cars That Divided The Auto World

Car fans both new and experienced know that the American car industry has produced more than a few amazing machines. Of course, many drivers will immediately think of the Mustang or Corvette. But the truth is that US manufacturers have produced many more pure sports cars. Some of them never achieved mainstream success and some did, and many more were controversial.

All of these cars featured powerful engines, streamlined bodies, and exciting performance. Some of these inspired their own kind of controversy as well. So today we’ll concentrate on controversial models that sparked discussion amongst the fans. These cars erupted on the scene and offered more questions than answers. Check out the American sports cars that divided the auto world right here.

Photo Credit: Motor1

Callaway Aerowagen

Rives Callaway established Callaway Cars in 1977, long after the muscle car craze wound down. At the time, high-horsepower performance machines were a thing of the past. He specialized in producing turbocharger kits for European cars. His knowledge, expertise and the start of the turbo era perfectly lined up. As a result, the company took off (via Callaway Cars). During the 1980s, Callaway became known for its series of fast, obscenely powerful Corvettes.

Photo Credit: Motor1

Today, almost 30 years later, Callaway is back with the Aerowagen conversion model. Based on a brand-new C7 Corvette available on all trim levels, the Aerowagen is a conversion kit directly from Callaway or authorized dealers. The kit includes a special rear hatch assembly that transforms the C7 Corvette into a fully functional shooting brake. Small companies produced several shooting brake/wagon conversions on various Corvette models. Still, Callaway’s design is the most advanced, well-designed, and tested. Overall, it improved the design by making it more practical.

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