Great Motoring Disasters Archives

Great Motoring Disasters: Alfa Romeo 156

Retro Motor team - November 2, 20222

The Alfa Romeo 156 was a head-turner when it came out in 1997, and sales were buoyant. So where did it all go wrong?

Great Motoring Disasters: Audi A2

Retro Motor team - February 15, 20223

With a lightweight aluminium structure and advanced aerodynamics, the Audi A2 was years ahead of its time. Sadly, buyers weren't ready for it.

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Great Motoring Disasters: Austin 1800

Retro Motor team - January 11, 20220

At best, just 40,000 Morris 1800s were sold a year – well short of the predicted 200,000. We investigate a Great (British) Motoring Disaster.

Great Motoring Disasters

Great Motoring Disasters: Austin Maxi

Retro Motor team - February 25, 20234

The Austin Maxi could have, and probably should have, been a great car. Sadly, even before it was launched, some were questioning it...

Great Motoring Disasters

Great Motoring Disasters: Cadillac Allante

Retro Motor team - May 4, 20232

The Cadillac Allante's body was made in Italy, then flown to the USA on a Boeing 747 for final assembly. Unsurprisingly, it didn't make money.

Great Motoring Disasters

Great Motoring Disasters: Caterham 21

Retro Motor team - November 1, 20230

A Seven with added style and civility? It sounds appealing, so why was the Caterham 21 a Great Motoring Disaster? We tell its story.

Great Motoring Disasters

Great Motoring Disasters: Chevrolet Volt

Retro Motor team - October 28, 20225

We remember the disastrous Chevrolet Volt and its European cousin, the Vauxhall Ampera – the world's first plug-in hybrid cars.

Great Motoring Disasters

Great Motoring Disasters: Chrysler in the UK

Retro Motor team - June 2, 20231

Chrysler has made several attempts at UK success, starting with the Rootes Group in the 1960s and ending with some dismal rebadged Lancias.

Great Motoring Disasters

Great Motoring Disasters: Fiat Croma

Retro Motor team - January 27, 20240

Fiat withdrew the Croma from UK sale just two years after its 2005 launch. We investigate why it was a Great Motoring Disaster.

Great Motoring Disasters

Great Motoring Disasters: Fiat Stilo

Retro Motor team - January 27, 20230

Faced with the original Ford Focus, the Stilo didn't stand a chance. And this instantly forgettable hatchback would lose Fiat billions.

Great Motoring Disasters

Great Motoring Disasters: Ford Scorpio

Retro Motor team - September 27, 20220

The 1994 Ford Scorpio was, in some ways, ahead of its time. However, few buyers could get past its bug-eyed styling and it was quickly canned.

Great Motoring Disasters

Great Motoring Disasters: Jowett Javelin

Retro Motor team - November 30, 20221

Launched in 1947, the Jowett Javelin looked like the family car of the future. Sadly, the Bradford-based company went too far, too fast...