Summary:
Automakers spend considerable time and money naming their vehicles, but sometimes the public assigns their own nicknames—some of which become even more famous than the official ones. Here are some of the most iconic car nicknames.
“Bug” – Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Beetle, originally called the KdF-Wagen in 1938, was officially named the Type 1 before “Beetle” became widely used and later adopted by VW in 1968. “Bug” remained an unofficial yet globally recognized nickname.
“Tin Snail” – Citroën 2CV
The Citroën 2CV, launched in 1949, was a simple, affordable car. Its quirky shape and sluggish speed led to the nickname “Tin Snail.” Despite its humble beginnings, it remained in production until 1990.
“Tin Lizzie” – Ford Model T
Introduced in 1908, the Ford Model T revolutionized the auto industry. It was simple, affordable, and mass-produced, earning several nicknames, with “Tin Lizzie” being the most popular.
“The Goat” – Pontiac GTO
The Pontiac GTO, launched in 1964, bypassed GM’s engine restrictions by offering its powerful V8 as an options package. The “Goat” nickname wasn’t initially about “Greatest of All Time” but rather a play on the GTO badge.
“Clown Shoe” – BMW Z3 M Coupe
With its unique hatchback design, the 1999-2002 BMW Z3 M Coupe was dubbed the “Clown Shoe.” Though controversial in appearance, it delivered impressive performance.
“Godzilla” – Nissan GT-R
The Nissan GT-R earned the nickname “Godzilla” from an Australian magazine in 1989, thanks to its monstrous performance. The name stuck, and the GT-R remains an icon in automotive history.
“Deuce” – 1932 Ford
The 1932 Ford, known as the “Deuce” for the -2 in its model year, introduced Ford’s first V8 engine. It became a favorite for hot-rodders, cementing its legendary status.
“Saabaru” – Saab 9-2X
The Saab 9-2X, produced in 2005-2006, was essentially a rebadged Subaru Impreza due to GM’s stake in Fuji Heavy Industries. The mix of Saab and Subaru led to the nickname “Saabaru.”
“The Widowmaker” – Porsche 911 930
Porsche’s first turbocharged 911, the 930, launched in 1974, was notoriously difficult to control due to turbo lag and oversteer. This led to its ominous “Widowmaker” nickname.
“Screaming Chicken” – Pontiac Trans Am
The Pontiac Trans Am’s hood decal, introduced in 1973, was meant to be a rising phoenix. However, it was mockingly dubbed the “Screaming Chicken,” a name that stuck despite its popularity.
“Sharknose” – Graham Spirit of Motion & Ferrari Dino 156
Both the 1938 Graham Spirit of Motion and the 1961 Ferrari Dino 156 earned the “Sharknose” nickname due to their distinctively aggressive front-end designs.
“Rambo Lambo” – Lamborghini LM002
The 1986 Lamborghini LM002, a high-performance SUV with a Countach V12 engine, was nicknamed “Rambo Lambo” after being associated with Sylvester Stallone.
These nicknames, given by enthusiasts and the public, have become an enduring part of car culture, often outshining the names chosen by automakers themselves.
Driving
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