Naming a car is important. Like, really important. Get it right, and you could end up in the history books—Camaro, Firebird, and Mustang. Or, if you’re more into numbers—3 Series, 911, and 458. But get it wrong, and oh boy, does the internet remember.
For every great car name throughout history, there have been plenty of misses. Not all of these names are necessarily bad, but they’re definitely strange, and some are downright bizarre. Here are a few of our favorites.
Chevrolet Celebrity
Photo by: Chevrolet
There was, and still is, nothing particularly “celebrity” about this car. It’s D-list at best. Think of an actor who gets just enough gigs to fill out a lengthy IMDb page with one-episode TV appearances, made-for-TV movies, and music videos for bands that broke up years ago. Maybe that’s why the name lasted just eight years in Chevy’s lineup before disappearing for good.
Daihatsu Naked
Photo by: Daihatsu
Despite its R-rated name, the Daihatsu Naked isn’t all that scandalous. It’s actually just a cute little kei car with exposed door hinges and a pretty minimal equipment list. So, the name makes sense, even if we did raise an eyebrow when we first saw it.
Dodge Charger/Challenger Scat Pack
Photo by: Dodge
Historically, “scat” meant to get out of somewhere in a hurry, which would make perfect sense if we lived in a world without middle-school bathroom humor. For what it’s worth, the Scat Pack doesn’t get all that many jokes about its name, so maybe we’re in the minority here. Still, it’s hard not to giggle a little.
Ford Probe
Photo by: Ford
To borrow a joke from Michael Scott: Three guys are sitting at a bar. The first says, “Well, I’m an astronaut, so I drive a Saturn.” The second chimes in, “Well, I’m a pimp, so I drive a cheap Escort.” Then the third guy says, “I’ve got you both beat. I’m a proctologist, so I drive a brown Probe.”
Geely Beauty Leopard
Photo by: Geely
Naming a car after something positive or flattering is a risky move. If the car doesn’t live up to the name, you’ve got a problem. Case in point: the Geely Beauty Leopard. You might be disappointed by the lack of beauty here, but we’re more concerned about the fact that there’s barely any leopard going on. That’s the real crime.
Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard
Photo by: Isuzu
Japan will probably account for a good chunk of this list. For whatever reason, Japanese automakers have a knack for giving cars long, incredibly random names, and the Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard is a perfect example. The sad part? It wasn’t much of a utility wizard at all. It was essentially just a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo.
Lamborghini Revuelto
Photo by: Lamborghini
Yes, we know Lamborghini named this car after a fighting bull, as it has with so many of its models. But anyone who took Spanish in middle school, or speaks the language fluently, might have a different association with the name. “Revuelto” also means “scrambled” in Spanish, as in scrambled eggs. Suddenly, that exotic supercar name sounds a little less intimidating.
Mitsubishi Pajero
Photo by: Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Pajero is a legendary off-roader, but its name has a rather unfortunate meaning in Spanish. The word is a vulgar slang term, which is why Mitsubishi sold the SUV as the Montero in Spanish-speaking markets. It’s a shame, really, because the Pajero earned a reputation as a serious go-anywhere machine.
Peugeot Bipper Teepee
Photo by: Peugeot
The Peugeot Bipper Teepee represents an entire category of weird European van names. There’s also the Expert, Kangoo, Jumpy, and Trafic. We get that automakers need names for their vans, but it’s hard to imagine anyone getting particularly excited about driving something called a Bipper Teepee.
Renault LeCar
Photo by: Renault
We can’t say for sure that the Renault LeCar inspired Ferrari’s LaFerrari, but we also can’t rule out the possibility that someone in Maranello took a little inspiration from it. To be fair, LeCar was a pretty accurate name. It was, in fact, a car. Barely, but still.
Toyota Deliboy
Photo by: Toyota
Toyota really did sell a van called the Deliboy, which sounds less like a commercial vehicle and more like a superhero whose superpower is delivering sandwiches. The name is presumably a mashup of “delivery” and “boy,” but that doesn’t make it any less goofy. It’s hard to imagine a fleet manager proudly announcing that he’s adding a few more Deliboys to the company fleet.
Volkswagen Thing
Photo by: Volkswagen
Also known as the Kübelwagen in Germany, Volkswagen’s Thing is one of those names that makes you wonder if anyone bothered brainstorming alternatives. Was this really the best option for the US and other markets? Then again, “Thing” is a pretty good way to describe this oddball. So, you know what? Good on you, Volkswagen.
Anything we missed? Sound off in the comments below.
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