We're going international again for this editon of the Autopia WTF? Photo Caption Contest because we found a pic of this squat green machine from Ipanema in Rio.
Brazil effectively banned imported cars from 1974 to 1990 in an effort to stimulate domestic auto production. The good news is the Brazilian auto industry boomed. The bad news it it occasionally churned out schlock like the Gurgel BR-800, a car that looks almost as bad as the name sounds. Even GM would have a hard time building something this ugly. Not that it hasn't tried, mind you.
Gurgel Veículos, named for its enterprising founder Dr. João do Amaral Gurgel, survived for many years repurposing Volkswagen designs for all-terrain use and showing off the occasional electric vehicle. The Gurgel BR-800 was the company's penultimate creation before folding in the early 1990s along with the country's protectionist trade barriers.
Just 4,000 Gurgel BR-800s were built, and few remain on the road. We're counting on you to mercilessly mock this surviving example.
We suspect that after viewing the above photo, the jokes will practically write themselves. In case you need some more inspiration, consider the car's specs: Two cylinders, 0.8 liters, five passengers and a "Plasteel" construction made of -- you guessed it -- plastic and steel. We're surprised Chrysler hasn't cribbed the design.
Amazingly, the true death knell for the BR-800 came when the Brazilian government allowed Lada to import the Niva SUV. Even with an 85% import tax on the Soviet jeepster, Brazilians flocked to it. It was a hot commoditiy compared to what Gurgel had to offer.
Regular readers know the rules, but we'll repeat 'em foor the n00bs. Use the Reddit widget to write a caption and vote for your fave. The winner gets a prize pulled from the Autopia Prize Closet - provided you include an email address. No email address, no prize.
Still unclear on the concept? Check out the Autopia WTF? Chrysler KGB Edition, Autopia WTF? Art Car and Autopia WTF? Detroit Auto Show photo caption contests and all will become clear.
Photo: Wikipedia / Frenz 69
While you can submit as many captions as you want, you can only submit one every 30 minutes. No HTML allowed.
