The entries are in, and our latest WTF? caption contest is over. Thanks to all who mercilessly mocked the Gurgel BR-800, a car that put the "mini" in "ignominious," and marked the end of a homegrown Brazilian car manufacturer.
We don't know if it has anything to do with the demise of the Pontiac brand or if the cars just look that similar, but the Pontiac Aztek was clearly the inspiration behind many entries. Our winner, Doug S., submitted the caption, "When I grow up, I want to be a Pontiac Aztek." Another reader was inspired by Rick Moranis and added, "Honey, I shrunk the Aztek." We must point out a clear difference between the two vehicles: Whereas the Aztek was made up of 30 percent body cladding, the entire Gurgel was made from plastic.
The only winning entrant who left an E-mail address was HectorHawk, who asked if the Gurgel floats. We'd have to ask David Letterman for a definitive answer on that, but we suggest not taking a car named "Gurgel" near any large bodies of water.
Other entries poked fun at the Gurgel's resemblance to a household appliance ("Does the laundry go in the front or is it a side loader?") or its dimesions and angles ("Look at the box my Smart Car came in!").
Sadly, the BR-800 could have been an early alt-fuel contender if it ever got the chance. Dr. Joao do Amaral Gurgel, the creator of this supermini, was fascinated by electric cars. From the beginning, the BR-800 was to be a battery-electric vehicle adapted for urban transportation, but he was never able to create a cost-effective drivetrain. By 1995, the company was bankrupt -- just another eerie similarity with the poor Aztek.
Congratulations to our winner, thanks for all the entries, and stay tuned for our next caption contest!
Photo: Wikipedia / Frenz 69
