10 of history’s worst facelifted cars

When car designers get it wrong

Mid-life facelifts are used to breathe fresh life into ageing models.

And whilst many facelifts succeed in modernising aged cars by adding a flick of chrome or cropping a few flabby arches, some don't quite do the job.

From oversized bumpers to excessive vinyl, we count 10 of the worst facelifts bestowed upon unfortunate cars…

Volkswagen 1600

The 1500’s delicate bumpers and lamps were replaced by items of sheer crass brutalism in the ’69 facelift. Surely VW could have done better?

Fiat 124 ‘CC’ coupé

Glassy and delicate, the original ‘AC’ coupé of 1967 arguably gained with the 1969 move to twin headlamps. But the ’73 facelift was a horror.

Allegro 3/Maxi 2

These two dumplings needed all the help that they could get, notably in later years.

Adding black-painted girders and plastic wheeltrims – along with gormless new grilles – was never going to win hearts.

Rubber-bumper MGs

The black urethane growths introduced in ’74 (and hiding a hefty steel armature) complied with US laws, but ruined the B and Midget’s looks.

Alfa Romeo 90

The 1972 Alfa Romeo Alfetta was pertly inoffensive, if later marred by over-large bumpers.

Bertone’s 1984 revamp was a nondescript brick with fiddly detailing.

Standard Vanguard PII

The Phase I got away with its short wheelbase thanks to its fastback rear; this mundane makeover misunderstood aesthetics and proportion.

Citroën CX and GSA

Plastic bumpers spoilt Opron’s carefully detailed CX and GS.

“That was Peugeot,” he said, “they didn’t understand a thing. Their shape just doesn’t work.”

Jaguar XJ6 SIII

Clean but bland, Pininfarina’s rehash of the XJ lost all the muscle of the Lyons-directed original, already compromised by the high-bumper SII rejig.

Rover P6

David Bache’s sculpted P6 deserved better than its 1970 tart-up, with eggcrate grille, slatherings of matt-black, plus pointless chrome and vinyl bits.

Lancia Trevi

Effortless winner of the ‘Worst Ever Facelift’ trophy is this three-box bastardisation of the Beta, with hideous slatted infill panel behind the rear doors.