07 Aug 06
We are now zeroing in on the twin high priests of the deranged car name. But just before we reach them, there are two more over-achieving minnows to pay our respects to first. First is Suzuki which, in addition to the aforementioned Van Van, also came up with the Alto Afternoon Tea and the priceless Every Joy Pop Turbo. Then there is Yamaha, which you may not have even realised made cars, let alone one called the Pantryboy Supreme.
This brings us neatly to Mazda and Mitsubishi, compared to which all others pale into insignificance. Who else but Mazda could start a car name with a word as promising as Autozam and end it with two as farcical as Carol MeLady? Who else could dream up the Bongo Brawny and Bongo Friendee twins? And just what kind of mind is it that thinks it's a good idea to call a car the Mazda Proceed Marvie Will Breeze?
The Mitsubishi Mum 500 Shall We Join Us
But the champion, or my champion at least, is Mitsubishi. From an original list of over 100 potential candidates for the silliest name ever to be given to a car or truck, just two remain that have neither been discarded in advance or mentioned here already. The first is the quite extraordinarily entitled Canter Guts light truck but nothing I've ever heard, or suspect will ever hear, can eclipse the unprecedented, unapproachably, impregnably silly Mitsubishi Mum 500 Shall We Join Us?
Vote for your favourite silly car name in our poll.
If you know of any other silly car names we've missed, drop us a line at contact4car@channel4.com or post your suggestion in the forum.
