They’re compact, mostly cheap and often cute. Here are ten compact cars

December 1, 2012 12:00 am
Chevrolet VegaA subcompact rolled out during the fuel crisis of the '70s, the Chevrolet Vega rivaled the puny Ford Pinto and AMC Gremlin. It was a big seller back then, even though it's looked at as a relic today. Read Paul Knight's Prius feature: Wild Rides.
Chevrolet VegaA subcompact rolled out during the fuel crisis of the '70s, the Chevrolet Vega rivaled the puny Ford Pinto and AMC Gremlin. It was a big seller back then, even though it's looked at as a relic today. Read Paul Knight's Prius feature: Wild Rides.

They’re compact, mostly cheap and often cute. Here are ten compact cars that inspired a following, long before smug Prius drivers took to the streets.Published on April 21, 2009

AMC GremlinThe AMC Gremlin has Web sites and fan clubs dedicated to it -- this after a car was roundly ridiculed for its design when it debuted in 1970. But it was cheap and despite its name (Gremlin is defined as a small gnome held to be responsible for malfunction of equipment; not the best name for a car.), it was a popular model. Read Paul Knight's Prius feature: Wild Rides.

AMC GremlinThe AMC Gremlin has Web sites and fan clubs dedicated to it — this after a car was roundly ridiculed for its design when it debuted in 1970. But it was cheap and despite its name (Gremlin is defined as a small gnome held to be responsible for malfunction of equipment; not the best name for a car.), it was a popular model. Read Paul Knight’s Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Fiat RitmoThe Fiat Ritmo: More than 1.7 million of these quirky little rides were made between 1978 and 1988. This is the 1982 model of the Ritmo. Read Paul Knight's Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Fiat RitmoThe Fiat Ritmo: More than 1.7 million of these quirky little rides were made between 1978 and 1988. This is the 1982 model of the Ritmo. Read Paul Knight’s Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Ford CortinaThe Ford Cortina (this is the Mark IV, 1979-1982 model) was an extremely popular car here and in Britain, Its drivers were devoted as well, as it was one of the ten most driven cars in Britain up through 1992. Most of them had been scrapped by 2000. Read Paul Knight's Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Ford CortinaThe Ford Cortina (this is the Mark IV, 1979-1982 model) was an extremely popular car here and in Britain, Its drivers were devoted as well, as it was one of the ten most driven cars in Britain up through 1992. Most of them had been scrapped by 2000. Read Paul Knight’s Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Honda InsightThe modern hybrid predecessor to the Prius, the Honda Insight's design initially received some light jabs for its style. This from the New York Times: [Its style] suggested Popeye's pal, Olive Oyl, in her ankle-length dress. The rear fender skirts seemed frumpy. Read Paul Knight's Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Honda InsightThe modern hybrid predecessor to the Prius, the Honda Insight’s design initially received some light jabs for its style. This from the New York Times: [Its style] suggested Popeye’s pal, Olive Oyl, in her ankle-length dress. The rear fender skirts seemed frumpy. Read Paul Knight’s Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Smart CarWhat else should we expect from a car made by a company that makes watches? The Smart car -- a project started by Swiss watchmaker Swatch -- was started to make cars that be parked with their noses facing the curb. Read Paul Knight's Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Smart CarWhat else should we expect from a car made by a company that makes watches? The Smart car — a project started by Swiss watchmaker Swatch — was started to make cars that be parked with their noses facing the curb. Read Paul Knight’s Prius feature: Wild Rides.

DeLorean DMC-12The DeLorean DMC-12: Stainless steel finish, gull-wing doors and the car from Back to the Future. The short life of the DeLorean Motor Company ('75-'82) has only made these cars more sought-after among collectors. Read Paul Knight's Prius feature: Wild Rides.

DeLorean DMC-12The DeLorean DMC-12: Stainless steel finish, gull-wing doors and the car from Back to the Future. The short life of the DeLorean Motor Company (’75-’82) has only made these cars more sought-after among collectors. Read Paul Knight’s Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Volkswagen New BeetlePerhaps the biggest cult car of them all, the Volkswagen Beetle. It went from being known as the People's Car to a hip favorite after the introduction of the New Beetle in 1994. After its debut to U.S. buyers in 1998, new generations of drivers have been strangely in love with this bubble of a car. Read Paul Knight's Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Volkswagen New BeetlePerhaps the biggest cult car of them all, the Volkswagen Beetle. It went from being known as the People’s Car to a hip favorite after the introduction of the New Beetle in 1994. After its debut to U.S. buyers in 1998, new generations of drivers have been strangely in love with this bubble of a car. Read Paul Knight’s Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Yugo 45The Yugoslavian-born Yugo 45 was introduced to U.S. buyers in 1984, with a wave of publicity that touted the car's ten-year/100,000 mile warranty. A 1987 Consumer Reports review of the car concluded that buyers would be better off buying a good used car than a new Yugo. Still, it retains popularity with U.S. owners, who collect the cars. Read Paul Knight's Prius feature: Wild Rides.

Yugo 45The Yugoslavian-born Yugo 45 was introduced to U.S. buyers in 1984, with a wave of publicity that touted the car’s ten-year/100,000 mile warranty. A 1987 Consumer Reports review of the car concluded that buyers would be better off buying a good used car than a new Yugo. Still, it retains popularity with U.S. owners, who collect the cars. Read Paul Knight’s Prius feature: Wild Rides.