1955 Pontiac Thunderturd – Barn-Find Bravado

Behold the mythical 1955 Pontiac Thunderturd—GM’s most misunderstood mistake. Built for exactly one week in June ’55 before being recalled for causing spontaneous nausea in showroom visitors, the Thunderturd was the result of a bet between two Pontiac engineers and a bottle of rye whiskey.

 

Powered by a 267-cubic-inch V8 that made “noises resembling horsepower,” the Thunderturd was mated to a 2-speed “Slush-O-Matic” transmission that seemed to always choose the wrong gear—but with confidence. The exterior, finished in “Industrial Beige” with patches of “Rust Patina Deluxe,” turns heads and stomachs alike.

 

Interior highlights include genuine vinylette seats (matching the feel of damp cardboard), an AM radio stuck on polka, and a dashboard that gently hums when offended.

 

Only 4 were made. 7 were recalled. This one escaped.

 

Perfect for collectors of oddities, cursed objects, or anyone who’s been told they have “too much taste.”