56 of the Worst Cars of All Time

34. 1980 Corvette 305 “California”

Thanks to the strict federal emissions requirements of the 70’s, many of the gas guzzling muscle cars we all love from the 60’s ended up as underpowered shadows of their former selves in the 70’s and 80’s. Of the cars depowered in this way, the Corvette was hit hardest, even worse was the “California” edition. Due to even stricter standards in California, the Corvette ended up with a weak V-8 motor that put out 180 horsepower and a power-draining three-speed automatic transmission. This was a Corvette in name only, the essence was stripped out of it and it’s dead husk was sold to the public. Thankfully as technology advanced we found ways to make the Corvette comply with emissions regulations and be the powerhouse we love.