World's Ugliest Car Shows Its Face

What was supposed to be the world's safest car instead became known as the ugliest. Named the Aurora by the eccentric New York priest who designed her, it was almost 20 feet long and gleamed with black-and-silver fiberglass and foam.

Now the prototype of this gem--or monstrosity--of an automobile is being seen again following 12 years of restoration by its current owner.

According to an article in the Times of London, the Aurora actually incorporated many safety features now commonplace in cars. But they were revolutionary in 1957, when the single example of the Aurora was built: seatbelts, side-impact bars, collapsible steering column,vpadded instrument panel.

It also had a wrap-around foam bumper, and seats that rotated through 180 degrees so the occupants could turn around and brace themselves if they saw a collission about to happen.

The Aurora will be on display at the Beaulieu Motor Museum in New Forest, Hampshire, for the one year.

Be sure and read the full story here. Also, there's a great picture of the Aurora on the Complete Waste of Time blog.

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