When we were thinking about doing this, we were wondering if we should stick to names that have funny translations, or ones that sound a bit like our language. And we said, "Let's do both."
So, we came up with a list, at the top of which are names of cars that would probably make their owners in Greece uncomfortable, if they existed. For each car, think what it would be like if you were asked "what car do you have" and you answered with the translated name...
18)Ferrari Testarossa
The exact translation of the name of this Ferrari is "Redhead". The name was obviously given for the red caps on its V12, but when you think about it... redhead.
Highlight: The blonde passenger's question: "What does Testarossa mean?"
17)Lamborghini Diablo
Yes, in our language, the weirdest thing is Countach, which sounds a bit like a cough, but, even if you have a tradition of naming your models after bulls, it's weird to name the devil.
Highlight: Go ahead and be religious and want it so badly. You'll burn in hell, sinner.
16)Dodge Charger Hellcat
Damn cats, they don't respect anything
I'm sorry, but we can't hold on: Charger Hellcat. That's the translation we do if you like it.
Highlight: The awkward moment when you realize that this is more than just a cat.
15)Mitsubishi Mini Active Urban Sandal
A lady in boots, next to a car called Sandali
Okay, the Japanese finished it. Really, the reason to name your concept the Small, Active, Urban Sandal is an anomaly. Really now, they named a car "Sandal".
Highlight: The inspirational people decided to give it the nickname MAUS, to refer to a mouse. They must have been tempted by the sushi.
14)Gaylord Gladiator
As if the Gaylord Gladiator was upset about his name
The Gaylord brothers are not to blame for their last name. But, didn't they think it would be better to give another name to the V8 they unveiled at the 1955 Paris Motor Show? Because, as it turned out, nobody wanted a Gaylord Gladiator (what, you want that translated too?).
13)VW Thing
There was a movie before with the same name: "The Thing".
12)Honda That's
The name of this Honda seems like an incomplete phrase: "But that's it"...
11)Fiat Palio
The Palio is now obsolete
Unfortunate for Greece, Fiat's inspiration put you in the awkward position of answering whether your new Fiat is old.
Highlight: "I have a Fiat Old. New. Old."
10)Pontiac Aztec
FOR GOD'S Sake: It's like he's shouting "KILL ME!"
Okay, it's not that weird, unless we're talking about an Aztec Pontius.
Highlight: The Pontian who drove around in his Pontiac telling Pontian jokes.
9)Opel calibra
Mythical car
Nice name, nice car, but it reminds you of the calimba the handyman put on that wrecked car.
Highlight: "I crashed the Calibra." "And what did you do?" "I put her in a calibra." "What?" "The Calimbra."
8)Nissan Cherry
A cherry from Japan. It also came in a Datsun.
Highlight: The cherry was actually a lemon.
7)Ford Escort
Another mythical car
The Ford that sold well in Greece is Escort. Or is it Escort?
Highlight: When you google for used Escorts and end up on the pink pages of escort ladies. And you're trying to convince your wife that you were actually looking for a car when you wrote
6)Isuzu Bighorn
You don't call it a bad thing.
The Japanese have built a car. And they thought, "Let's call it the Big Horn."
Highlight: The awkward moment when the owner learns that his wife is cheating on him. And he remembers when she insisted, "Honey, this is for you."
5)AMC Javelin
It does feel like a javelin, compared to the other american muscle
And the Americans thought of naming one of their models the Javelin.
Highlight: Somewhere, once, someone described a car accident in which a spear was stuck in another car. For "other car," put number one on our list.
4)Daihatsu Scat
And now the good stuff begins: One of the best names for Greece is Scat.
Highlight: If you get this car, a must-have accessory are the Asics, Sakurada shoes.
3) Marcos Mantara
As if Marcus was sleepy
And Marcos and Mandara. Alternatively, they could say, Mitsos (pissed) Thalassa.
Highlight: The moment when you thought "I'm saving up to buy Marco Mandara".
2) Seat Malaga
MALAGA. It is and boasts it.
Yes, the Spaniards liked to name cars after toponyms of their country, but what if the toponym coincided with the most common Greek word?
Highlight: You hit it on the road and you can't help yourself: "Where are you going, Malaga?"
1) Tatra 813 Kolos
The KOLOS 8X8. The origin of its name is Greek. From Kolossos. Didn't they ask before they cut it off?
Last and best, dedicated to the professional and the military: Until 1992, Czechoslovakia produced the beastly Tatra 813 truck. Its top version was the 8X8 KOLOS. Yes, the guys thought that because it had a 100-ton towing capacity, they should give it the (Greek) name Colossus. And, for short, make it KOLOS.
Highlight: The epic moment of watching the military parade on state television and the presenter describing that "now the huge KOLOS, our pride, is passing in front of us". Or, the awkward moment when you see one on the street and you shout: "Oh, KOLOS!"
