The worst vehicles get their big appearance at the Concours d'Lemons. | News

His car may “someday” be able to accelerate from 0 to 100, the engine is “fucked” according to the mechanic and its color unfortunately resembles that of excrement too much, but it allowed Robert Peterson of Salinas to emerge as a Car Week award winner.

However, it is questionable whether it is an award to be proud of.

Peterson received the “Sight for Sour Eyes” award for his 1998 Chevrolet Metro at the Concours d'Lemons on the lawn in front of Seaside City Hall on Saturday, August 17.

He said he likes to buy cars at auctions “without even looking at them.” Peterson bought the 55-horsepower (at least when it was new) two-door hatchback Metro about six months ago.

Speaking to Alan Galbraith, the “head poet” of the Concours d'Lemons, as he accepted the award, Peterson said that the Metro was nicknamed the “Poopmobile.”

“My daughter said it looked like a pile of shit,” he said. “She said, 'Daddy, please don't drive me to school in the poopmobile.' The name somehow stuck.”

Concours d'Lemons, presented by Hagerty and other sponsors, is an annual, lighthearted event held during Car Week that celebrates the oddballs and rusty of the automotive world. Saturday's display included Edsels, a pair of Pontiac Azteks and plenty of Volkswagens, among many other vehicles.

Among the many awards was Worst of Show, which went to a 1975 Lincoln Continental nicknamed “Buttercup” owned by Chris Overzet of Brentwood. It is covered in fur and has a stuffed horse on the roof and a saddle to sit on. The award winners received various gifts from the dollar store, including portable fire extinguishers.