For me Porsche's dubious period was with the introduction of the 928 in the very late 70s

Not only a flawed model but hailed as the future and a replacement for Porsche's stalwart - the 911

To examine that strategy now seems laughable!

The 928 has very few classic followers years later and could have signed the end of Porsche is they hadn't seen the error of their ways.

I would also argue that their more recent diversion into utility vehicles and the like could also be seen as a strange one however the sales performance of these new models would counter my argument!

: Team:

: For an article that I am writing, I am needing some examples of
: "brands" that have either (a) had some good years and
: some bad years, and (b) brands that have been consistently
: strong over the decades.

: In the first category, I think of the Scheaffer pen and the Ford
: Mustang. They each produced some excellent products (1930s for
: the Schaeffers and 1960s for the Mustangs), followed by some bad
: years -- we saw some $2.00 Scheaffers in the 1980s and 1990s; we
: saw some absolutely awful Mustangs in the 1980s, for example.

: In the second category, it seems that some automotive brands have
: maintained excellence over the decades; same for some watch
: brands . . . but I am less interested in this phenomenon. More
: interested in the great to awful category, as described above
: for the Scheaffers and Mustangs.

: When was the last time that you saw what used to be a fine brand,
: and shed a tear that the name was now used for an awful product?
: Cars; pens; knives; guns; audio equipment; clothes; shoes . . .
: any other categories of products or collectibles?

: Thanks for any suggestions.

: Jeff