well, Johnjohn, re: So the modern day equivalent expression would be "that's a real humvie"?, we still use an the word edsel to describe something that is a total flop.. i don't think i could identify an edsel if you showed me a line up of 1957-58 cars.. but i know is some thing is an edsel, its a flop!

car terms are a real part of US slang, aussie slang too, and lots of countries as well!