Asiimov
Could be, but then again... we don't exactly know what kind of engine is in "The Homer", it sticks out and has a fan at one end, but we don't see exactly how many cylinders it has.
This is true! However, the car was a parody of Edsel, so using that as a template, let's choose the nicest model of Edsel, the Citation. So a 1958 Citation featured Ford 410 cu in (6.7 L) MEL V8, but weighed about 4,300 lbs. It had some oomph, but was clunky. Would pick the Homer as far as safety and solidity though, looks like a finned tank.