Buzz
Over a billion cars are on the roads around the globe today, and they are recognized as the world’s most recycled consumer item. Amidst the sea of mundane four-wheeled vehicles, mainly designed to ferry weary office workers, it’s easy to overlook their unique qualities. Yet, there have been numerous extraordinary and eccentric cars, both past and present, that are sure to captivate anyone’s attention.
10. Reliant Robin
The Reliant Motor Company, established in 1935 in Tamworth, England, initially focused on manufacturing three-wheeled vehicles. In the UK, these three-wheeled cars are categorized as motorcycles, making them less expensive to register and insure. However, as with many cost-effective options, there is a downside. The main issue with the Reliant Robin is its tendency to overturn. Much like the childhood memories of falling off a tricycle and scraping a knee, the Robin's mishaps are far more dangerous.
Although it may not have the most glamorous reputation, the Reliant Robin gained some fame, notably being featured on BBC’s Top Gear. Jeremy Clarkson famously flipped the car numerous times before finally giving up on it altogether.
Despite its notorious image, the Reliant Robin holds the title of statistically being the safest car in the United Kingdom. Only 0.9% of these vehicles are reported as involved in accidents. This low rate is likely because Robin owners tend to drive with extreme caution, always careful to avoid flipping the car from the slightest wheel turn.
9. Morgan Three-Wheeler
Here’s another British three-wheeled vehicle, notable not for its tendency to flip, but for its distinct charm and individuality.
Morgan is a family-owned car manufacturer based in Malvern, England, established in 1909. The company has been producing three-wheelers since its inception, and when you look at their modern interpretation of this classic design, it’s tough to spot any noticeable changes. Despite its retro appearance, the modern three-wheeler is built with craftsmanship that even small luxury car makers have long since abandoned, offering 40,000 colors for the paint and 50 different leather finishes.
The three-wheeler features a unique ‘bomb-release’ starter button and airplane-style instrument gauges. One of the most intriguing elements of Morgan cars is their use of ash wood in the frame, a departure from traditional metal. This not only lightens the car but also enhances the driving experience.
For those who feel the car isn’t quite vintage enough, there’s an optional upgrade: instead of traditional paint, you can have the hand-crafted aluminum body polished to a mirror shine.
8. Stout Scarab
The minivan is often considered one of the most mundane and uninspiring vehicles on the road today, merely a means of transporting children from one place to another. However, it wasn't always that way. The Stout Scarab, introduced in 1936, set out to revolutionize the concept of the minivan, though no one followed its bold vision.
William Bushnell Stout, an American aircraft engineer, had been part of the automotive scene since 1907 when he served as the chief engineer at Chicago’s Schumeir Motor Truck Company. After a series of roles in the automotive industry, he founded the Stout Metal Airplane Company in 1923, which he later sold to Henry Ford in 1925.
In 1935, Stout began promoting his innovative vehicle, the Scarab, which combined airplane-inspired design and construction. The Scarab was groundbreaking not just as the first minivan, but also for its highly adaptable interior. Its rear seats could be rearranged around a central table, and with features like ambient lighting and thermostatic heating, it transformed into a rolling living room.
In addition to its notable features, the Scarab was equipped with powered door locks, a lightweight fiberglass body, and recessed windows and handles that helped improve its aerodynamics. Despite its impressive design, the Scarab came with a steep price tag, starting at $5,000 in 1934 (equivalent to $90,000 today). Because of this, it’s believed that only nine Scarabs were produced between 1934 and 1939.
7. Aston Martin Lagonda
There’s no denying the status of England’s top sports car maker. Over the past century, Aston Martin has created numerous exquisite and breathtaking automobiles. The Lagonda, while truly remarkable, didn’t necessarily fit the mold of traditional beauty. The first feature that stands out is its bold and controversial design, but its true worth is found in the innovation within.
Though electronic components in cars are a common sight today, the Lagonda was a pioneer, being the first to feature a digital LED touch-sensitive dashboard all the way back in 1976. During a time when leaded gasoline was still being phased out, creating digital dashboards was no small feat. The Lagonda faced several redesigns before finally incorporating fluorescent vacuum tubes for its cutting-edge display.
The Lagonda's journey continued until 1990, with significant advancements, including the addition of recorded voice commands in 1984. These commands were programmable in multiple languages—English, German, French, and Arabic. The inclusion of Arabic was a strategic move, as the Lagonda found strong demand in the Middle East.
6. Dodge Viper RT/10
The Viper was envisioned as a modern-day Shelby Cobra, one of the most iconic muscle cars in history. The new model was designed to embody the same raw, unrefined spirit as the Cobra, serving as a stark contrast to the increasingly complex and over-engineered cars of the era. Its design remains one of the most outstanding examples of a concept brought to life. When it debuted as a concept car at the 1989 Detroit Auto Show, it created such a stir that it went into production with minimal changes, preserving its original design and principles.
The 1992 production version became legendary for its unadorned simplicity. For $50,000, buyers received a powerful engine, a sleek body, and little else. Features like air conditioning were initially omitted, and it didn’t even come with a permanent roof. Exterior door handles and side windows were also left out. Despite the fact that it had plastic side windows reminiscent of a tent and side exhausts that could burn your legs when you got out, the Viper remains one of the most beloved yet unusual cars in the world.
5. Citroen DS
Citroen has consistently been a pioneer in automotive innovation. The brand's latest notable achievement is the Cactus, a compact SUV equipped with deformable body panels on its bumpers and sides, which help prevent fender benders and parking lot scratches. One of Citroen’s most iconic cars is the 2CV, famous for its resemblance to a duck and its role in revitalizing France after World War II.
Introduced in 1955, Citroen’s DS featured an incredibly smooth suspension system, often compared to the sensation of riding on a magic carpet. This groundbreaking technology replaced traditional springs and gas-filled shock absorbers with a unique blend of hydraulics and pneumatics, allowing the car’s height to be adjusted and its level maintained for optimal comfort. The DS became a French national treasure in 1962 when its advanced system is believed to have saved the life of President Charles de Gaulle.
During a drive to Orly airport through the Parisian suburbs, assassins ambushed President de Gaulle’s DS, shooting at the vehicle and puncturing all four tires. Despite this, the car’s complex suspension system adjusted, enabling the vehicle to maintain its speed and escape the attackers.
Grateful for the DS’s life-saving capabilities, President de Gaulle continued to champion the car throughout his public life. Even when offered a customized armor-plated version in 1968, he chose to keep the original model that had protected him, likely after replacing the tires.
Ferrari 250 GTO
Annually, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) presents an award to the manufacturer whose car demonstrates the best performance in races throughout the season. In the early years of this recognition, the FIA concentrated on sports prototypes. However, in 1962, it revised its rules to include only cars that were mass-produced for public consumption. To stay competitive, Ferrari had to create a new model and manufacture several units.
This led to the creation of the 250 GTO. Ferrari produced 36 of these cars, which was a significant number for a specialized racing model but a small figure compared to other vehicles. As a result, today the prices for these cars at auctions are remarkable. The record for the most expensive car ever sold at auction was set by a 250 GTO purchased in 2014 for just over $34 million.
For that price, you’re not just buying a car. Each GTO had slight differences. The aluminum body was hand-beaten over wooden molds, so each car was not a perfect replica of the others. Some were even subtly asymmetrical. Their powerful Italian engines varied as well. Though the goal was to reach 295 horsepower per unit, some engines exceeded that benchmark.
These cars were not just vehicles at the time; they were true masterpieces. So, if you happen to be extremely wealthy and are in need of a statement piece for your home, why not replace that original Picasso with one of these?
3. McLaren F1
In 1988, British car designer Gordon Murray set out to bring Formula One technology and futuristic materials together to craft the ultimate road car. With the support of McLaren team principal Ron Dennis, he turned this vision into reality.
When it debuted in 1993, the McLaren F1 set the bar as the world's priciest production car, costing an astounding $857,000. Only 64 units were produced. While its price has been surpassed many times since, it held the record for the fastest production car, reaching 391 kilometers (243 mi) per hour, for more than a decade, from 1993 to 2005.
That speed was merely a byproduct of the extraordinary engineering behind this legendary car. The F1 became the first production car constructed from carbon fiber. The leather inside was thinned to half its usual thickness to reduce weight, and the engine bay was coated in gold leaf, as gold is an excellent conductor of heat. Every aspect of this car, down to the thickness of the washers, was meticulously planned and re-planned. Its design was based entirely on hand-drawn blueprints, the stainless steel instrument dials sported hand-painted numbers, and every tachometer needle was machined by hand.
Even with its impressive performance and extreme attention to detail, the most captivating aspect of the F1 is its three-seat layout. The driver sits centrally positioned to enhance the driving experience.
2. Lamborghini Countach
The Lamborghini Countach was designed to leave a lasting impression. The name itself is an exclamation – 'countach' in the Piedmontese dialect expresses awe, much like saying 'wow' in English, though some interpret it with a more provocative undertone. Legend has it that car designer Bertone exclaimed this slang when he first saw Marcello Gandini's completed design. Ferruccio Lamborghini, the company owner, was so amused by the reaction that he chose it as the car's name.
The name proved to be well-earned. Even in 1974, when car designs were often extravagant, the Countach was a breathtaking sight. It introduced the cab-forward design, positioning the driver unusually far forward in the vehicle—a design choice that continues to influence supercars decades later.
But such a bold design did come with its own set of challenges. Taller individuals might find themselves unable to fit in the Countach, as the footwell is so tight that some drivers have to remove their shoes just to press the pedals.
Even prioritizing speed and thrills over comfort, the Countach remains a punishing car to drive. The interior is unbearably loud, visibility is limited, and the cabin becomes uncomfortably hot. Despite all this, the Countach didn’t care about comfort—it was meant to be a stunning visual statement. Even today, it stands out more than any other vehicle, and it’s thanks to the iconic scissor doors that open upwards.
1. Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Limousine
The Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Limousine, affectionately called the 'Grosser,' became synonymous with extravagant luxury, offering a ride to some of history’s most notorious figures: Saddam Hussein, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Nicolae Ceausescu, Idi Amin Dada, and Kim Jong-Il were all known to travel in this opulent vehicle.
What truly sets the Grosser apart, however, is its intricate hydraulic system. Pressurized at 3,200 psi, it powers nearly every function of the car, operating solely on mineral oil. Synthetic oils cause significant damage, leading to leakage from the doors, making the vehicle a leaky spectacle.
The immense pressure comes with its consequences. Since each window operates at a different speed, the fastest setting could break your arm if you're not cautious. However, it's a concern you'll probably never face. Just the driver’s side window switch alone costs $11,200 to replace, so you'll probably just keep the windows up.
