The automotive industry is a vast universe, full of innovations, launches and incredible creations. But, just like any other market, it has also seen the emergence of some models that completely break the mold, with creative proposals, peculiar designs and even flaws that make them strange in the eyes of consumers. These cars have certainly made their mark on history, but not in a conventional way. Instead of being acclaimed for their beauty or efficiency, they were recognized for their eccentric and even bizarre features. In this article, we will explore 9 of the weirdest models of all time, which stood out for their originality (and, often, lack of functionality).
If you like cars and are always on the lookout for new products on the market, you've probably come across some of these models. Here, we'll tell you the stories of cars that made history, but for reasons very different from what you're used to seeing in car advertisements. Get ready for a tour of the most unusual creations in the automotive world.
1. Vanguard-Sebring CitiCar (1975)
O Vanguard-Sebring CitiCar was one of the first electric cars manufactured in the United States, but it stood out not only for its engine, but also for its eccentric design. Launched in 1975, it had a futuristic style, as if it had come out of a cartoon or a video game. Its lines were rounded and simple, with a look very different from the conventional cars of the time.
The most curious thing of all was his maximum speed of only 40 km/h, which made this model almost inoperable on the busiest roads. However, the Vanguard-Sebring CitiCar went down in history as one of the first cars to bet on electric mobility and was recorded as one of the strangest vehicles of all time. The peculiar design, combined with the low performance, guaranteed its place on this list of strange cars.
2. Siamese Twins – Lada Super Wide (1970)
Now, imagine a car with two engines, two steering wheels and even two handbrakes. Does it sound crazy? Well, that's exactly what two English friends, Frank Jessop and Neville Holmes, managed to create in 1970. The Lada Super Wide It was a kind of “Siamese twin on wheels”, a unique car in the world that had characteristics that were so unusual that they became its main trademark.
In addition to having an exaggeratedly wide design and an unconventional appearance, the Lada Super Wide was made even stranger by the fact that it had two control systems, which was absolutely unnecessary and made the vehicle very difficult to drive. This model is considered one of the most daring and eccentric attempts of innovation in the design of strange cars.
3. Picasso's Citroën (1983)
O Citroën 2CV is a classic car that has had several versions over the years. However, one of the most strange and unusual was the modified version by Andy Saunders, a mechanic who became famous for his radical customizations. In 1983, he transformed a Citroën 2CV into a model that looked more like a artwork by Pablo Picasso than with a conventional car.
With vibrant colors and a cubist design, the idea was to mix Picasso's style with the idea of a functional automobile. The car had primary colors, typical of Picasso's works, and was somewhat disconcerting to the eyes of consumers, but without a doubt, it was one of the most artistic and different ever created. A true example of how a car can be transformed into a work of art on wheels.
4. Reliant Robin (1973)
O Reliant Robin is famous for being one of the most strange and funny already manufactured. With only three wheels, this model was developed to be classified as a motorcycle, which allowed drivers to drive the vehicle with a motorcycle license. Launched in 1973, the Reliant Robin became a true cultural icon in the United Kingdom, especially after its appearance in TV shows, such as the famous British sitcom Mr. Bean.
The Robin's design was simple, but the fact that it only had one rear wheel and two front wheels made the car highly unstable. This was reflected in its poor performance and high rollover rate. However, despite all the technical problems, the Reliant Robin won a legion of fans and is considered one of the most strangest and most beloved of automotive history.
5. Isetta (1950)
Known as the “bubble car”, O Isetta was launched by the Italian factory Iso Spa in 1950. Its peculiar design, with only a front door, made it stand out from other vehicles of the time. The Isetta was a three-wheeled microcar, with a rounded shape that resembled a bubble. It was extremely compact, with only 2.29 meters long, which made him a true mini car.
Designed to be an affordable and economical option during the post-war period, the Isetta had a small engine and was ideal for urban traffic. Production ended in 1956, but the model remains a legend of micro cars. The Isetta is, without a doubt, one of the cars strangers and loved ones by collectors to this day.
6. Honda P-NUT (2009)
Released on 2009, O Honda P-NUT It was a compact, futuristic model with a design proposal that aimed to optimize passenger space. Its look was so innovative that it seemed to have come out of a science fiction film. The P-NUT accommodated three people and the driver sat in a central position, as if he were piloting a spaceship.
Although the model was quite exotic and futuristic, Honda was unable to place this project on the market, mainly due to its lack of appeal to the public and its excessively experimental. But if there's one thing that can be said about the Honda P-NUT, it's that it was definitely one of the weirdest cars peculiar of his time.
7. Corbin Sparrow (1993)
O Corbin Sparrow was another car that deserved its place among the strangest, especially for its configuration three wheels and the proposal of being a compact urban vehicle. Launched in 1993, the Sparrow had capacity for only three passengers and was designed to be a more ecological alternative to conventional cars.
However, the model ended up not being very successful due to mechanical failures and lack of demand. Its production was terminated in 2002, but the Corbin Sparrow remains in memory as one of the weird and unique cars already created.
8. Lancia Stratos HF (1970)
O Lancia Stratos HF is an Italian sports car that stood out for its angular shape and futuristic design. Released on 1970, the Stratos was a rally car with impressive aerodynamics, but what really made it strange was its unconventional design, which did not follow the standards of sports cars of the time.
This model has become a rally racing icon, but the fact that it had no doors and only had to be accessed through the windshield made it considered one of the strangest cars unusual and eccentric of the automotive world.
9. Fiat Multipla (1998)
O Fiat Multipla is often considered one of the most ugly and strange already produced. Released in 1998, this Italian model had a design full of curves and lines that defied aesthetic conventions. In addition, the Multipla was one of the first cars to offer capacity for six people, with two front seats and a split rear seat.
The peculiar shape, added to the windshield with strange design, caused the Fiat Multipla was nicknamed the “psychotic duck” and was criticized for its aesthetics. However, the Multipla managed to attract attention for its utility and innovation in the distribution of internal space.
These models are just a sample of how diverse and peculiar cars can be. Although most of these vehicles did not become commercial successes, they left their mark on automotive history in a unique way. The automobile market is always looking for innovation, and although many of these models were classified as cars strangers, they represent the courage of brands to push the boundaries of design and functionality. Who knows, maybe one day these cars will become the most valued collectibles on the market, as is the case with rare and eccentric models.
Keep an eye out for upcoming innovations and, who knows, one day you might come across a new model that surprises everyone and adds to this list of strange cars!