25 weirdest cars

For people with a modest salary, a car is just a vehicle, not a work of art. However, over the long history of the automotive industry, more than a dozen bizarre and mind-blowingly impractical engineering fantasies have been embodied on the conveyor belt, inspired by airplanes, submarines and films about the secret agent James Bond.

Many cars remained design concepts that did not even make it to prototypes, let alone to the mass consumer. Nevertheless, even the most unrealistic and little-demanded designs served as the basis for the cars of the next generations. Familiar elements such as a rear view camera, convertible top and electric motor appeared in designer models long before mass production was introduced.

Below we present to you a list of 25 of the most bizarre wheelbarrows ever invented by mankind.

1. Messerschmitt KR200

Famous aeronautical engineer Fritz Fend developed this striking and efficient design. The fancy motorized carriage was produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt in the 50s and 60s of the last century. It was remembered for its cloudy shape, with only 3 wheels and a steering wheel like a bicycle instead of the usual steering wheel.

2. Stout Scarab

Before the Honda Odysseys and Kia Sedonas took over the minivan market, the Tough Scarab was already buzzing. A pioneering development by William B. Stout in the 1930s, it became the world's first high-capacity single-volume vehicle. With a host of innovations such as a folding table and removable seats, Scarab has opened up a new niche in the automotive industry.

3. Oeuf Electrique

Paul Arzan was a prominent French locomotive design engineer. Once passionate about developing cars, he became the father of many fancy cars such as the Oeuf Electrique (which translates to "electric egg"). Miniature, like a clockwork, Oeuf Electrique was one of the first experiments in the development of electric vehicles and boasted a motor that could reach speeds of 70 to 100 km / h.

4.GM Le Saber

From its very first show in 1951, General Motors' Le Saber began to conquer auto shows throughout the United States with its eye-catching designs, incorporating aircraft-specific elements such as tail fins that soon became a staple of 1950s cars. Concept lead developer Harley Earl was so enamored with his brainchild that the Le Saber became his personal car for many years. While the model remained a prototype, it helped introduce some notable design features such as the V8 8-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive.

5.1929 Ford Model A Speedster

Even if you remember that this car could accelerate to a maximum of 96 km / h, the Ford Model A was still a technical miracle of its era. Thanks to the Speedster, we saw elegant cars with a long hood, 3-speed manual transmission, luxurious plush seats and an open convertible top. And while the design was completely impractical, Henry Ford's company created a style icon that the famous designer himself was not averse to riding with the breeze.

6.1956 Buick Centurion

Even today, a rearview camera seems like a luxury for most cars, although it is planned to be introduced as standard by 2018. However, most people don't know that the first rear-view cameras appeared back in 1956, when the designers of the Buick company decided to install them on the Centurion model. So they complemented the image of the car of the future, created with the help of a completely transparent dome-shaped roof. Today, fans of the American auto industry can see the Centurion live at the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan.

7.1936 Bugatti Type 57S

Italian masters Ettore and Jean Buggati, father and son, have always been famous for the sophistication of their work. In an effort to take the concept of luxury cars to the next level, they created a series of perhaps the most elegant and coveted cars of their era. The Type 57S is the embodiment of every whim, from a 3.3-liter engine that can reach speeds of up to 150 km / h, to a front axle divided into two independent segments.

8. Sunswift eVe

There is no doubt that the future belongs to electric and self-driving cars. The most promising direction in the development of cars of the future is solar-powered cars. And the undoubted leader here is the Sunswift team, founded by students at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Young engineers have already created a series of 5 high-tech cars for solar-powered racing. Their most recent development is the Sunswift eVe, equipped with solar panels on the roof and bumpers and having the shape of a real sports car, and its battery is enough to drive a full 600 km.

9. Popemobile

One of the recognizable attributes of the Pope is his vehicle, affectionately referred to as the Popemobile. This car has gone through many improvements and modifications to remain discreet and safe. So the bulletproof dome made of organic glass appeared relatively recently, after the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II. Renowned companies such as Ford, FIAT Group and Leyland Motors have created dozens of models at various times to meet the Pope's transportation needs. Pope Benedict XVI preferred the Mercedes-Benz M-Class with a glass dome behind. But the current Pope Francis often drives a modest 1984 Renault 4.

10. BMW Isetta

Released in 1953, this model ushered in the microcar era in the post-war years in Europe. The most recognizable design element (which at the same time raised doubts about safety) is the only front door directly to which the steering wheel is fixed. Thus, in case of danger, the sunroof remained the only way out for the passenger and the driver. Nevertheless, the Isetta quickly gained international recognition for its economy and reliability and helped to save the financial position of the BMW Group.

11.2001 BMW GINA Concept

BMW GINA is a concept of the perfect car - it is insanely ambitious and perfect to the smallest detail. Its body is wrapped in translucent elastic fiber, engineered to withstand extreme temperatures while maintaining its shape. Under the cover there is a body that can change its shape at the request of the driver. The name of this model is an abbreviation for Geometry and functions In ‘N’ Adaptations. "Adaptable form and functionality."

12.1947 Norman Timbs Special

As the name suggests, the Norman Timbs Special was the brainchild of the only talented mechanic and engineer, Norman Timbs, who became interested in developing a car for the Indy Racing series. The design is built around the idea of a wave-like movement: so admiring glances slide along the Special like on a winding roller coaster. However, the fancy aluminum body cannot detract from the technical merits of this elegant car - the Buick Straight-8 engine allows the 1947 model to reach speeds of up to 200 km / h.

13.1953 General Motors Firebird I

Many car manufacturers look to the aircraft industry for inspiration, but the Firebird I took that aspiration to the absolute. The look of this car bewilders others: is it awesome or ridiculous? After all, the "Flame Bird" really looks more like a child's fantasy than a serious attempt at innovations in the automotive industry, because in fact it is an airplane without wings, but with wheels. Ironically, even though impractical, the Firebird I helped bring gas turbine cars into production, paving the way for later and more successful cars in the series.

14.1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt

Although this model never made it to mass production, the 1941 Thunderbolt brought several significant design cues to the automotive industry.So Chrysler engineers decided to completely hide the wheels under an aerodynamic aluminum body, and a retractable roof and push-button system for opening windows and doors anticipated innovations for decades to come. Only luxurious leather chairs could complement the image of a revolutionary car.

15.1959 Cadillac Cyclone

From the shiny metal body, you can easily guess that the 1959 Cyclone was born in the era of space exploration, but this innovative idea did not stop there. So a number of technical innovations were aimed at improving safety: special radars installed in conical protrusions on the front bumper were supposed to prevent collisions. In addition, like many cars of its era, the Cyclone had a recognizable feature: a removable bubble roof.

16.1955 Chrysler Streamline X

It should be admitted that the Streamline X was purely a showpiece designed as an engineering exercise for the 1955 Turin Motor Show. The ideally streamlined shape, which became the basis for the design of many cars in subsequent years, was the result of numerous aerodynamic tests, and the unique style of this car consisted not only in external futurism, but also in real power: Streamline X confidently developed a speed of up to 225 km / h.

17.1935 Voisin Aerodyne

Before gaining fame as a manufacturer of luxury cars, the French plant Avions Voisin specialized in the production of aircraft parts; it is easy to read in the abundance of levers, buttons, indicators and dials located on the control panel in the Voisin Aerodyne cockpit. From a practical point of view, however, the car was not so outstanding, mainly due to the unreliable braking system and the top speed of 130 km / h. However, the extravagant design made it one of the most luxurious cars of the era.

18. DeLorean DMC-12

Sad fact: John DeLorean Motor's company produced only one car in its tragically short history, but this particular model was destined to become a cultural icon. You probably recognized this car, because this is the same DeLorean that took the heroes of Back to the Future. Alas, even the unusual doors that opened like gull wings and the exceptionally cool metallic appearance did not help save the DeLorean company from collapse. The company's reputation collapsed along with its share price when the top manager himself was charged with selling a large consignment of drugs.

19.1970 Lancis Stratos HF Zero

Some cars are first of all an example of art, and only then a technical device. Created with the assistance of renowned Italian automotive designer Marcello Gandini, the Lancis Stratos HF Zero features a wide windshield that blends seamlessly into the transparent roof. Another notable design decision - the case is set so low that it almost scratches the ground.

20. The Devel 16

Those who see Devel 16 for the first time find it hard to believe that this is not a fake fantasy film. The manufacturer raised doubts when it announced at a presentation at the Dubai Motor Show in 2013 that the car has a capacity of 5,000 horsepower and develops a speed of up to 560 km / h. The miracle car has yet to undergo independent tests, and if it turns out that the main page on the site dedicated to Devel 16 is not lying, then the model will undoubtedly be the most powerful sports car of our time.

21. Porsche 918 Spyder

In 2010, Porsche shocked the electric and hybrid car market with its 918 Spyder, a luxury sports car that combines grace and drive. In motion, this porsche is like a silver bullet. Inside, it is powered by a lithium-ion battery that lasts for 20 km of road, while the car is capable of a maximum speed of 340 km / h.

22.1948 Tasco

The early corvettes had a remarkable element - "T-Top", that is, a sliding roof of two segments. What many unfortunately forget, however, is that this decision made its way into the Corvette lineup thanks to the 1948 Tasco. This interesting car has remained a prototype, but thanks to the fiberglass fenders and unique roof design, it has forever won a place in the hall of automotive history.

23. Davis Divan

In the late 1940s, Davis Motor began luring investors with the promise of revolutionizing the market with three-wheeled vehicles. The plant existed for only one year, having produced 13 cars. The Divan remains the company's most unique creation, thanks to its whimsical design: the car looks like a truncated submarine. Actually, the company managed to produce only two samples of this model before the head, Glen Davis, was sued by investors.

24. Heinkel Kabine

And here's another "field experiment" in the microcar market of the German aircraft manufacturer Heinkel. Like the Isette, the Kabine featured a single front door, a sunroof and a recognizable dome cockpit. The presence of a reverse gear became the main feature of this model, because it was often absent in other microcars.

25. Rinspeed sQuba

Fancy supercars are an integral part of the atmosphere of the James Bond series. So in the movie "The Spy Who Loved Me" in 1977, an amphibious vehicle appeared, which could move even under water. The Swiss car company Rinspeed decided to make this idea a reality with the development of the Rinspeed sQuba. So it turned out to be a fully functional amphibian, capable of diving to a depth of 10 meters, at which passengers have to breathe using a scuba diving apparatus.