40 Of The Most Futuristic Concept Cars From The Past That Look Totally Bizarre Today

Noor Muhammad | September 8, 2024 11:32 am

Automakers have often pushed the boundaries of creativity, resulting in concept cars that defied conventions and challenged the status quo. When these cars were first revealed, they dazzled everyone with their futuristic design and cutting-edge features… but now, they seem a bit strange and out of place compared to today's standards.

However, despite all their eccentricities, these concepts have made a place in automotive history due to their quest for innovation. Let us have a look at some of the most futuristic concept cars from the past that look bizarre now.

Ford Gyron (1961)

Ford Gyron
Archive Photos via Getty Images
Archive Photos via Getty Images

Unveiled at the 1961 Detroit Motor Show, the Ford Gyron was a futuristic concept car with a distinctive design. Unlike traditional cars, it had two wheels like a motorcycle and it used gyroscopes for stability.

In addition to its striking design, the Gyron had a number of advanced features as well. The car captured attention when it was launched, but it was primarily created for research and marketing, with no plans for production.

ADVERTISEMENT

AMC Astra-Gnome (1956)

ADVERTISEMENT
xdbm4oe54gl21
American Motors Corporation
American Motors Corporation
ADVERTISEMENT

The 1956 Astra-Gnome, aka the "Time and Space Car," was created by Richard Arbib for AMC. Inspired from the space-age, it had a bubble-top canopy that could be raised to allow entry into the vehicle. It also featured a unique dashboard design with a circular control panel, housing various instruments and controls.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mechanically, the Astra-Gnome was based on the chassis of the AMC Rambler, and was powered by a V8 engine via an automatic transmission. Measuring 6-feet in width, the concept car was notably much greater than contemporary passenger vehicles.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cadillac Cyclone (1959)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
1959_Cadillac_CycloneXP742
Cadillac
Cadillac
ADVERTISEMENT

Cadillac's Cyclone concept car featured innovative elements mirroring spacecraft technology. It had a bubble top canopy and sliding motion doors activated by a button. The car's canopy could be neatly stowed in the rear compartment, resting securely on a specialized air-bag base.

ADVERTISEMENT

Inspired by space travel and rocket design of the late 50s, the Cyclone’s large black nose cones served as electronic alerts that could signal nearby vehicles. Despite its groundbreaking features, the Cyclone was never produced commercially.

ADVERTISEMENT

General Motors Firebird I (1954)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
General Motors Firebird and Designer
General Motors Corporation/Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
General Motors Corporation/Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The XP-21 Firebird 1 was the first gas turbine vehicle ever to be built. It was envisioned to determine whether the gas turbine could be used as an efficient and economical power plant for the future vehicles.

ADVERTISEMENT

With sleek space age aesthetics of the 1950s, the Firebird 1 looked more like a jet aircraft than an automobile. The design featured a bubble-topped canopy over a single-seat cockpit, a bullet-shaped fuselage crafted entirely of fiberglass, short wings, and a vertical tail fin.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ford Nucleon (1958)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
photo-gallery-ford-brings-us-back-in-history-via-its-online-heritage-vault
Ford
Ford
ADVERTISEMENT

Back in the late 50s, it was believed that nuclear technology could be made small and cheap enough to replace gasoline. So, Ford came up with the bold idea to use it to power cars.

ADVERTISEMENT

Unveiled in 1957, the Ford Nucleon featured a small nuclear reactor in the rear of the vehicle. The idea was to use uranium fission to power a steam engine, such as done in nuclear submarines. But it proved to be impractical, and the car could never advance beyond the concept stage.

ADVERTISEMENT

General Motors Firebird II (1956)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
firebird2
General Motors
General Motors
ADVERTISEMENT

The Firebird II, introduced at the 1956 GM Motorama, was a gas-turbine-powered concept car. Built as a family car with four seats, it had a sleek, low profile and wide body, featuring two big air intakes in the front, a tall bubble canopy roof, and a vertical tail fin.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Firebird II featured a titanium body and many advanced technologies including power disc brakes, individual air conditioning control, magnetic ignition key, electric gear selection, and all-wheel independent suspension.

ADVERTISEMENT

Citroen Karin (1980)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3l0h
Citroen
Citroen
ADVERTISEMENT

Unveiled at the 1980 Paris Auto show, the Citroen Karin was one of the brand's most unconventional creations. This peculiar vehicle featured a three-seat layout, placing the driver's seat in the middle flanked by two passenger seats. Moreover, its angular body shape and incredibly small roof gave it a distinctly pyramid-like appearance.

ADVERTISEMENT

While the Karin's design was undeniably quirky and it boasted a number of unique features, it could never evolve from the concept stage due to its impracticality.

ADVERTISEMENT

General Motors Firebird III (1959)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Turbineengine
General Motors Corporation via Getty Images
General Motors Corporation via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Debuting at the 1959 Motorama, the Firebird III had a fiberglass body, a double-bubble canopy, and multiple wings and tail fins. Beyond its striking exterior, it boasted a number of futuristic features, including cruise control and anti-lock brakes.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Firebird III notably introduced innovative air drag brakes akin to those used in aircraft and an 'ultra-sonic' key to open the doors. The most unique thing, however, was that the steering was controlled by a joystick positioned between the two seats.

ADVERTISEMENT

Italdesign Machimoto (1986)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3bUA
Italdesign
Italdesign
ADVERTISEMENT

The Italdesign Machimoto was based on the Volkswagen Orbit concept and shared the same platform as the VW Golf Mk2. Blending elements of a car and a motorcycle, the car had two rows of motorcycle-style seats inside that could accommodate either 6 or 9 people, depending upon the configuration.

ADVERTISEMENT

Powered by the Golf GTi's 1.8L engine, the Machimoto was targeted for sale in developing countries, but it could never make it to production due to a serious lack of safety and comfort.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dodge Neon Expresso (1994)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3l0M
FCA
FCA
ADVERTISEMENT

The Neon Expresso car did steal the show at the 1994 Chicago Auto Show, but it was probably due to its eye-catching paint job. The car had a whimsical cartoonish design, with exaggerated proportions and bubble windows setting it apart from anything else on the road.

ADVERTISEMENT

Though it was built on a shortened Neon platform, it stood 15 inches taller than the production Neon. Dodge tried to bill the Expresso as a redesign of the family taxi, but its credibility as a practical vehicle was questionable.

ADVERTISEMENT

Chevrolet Astro III (1969)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3kZX
General Motors
General Motors
ADVERTISEMENT

General Motors' Chevrolet Astro III was inspired by the sleek design of jet aircraft. This futuristic concept car was intended to push the boundaries of automotive design. However, its front wheels were placed so close to each other that it resembled a three-wheeler and had limited stability.

ADVERTISEMENT

While the Astro III featured a number innovative design elements, it failed to resonate with mainstream consumers accustomed to more traditional designs of the era… and could never become a success.

ADVERTISEMENT

BMW Lovos (2009)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
1076px-BMW_Lovos
Rasevic via Wikimedia Commons
Rasevic via Wikimedia Commons
ADVERTISEMENT

The most inexplicable design BMW ever came up with has to be Lovos. The car was made up of 260 identical and interchangeable moving parts that had the ability to open and close. These metallic scales would turn into air brakes when they opened.

ADVERTISEMENT

In addition to that, the metallic scales also worked as solar panels that optimally captured the sunlight depending on the position of the sun. The Lovos was famously conceived by a 24-year-old design student at the University of Pforzheim in Germany.

ADVERTISEMENT

Aurora Safety Car (1957)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Aurora-Safety-Car
Pinterest
Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT

Hailed as the "ugliest car ever," the Aurora Safety Car was the first experimental safety vehicle to be build. With an 18-foot fiberglass body, it was priced just below America's costliest car at the time, the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Aurora introduced numerous groundbreaking safety features, including seatbelts, a roll cage, a padded instrument panel, side-impact bars, and a collapsible steering column. The placement of the spare tire under the front end also served as an impact absorber. The biggest innovation, however, was the ability to swivel seats rearward in anticipation of collisions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Renault Racoon (1993)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
pictures_renault_concepts_1993_1
Renault
Renault
ADVERTISEMENT

The Renault Racoon was designed to tackle any kind of terrain and had aquatic capabilities as well. It featured a twin-turbocharged V6 engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive system to generate 262hp and 363 Nm of torque.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Racoon boasted a number of innovative features that set it apart in both design and functionality. It used a canopy door, could be raised for additional ground clearance, featured computer control, and had cameras instead of rear-view mirrors.

ADVERTISEMENT

Toyota FV2 (2014)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
toyota-fv2
Toyota
Toyota
ADVERTISEMENT

The Toyota FV2 was light years ahead of conventional cars when it debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Instead of using traditional controls, the driver in the FV2 had to shift their body intuitively to move the vehicle forward, backward, left, or right.

ADVERTISEMENT

Additionally, the FV2 could communicate with nearby vehicles and highway infrastructure to receive safety information in real-time. It had an augmented reality (AR) display on the windscreen… and the car's body color and exterior display could be changed as per driver's will.

ADVERTISEMENT

Peugeot Hoggar (2004)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
c2d520e9f08a31bbb6a5616f19bf3c5de09da549
Peugeot
Peugeot
ADVERTISEMENT

A roofless two-seater off-road vehicle, the Peugeot Hoggar puzzled many with an unconventional twin-engined setup. The car had a pair of 2.2-liter diesel engines, one for the front and one for the rear wheels.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Hoggar offered impressive power, with the two engines combining to deliver 360 hp and up to 800 Nm of torque in a four-wheel drive configuration. However, it was way too unconventional (and even impractical) to progress beyond the concept stage.

ADVERTISEMENT

BMW GINA (2008)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
790216
BMW
BMW
ADVERTISEMENT

The GINA (Geometry and functions In 'N' Adaptions) Light Visionary Model was a revolutionary sports car concept from BMW. The car had a fabric-skinned body that could change shape based on external conditions and the driver's preferences.

ADVERTISEMENT

GINA only had four main panels: the bonnet, two side panels, and the trunk. Instead of traditional metal panels, its body was made of fabric stretched over a frame with movable parts, which allowed the car to adapt its shape dynamically.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mitsubishi SUP (2002)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
never-let-them-cook-again-2002-mitsubishi-s-u-p-convertible-v0-sq41tq6xh05b1
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi
ADVERTISEMENT

The Mitsubishi Sports Utility Pack blended five different body styles and two power sources into one versatile concept. Under the hood, it featured a "soft HEV" 4WD drivetrain, with an automated manual transmission transferring power from a straight-4 engine to the front wheels, while two discrete electric motors powered the rear wheels.

ADVERTISEMENT

On the surface, the SUP combined elements of SUVs, convertibles, MPVs, sports cars, and family cars. The car theoretically offered something for everyone, but its ambitious design left it somewhat confused in appearance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Pininfarina Modulo (1970)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3gto
Pininfarina
Pininfarina
ADVERTISEMENT

The Pininfarina Modulo concept car failed to captivate enthusiasts due to its impracticalities, that include closed wheels, a canopy design, and a bizarre shape that posed engineering challenges.

ADVERTISEMENT

These complexities hindered its progression beyond the realm of concept… and like numerous other concept cars of its time, it could never transition to production. Nevertheless, from the 1970s to the present day, it still stands as a symbol of experimental automotive design, revered for its daring innovation and futuristic vision.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mitsubishi ESR (1993)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3iS2
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi
ADVERTISEMENT

Unveiled at the 30th Tokyo Motor Show in 1993, the Mitsubishi Ecological Science Research was a hybrid electric vehicle concept that pushed the boundaries of sustainability. The car could recycle kinetic energy and had solar cells mounted on the roof.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mitsubishi claimed the ESR concept to have a range of up to 620 miles in hybrid mode or 310 miles using only the batteries. The car also had a drag coefficient of 0.25 to maximize energy efficiency.

ADVERTISEMENT

Toyota Pod (2001)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Toyotaa-Pod-110834331
Toyota
Toyota
ADVERTISEMENT

The Toyota Pod was designed to be a companion that could understand the feelings of the driver. The car used an advanced warning system that could detect the driver's pulse and perspiration before interpreting it to find any irregularity in this biometric data.

ADVERTISEMENT

It then responded by changing its lighting and wagging its 'tail' antenna to relax the driver. The name "pod" suggests a protective capsule, which symbolizes its role in enveloping and safeguarding family members.

ADVERTISEMENT

Chrysler Voyager III (1990)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3bUL
FCA
FCA
ADVERTISEMENT

The Chrysler Voyager III, unveiled by Plymouth in 1989, was a groundbreaking minivan concept. The vehicle featured an innovative modular design, resembling a miniature tractor-trailer. The cab could detach from the rear of the car and operate independently.

ADVERTISEMENT

When combined, the rear wheels of the cab were hidden. Each segment housed its own four-cylinder engine, electronically coordinated to provide power either independently or together. The Voyager III was appreciated at its unveiling, but it couldn't progress to production.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bertone BAT 3/5/7 (1953)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3ssF
Bertone
Bertone
ADVERTISEMENT

The Berlinetta Aerodynamic Tecnica, known as BAT for short, was introduced in three distinct concepts: BAT 3, BAT 5, and BAT 7. Unveiled between 1953 and 1955, the primary objective was to explore the potential of aerodynamic design. The BAT cars were purely conceptual and never intended for mass production.

ADVERTISEMENT

While their design may appear unconventional by modern standards, they remain significant today and are, in fact, celebrated as iconic vehicles that epitomize remarkable engineering expertise and visionary concepts for car enthusiasts.

ADVERTISEMENT

Peugeot Proxima (1986)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3bUE
Peugeot
Peugeot
ADVERTISEMENT

Drawing inspiration from science fiction and named after the closest star to our solar system (Proxima Centauri), the Proxima was unveiled by Peugeot at the 1986 Paris Motor Show. This high-performance vehicle featured a twin-turbocharged V6 engine packing a whopping 680 horses, enabling a top speed of 348 km/h (216 mph).

ADVERTISEMENT

The Proxima was also equipped with traction control, with power being automatically sent to the front wheels when rear-wheel slippage occurs. Additionally, it had electronic controls to manage the gearbox and clutch for optimal handling.

ADVERTISEMENT

Audi RSQ (2004)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3l12
Audi
Audi
ADVERTISEMENT

Gaining prominence from its appearance in Will Smith's sci-fi film 'I, Robot,' the RSQ captured the audience with its futuristic features and design. Departing from traditional wheels, the RSQ rolled along on spheres and boasted butterfly doors.

ADVERTISEMENT

This visionary sports coupe was intended to capture attention and flaunt Audi's engineering prowess (which it did) rather than enter mass production, as its unrealistic features aligned more with science fiction than real-world feasibility.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ghia Selene (1960)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3uoP
MCP
MCP
ADVERTISEMENT

When the Italian firm Ghia unveiled Tom Tjaarda's groundbreaking design, it claimed all people will be driving cars like this within a decade. The Selene concept car featured a distinctive wedge-shaped body, a canopy-style roof, and expansive glass panels.

ADVERTISEMENT

Designed as a luxurious four-seater, the Selene boasted comfortable seating and innovative aesthetics. Like many concept cars of its time, it aimed to showcase remarkable engineering capabilities and various innovative features... but it could still never enter production.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nissan Pivo (2005)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3iSU
Nissan
Nissan
ADVERTISEMENT

The Nissan Pivo is basically a 360-degree rotating three-seater cabin on four wheels that simplified parking and eliminated the need for reversing. The Pivo's compact size, rotating cabin, and electric powertrain system made waves when it debuted at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show.

ADVERTISEMENT

The car also had Nissan’s Around View Monitor system with numerous advanced safety features including blind view monitoring. However, despite its futuristic design and tons of features, the Pivo remained a concept car.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bertone Stratos Zero (1970)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3ste
Bertone
Bertone
ADVERTISEMENT

Unveiled at the 1970 Turin Motor Show, the Bertone Stratos Zero was a visionary concept car crafted by Italian designer Marcello Gandini. Much like its contemporaries, the Stratos Zero captured widespread attention upon its debut… but could never transition into production.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nonetheless, it went on to become an inspiration for future concept cars. The Stratos Zero inspired Lancia's car of the same name and was featured in Michael Jackson's "Moonwalker" video.

ADVERTISEMENT

Honda Fuya-Jo (1999)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3uqT
Honda
Honda
ADVERTISEMENT

Designed for the clubbing crowd, the Renault Zoom featured interiors unlike any other concept car before it. Its innovative design included a lowered and flattened floor paired with semi-standing seats, so if anyone wanted to dance inside the car, they could.

ADVERTISEMENT

Apart from that, it had the most advanced sound system of the time as well as foldable barstools to provide a unique experience. However, despite all these features, this nightclub on wheels could never progress to production mainly due to its unconventional appearance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Renault Zoom (1992)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3uqn
Renault
Renault
ADVERTISEMENT

Developed through collaborative research between Renault and Matra into modern electric cars, the Zoom was introduced at the 1992 Paris Motor Show. This super-compact two-seater concept car measured 2,650 mm in length and 1,520 mm in width.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Zoom is also perhaps the most technologically intricate small car ever produced, featuring a complex rear suspension system that allowed for variable wheelbase adjustments based on driving conditions. Despite its significant acclaim upon launch, the Zoom could never progress beyond its initial prototype stage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Toyota CX-80 (1979)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3iRE
Toyota
Toyota
ADVERTISEMENT

The Toyota CX-80 debuted in 1979 at the Tokyo Motor Show. It was conceived as an experimental city car, envisioned to be lightweight and compact to conserve fuel. Characterized by a sharply sloped bonnet with a central pod for the headlights, the CX-80 utilized front-wheel drive, allowing for a flat cabin floor and spacious interior.

ADVERTISEMENT

The CX-80 was designed to accommodate a family of four while occupying less road space than Toyota's smallest production model, the Starlet. But unfortunately, it fell short in terms of aesthetics… and was appreciated by no one.

ADVERTISEMENT

Aston Martin Bulldog (1979)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Bulldog-turner
Top Gear
Top Gear
ADVERTISEMENT

Designed in 1979 by William Towns, the Aston Martin Bulldog was a truly unique creation characterized by its wedge-shaped design and low-slung profile. It also incorporated the aerodynamic principles of its era, besides advanced tech demonstrating the brand's engineering prowess.

ADVERTISEMENT

The car was originally intended to have a limited production run of 25, but for various reasons, it did not proceed further than a prototype. Despite its singular existence, the Bulldog survives today and is currently undergoing a comprehensive restoration.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mazda EX-005 (1970)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3py5
Mazda
Mazda
ADVERTISEMENT

Resembling the shape of an egg, the EX-005 was a highly unconventional concept car introduced by Mazda in the 1970s. The car offered four very uncomfortable seats molded with plastic, was unsuitable for the weather conditions, and had no proper safety measures.

ADVERTISEMENT

Its rotary/electric hybrid powertrain did showcase forward-thinking technology, but that too was without significant practical application. Due to these (and more) factors, the EX-005 never progressed beyond the concept stage. Nonetheless, it still stands as an iconic Mazda.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ghia Action (1978)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3bUg
Ghia
Ghia
ADVERTISEMENT

Out of all Ghia creations, the 1978 Action was the most striking in appearance. With a plain wedge shape, the car looked as if Ghia only designed half of it, stopping at the B-pillars.

ADVERTISEMENT

On the inside, the car was envisioned to offer a luxurious and modern interior, incorporating upscale materials and an impressive audio system. However, the Action was intended solely as an exemplary design study to showcase the company's creativity and vision for the automotive future.

ADVERTISEMENT

Demo Zero (1978)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
1680px-童夢-零(Dome_Zero)_(8014531836)_(cropped)
Contri/ Yonezawa-Shi via Wikimedia Commons
Contri/ Yonezawa-Shi via Wikimedia Commons
ADVERTISEMENT

A Japanese concept car unveiled by Dome at the 1978 Geneva Motor Show, the Zero made a bold statement with its sharp, angular rear side and distinctive pop-up headlights. Its aggressive design, even more so than the Lamborghini Countach, drew widespread attention upon its debut.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Zero was originally intended for racing at Le Mans, but this ambition unfortunately never materialized… and it could never advance to production. It did, however, cement its status as an icon of late 1970s Japanese automotive design.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bertone Carabo (1968)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3pxS
Bertone
Bertone
ADVERTISEMENT

In 1968, Bertone unveiled one of its most captivating creations: the Carabo. This dreamy concept car captured the attention of car enthusiasts with its sleek and stylish aerodynamic body.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Carabo boasted a unique aesthetic appeal with its colored glass accents and its butterfly doors that opened upwards. Built on the chassis of an Alfa Romeo 33 racer with a V8 in the middle, it also offered a lot of performance in addition to its striking appearance.

ADVERTISEMENT

IAD Alien (1986)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3upS
IAD
IAD
ADVERTISEMENT

The Alien was unveiled by British design consultancy IAD at the 1986 Turin motor show with aims to surpass Ferrari and Lamborghini in both style and practicality. The car's standout feature was its innovative engineering, which separated mechanical components like the engine and gearbox from the passenger space.

ADVERTISEMENT

This allowed for a distinctive tapered body that widened at the back, with air intakes feeding the powerplant located behind the driver and passenger. Unfortunately, the car could not proceed to production.

ADVERTISEMENT

Peugeot Moovie (2005)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
2005_Peugeot_MoovieConcept1
Peugeot
Peugeot
ADVERTISEMENT

Designed by a 23-year-old Portuguese university student, the Peugeot Moovie was a compact 2-door, 2-seat city car known for its distinctive round shape and extensive glass enclosure.

ADVERTISEMENT

Unlike other city cars, the Moovie's interior was very spacious and open, and featured a bright yellow theme. The concept car was developed as an agile and eco-friendly vehicle for urban commute… but Peugeot couldn't proceed with production and never disclosed the reason for doing so.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ghia Selene Seconda (1962)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
AA1n3bTG
MCP
MCP
ADVERTISEMENT

Following the waves made by its predecessor, Tjaarda embarked on designing its sequel... and was let loose by Ghia this time. With a design reminiscent of "The Jetsons," the Selene Seconda sported a distinctive glass canopy roof.

ADVERTISEMENT

It retained the signature features of its predecessor, including rear-facing seats and a rear engine... and stood out for its avant-garde features. Despite its unconventional shape, the car left a lasting impression and was sold for $88,000 at a 2002 auction.

ADVERTISEMENT

Venturi Astrolab (2006)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
2006_Venturi_Astrolab2
Venturi
Venturi
ADVERTISEMENT

The Venturi Astrolab was a concept battery electric car, with 39 sq ft of high-efficiency solar cells integrated into its bodywork. The car featured a 16 kW electric motor and had a top speed of 74.5 mph.

ADVERTISEMENT

Unveiled as a zero-emission vehicle, the Astrolab had a potential range of 11 miles using solar power alone, which could be extended to 62 miles with onboard batteries. To achieve energy efficiency, it featured an ultra-lightweight monocoque chassis made from carbon.