Rear-Engine Icons
Rear-mounted engines have always walked a different line. They sound different, drive differently, and often look unlike anything else on the road. For gearheads who admire innovation and engineering oddities, this layout offers endless fascination. Step into the world of 20 icons that dared to keep their engines behind them.
1. Porsche 911 (Classic And Modern)
First launched in 1964, Porsche’s 911 has famously kept its engine in the rear. This unusual layout contributes to its legendary oversteer and thrilling cornering. Despite modern iterations adding electronic aids, the 911s still house a flat-six behind the rear axle.
2. Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1)
Built from 1938 until 2003, the original Beetle featured an air-cooled flat-four engine. This simple design made it easy to service and helped distribute weight for better traction. Over 21 million were sold globally, making it the longest-running rear-engined car in history.
3. DeLorean DMC-12
The stainless-steel-bodied DMC-12, made famous by Back to the Future, used a PRV V6 engine. Manufactured between 1981 and 1983 in Northern Ireland, it was known more for its looks than performance. Its engine position contributed to the car’s heavy rear bias and unique weight distribution.
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia on Wikimedia
4. Chevrolet Corvair
Chevy’s Corvair stood out in 1960s America with an air-cooled flat-six engine. The design drew comparisons to European imports and was the only mass-produced American car with a rear-engine layout. Though controversial for its handling, the Corvair pioneered innovations like unit-body construction and four-wheel independent suspension.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
5. Fiat 126
Fiat launched the 126 in 1972 as a modernized successor to the 500. Powered by a tiny air-cooled two-cylinder engine, it became a common sight across Eastern Europe. In Poland alone, over 3 million units—locally called “Maluch,” meaning “toddler”—were produced until 2000.
6. Tatra 603
Produced in Czechoslovakia between 1956 and 1975, the Tatra 603 featured a rear-mounted air-cooled V8 that sat beneath a finned engine cover. The car was primarily reserved for Communist Party officials, with limited exports. Aerodynamic styling and a rear engine gave it impressive performance for its class.
Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem on Wikimedia
7. Renault 8
Unlike most sedans of the 1960s, the Renault 8 placed its engine at the back. This configuration allowed more space up front and provided superior traction in wet European conditions. The 8 was built in France and also extensively produced in Spain and Bulgaria.
8. Smart Fortwo (First Generation)
Introduced in 1998, the first-gen Smart Fortwo utilized a compact engine layout to maximize interior space. Its three-cylinder engine sat beneath the rear cargo floor, allowing the Fortwo to measure approximately eight feet in length. A 50-horsepower 0.6-liter turbocharged unit powered early models.
User Eppasandas on de.wikipedia on Wikimedia
9. NSU Prinz 1000
The NSU Prinz 1000 debuted in the early 1960s with an air-cooled four-cylinder engine. Known for its light weight, it offered lively performance for its size. The sportier TT and TTS variants became formidable in touring car racing. Production ended in 1973 as NSU merged with Audi.
10. Porsche 356
Porsche’s first production car, the 356, launched in 1948 with a flat-four derived from the VW Beetle. It evolved rapidly into a lightweight, agile sports car, and its racing success helped establish the brand’s reputation. The final 356C models, built until 1965, featured disc brakes and improved suspension.
11. ZAZ 965
Manufactured from 1960 to 1969, the ZAZ 965 featured a tiny V4 engine. The car's compact dimensions and simple mechanics were designed for rugged use in rural areas. Though often mocked for its looks, its 887cc engine proved durable on unpaved roads and icy terrain.
12. Hillman Imp
The Hillman Imp was Britain’s answer to the rear-engined compact craze. It used a lightweight aluminum 875cc engine derived from Coventry Climax’s fire pump units. Mounted in the rear, it offered independent rear suspension and water cooling. The Imp was built in Linwood, Scotland, until 1976.
13. Alpine A110 (Original)
The original Alpine A110, produced from 1963 to 1977, became a rally legend thanks to its lightweight design. Using Renault engines in the back, it secured the 1973 World Rally Championship title. The Berlinette’s fiberglass body and rear weight bias made it agile on tight stages.
14. Suzuki Fronte 360 LC10
Suzuki’s Fronte 360 LC10 complied with kei car regulations while offering peppy performance. Introduced in the late 1960s, the car featured a two-stroke, triple-cylinder engine positioned just ahead of the rear bumper. Stirling Moss tuned a sporty SS version for promotion.
15. Cheetah (Kit Car by Bruce Meyers)
Bruce Meyers is most famous for the iconic Meyers Manx, but he also created the Cheetah dune buggy, another off-road marvel powered by a rear-mounted VW flat-four engine. Built in the 1960s, the Cheetah rode on a modified Beetle chassis and featured a lightweight fiberglass body.
Meyers Manx Dune Buggy Walkaround by AUTO TV
16. Fiat 500 (Cinquecento, 1957–1975)
The original Fiat 500 symbolized Italy’s post-war economic revival. It featured a tiny air-cooled, two-cylinder engine mounted at the rear. Starting with just 13 horsepower, the 500 wasn’t powerful, but its tight turning and responsive ride made it the perfect fit for the crowded, twisty roads of cities across Europe.
17. Subaru 360
Known as Japan’s first mass-produced car, the Subaru 360 housed a 356cc two-stroke twin-cylinder engine. Built between 1958 and 1971, it qualified as a kei car and featured fiberglass roof panels. This tiny rear-engine setup helped Subaru gain early traction in Japan’s growing postwar auto market.
18. DAF 600
Released in 1958, the Dutch-built DAF 600 included an air-cooled twin engine paired with the revolutionary Variomatic CVT. This continuously variable transmission made driving smoother and more accessible. Though the 600 wasn’t a performance car, its drivetrain and layout helped introduce automatic shifting to European motorists.
19. Melkus RS 1000
Just 101 Melkus RS 1000 units were made, making the model a rare sight. Built between 1969 and 1979, it featured a mid-rear mounted Wartburg three-cylinder two-stroke engine. The car's lightweight fiberglass body and gullwing doors added to its exotic appeal, despite its modest 70-horsepower engine.
20. Rumpler Tropfenwagen
One of the earliest rear-engine cars, the 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen, pioneered the teardrop shape. The W6 engine was mounted behind the cabin, a radical layout for the era. Though production was limited, it influenced later cars like the Tatra and inspired elements of Mercedes-Benz’s early streamliners.
