Wacky On Wheels
Some cars are built to break speed records, while others exist just to turn heads. Then there are concept cars—the wild experiments that make you wonder, "What were they thinking?" These are the bold, bizarre, and downright wacky designs that left people scratching their heads. So, let’s take a closer look at 20 of the most outrageous concept cars ever to hit the drawing board!
1. General Motors Firebird I (1953)
Rocket science met automotive design when GM introduced the Firebird I, the first car powered by a gas turbine engine. Inspired by jet planes, it had needle-sharp tail fins and a single-seat cockpit. Despite its 200 mph potential, turbine lag made it impractical for road use.
2. Mazda Furai (2008)
The Mazda Furai (2008) stunned with its race car engineering and futuristic design. Mazda built it on a Courage C65 chassis and powered it with an E100 ethanol rotary engine. Since it wasn’t practical for production, the project never advanced. Moreover, during testing, a fire destroyed the only prototype, ending its legacy abruptly.
3. Chrysler Turbine Car (1963)
Jet-age innovation met real-world testing when Chrysler built 55 gas-turbine cars. Able to run on anything from kerosene to tequila, it promised versatility. Yet, the high production cost doomed it. Only nine survived, one of which Jay Leno proudly owns today!
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
4. BMW GINA (2008)
Stretchable fabric covered the BMW GINA, allowing it to shape-shift at will. Its flexible skin allowed the car to “blink” its headlights and change aerodynamics in real time. This futuristic marvel demonstrated that cars needn’t be confined to rigid materials—but it was far too impractical for mass production.
5. Nissan Pivo (2005)
Forget reversing—this electric city car’s entire cabin rotated 360 degrees. Nissan envisioned stress-free urban driving, where parking nightmares disappeared. The bubble-like design, joystick steering, and robot companion made it futuristic. Practicality? Not so much. Three versions later, it still never saw the streets.
6. Toyota Pod (2001)
A car with emotions? The Toyota Pod could change colors to reflect its driver’s mood and even wag its antenna-like tail when “happy.” Designed in collaboration with Sony, this adorable AI-driven car pushed boundaries in human-vehicle interaction, though its robotic enthusiasm never found a place in mass-market production.
7. Rinspeed sQuba (2008)
Ever wanted to drive underwater? This Swiss-engineered marvel was inspired by James Bond’s Lotus Esprit. Fully submersible, it could dive up to 33 feet and stay afloat when needed. Breathing masks were required, though—no dry commutes here.
8. Ford Gyron (1961)
Balancing on just two wheels, the Ford Gyron was a futuristic concept car that was showcased at the Detroit Motor Show. Designed as a self-stabilizing commuter pod, it relied on gyroscopic technology for balance. However, it never reached production because the technology required for real-world stability wasn’t advanced enough at the time.
Ford Gyron 1961 3D model by 3DModels.org by 3DModels.org
9. Sbarro Chrono (1990)
The Sbarro Chrono (1990) was an extreme concept car designed by Franco Sbarro, featuring a low-slung, wedge-shaped body with massive exposed rear wheels and a fully enclosed glass canopy. The Chrono’s futuristic, almost cyberpunk aesthetic made it look more like a vehicle from a sci-fi film than a road-going machine.
Essai Sbarro Chrono by Street Rider
10. Peugeot Moovie (2005)
Urban mobility got a funky twist with the Moovie. Huge side wheels allowed for tight maneuvering, perfect for European city streets. Its minimalistic, bubble-like body made it a conversation piece. As cool as it looked, its unconventional setup kept it locked in concept limbo.
11. Cadillac Cyclone (1959)
Radar-powered crash avoidance seemed like science fiction in 1959, but the Cadillac Cyclone made it a reality. Its nose-mounted sensors detected potential collisions, foreshadowing today’s autonomous tech. Plus, it featured jet-age styling and a retractable bubble canopy, which was why this space-age cruiser never saw production.
Yahya S. from United States on Wikimedia
12. Mercedes-Benz F300 Life Jet (1997)
The Mercedes-Benz F300 Life Jet from 1997 was basically a car trying to be an airplane. This wacky concept car came with a jet turbine engine, a transparent cabin, and seats that looked like they belonged on a spaceship. It was like driving a high-tech lounge with wings, even though it couldn’t actually fly.
13. Toyota i-ROAD (2013)
Picture a car that leans into corners like a motorcycle. Toyota’s i-ROAD did just that, as it delivered an electrified, three-wheeled thrill ride perfect for congested cities. While hailed as a potential solution for urban transportation, its narrow frame and limited speed kept it from widespread adoption.
14. Lancia Stratos Zero (1970)
If an alien spaceship had wheels, this would be it. The wedge-shaped Stratos Zero was barely three feet tall and had no doors—drivers had to climb through the windshield! The design influenced future supercars, but its extreme styling made it a one-off marvel.
Dustin May from Detroit, MI on Wikimedia
15. Renault Trezor (2016)
A sci-fi masterpiece, the Trezor’s entire canopy lifted to reveal the cockpit, eliminating doors altogether. With a dashboard made of wood and a body crafted from carbon fiber, it redefined futuristic luxury. While it looked stunning, it never transitioned to production.
16. Pontiac Stinger (1989)
Convertible beach buggy meets Swiss Army knife! The Stinger came loaded with built-in snorkels, removable fenders, and an on-board vacuum for sandy adventures. As cool as it was, practicality kept it a concept-only creation. Too bad—car wash owners would have loved it.
Pontiac Stinger/Ford Splash Prototypes | Retro Review by MotorWeek
17. Peugeot 20Cup (2005)
The Peugeot 20Cup, introduced in 2005, was a concept car that looked like it was straight out of a sci-fi movie. Forget conventional doors—this thing had a crazy open-wheel design, making it look like something you'd see zooming through a futuristic cityscape. Its hybrid engine? A quirky attempt at eco-cool performance.
18. Jeep Hurricane (2005)
Extreme off-roading met engineering insanity with the Jeep Hurricane, a vehicle capable of spinning 360 degrees in place. With dual HEMI V8s and an advanced four-wheel steering system, it was an off-road dream machine. While not feasible for production, it showcased Jeep’s engineering prowess.
Mtxchevy at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
19. Citroën Karin (1980)
The Citroën Karin (1980) looked like it rolled straight out of a sci-fi movie, with a pyramid-shaped body that made it one of the most bizarre concept cars ever built. It had a single driver’s seat in the center, flanked by two passengers—a layout that made you feel more like a starship captain than a driver.
20. BMW Lovos (2009)
Solar-powered and covered in kinetic “scales,” the BMW Lovos was nature-inspired engineering at its peak. These panels acted as both an energy source and an aerodynamic braking system, flipping up to slow the car down—because why settle for regular brakes when you can have a mechanical dragon shedding its scales?
