Weird Wednesday: 55 Dumb Vehicle Designs From Automotive History

Published

June 17, 2026

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An orange vintage car with a unique design has a large, wing-like structure extending from its rear, parked on grass with trees in the background under a clear sky.

I wouldn’t exactly call myself a car guy, but I can definitely spot something ridiculous when I see it. Over the course of automotive history, companies have occasionally produced designs that seem more experimental than practical. Some were bold attempts to push boundaries, while others were simply the result of awful ideas that somehow made it to production.

The vehicles collected here highlight some of the most unusual and hilarious designs ever put on the road. From awkward exteriors to baffling engineering choices, each one stands out for all the wrong reasons. Looking back offers a funny glimpse into automotive history. Let’s take a look at 55 dumb vehicle designs from automotive history.

1. 1980 Citroen Karin

The 1980 Citroen Karin is what many people picture when someone says “concept car.” It’s about an absolute classic of design. It was created by Citroen’s designer, Trevor Fiore.

2. 1973 Ford Explorer SUV

A vintage car with an unusual design features a large, wing-like structure extending from its rear. The car is parked on a grassy area with trees in the background, under a clear sky. The vehicle appears to be from the mid-20th century, painted in an orange hue.

3. 1981 Oldsmobile Sport Omega

A white two-door coupe with "sportomega" decals in orange and gray parked in a residential driveway. Another black car is seen in the background. The scene includes houses, trees, and a sunny day.

4. 1987 Nissan Judo Concept

A light blue Isuzu Judo concept car with a compact, sporty design is shown against a plain background. The car has a unique front grille with dual round headlights, white wheels, and a rugged stance suitable for off-road driving.

5. 1970 Mazda RX-50

A silver Mazda RX500 concept car is displayed indoors. The sleek, futuristic design features distinctive black grills on the rear with "Powered by Rotary" text. The car is showcased from both front and rear angles, emphasizing its aerodynamic structure.

6. 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis Concept

A sleek orange vintage car with a streamlined design is parked indoors against a gray horizontal paneled wall. The car has white wall tires and a distinctive curved roof. Elegant reflections of the car can be seen on the shiny floor.

7. “BMW 328 Hommage concept at the 2012 International Automobile Festival.”

8. 1985 Honda City R w/ Motocomp

A red Honda City car is parked on a brick driveway in front of a house with palm trees. Next to the car is a red Honda Motocompo foldable scooter. Both vehicles are vintage and share a matching color scheme.

9. 1955 Powell Sport Wagon. It came equipped with fishing pole storage

Two photos of a retro-style, cream-colored pickup truck with red accents. The upper image shows the bed loaded with a blue go-kart. The bottom image features a unique extension mechanism that slides out from the truck bed, increasing its length.

10. 1989 Pontiac Stinger

A vibrant green, compact, convertible car with an open top is being driven on a beach. Two occupants are in the vehicle, the driver wearing a cap. The ocean and waves are slightly blurred in the background, enhancing the sense of motion.

11. 1988 Bertone Lamborghini Gensis

Two images of a red concept car with gull-wing front doors and sliding rear passenger doors. The top image shows a front-side view with doors open, revealing the interior seating. The bottom image displays a side view with all doors closed.

12. The 1995 Mercedes-Benz VRC Concept came with interchangeable body parts

A blue car is parked on a tiled surface next to several separated roof components arranged on a bench. The components include different roof styles and rear sections, showcasing various customization options for the car.

13. 1976 Volkswagen SP2

14. 1971 Ford Transit Supervan 1971

15. 2003 Jeep ‘Vangler’ Concept

A rugged off-road SUV equipped with large tires, a roof rack with cargo boxes, and additional lights is parked near a coastline. The vehicle has a robust front bumper and a sleek, metallic body designed for adventurous terrain. The sea and trees are in the background.

16. “Vector W8. It still looks like it’s from the future.”

This futuristic supercar combined aerospace-inspired design and the cutting-edge technology of the day. It had a twin-turbocharged V8 and became a symbol of excess. Only a handful of Vector W8s were ever made.

17. “Spotted this out in the world on Saturday. I believe it’s the Lancia Stratos with a Lister Bell kit?”

A two-panel image features a green and yellow Lancia Stratos sports car parked in a lot. The top panel shows a front-side view highlighting the car's unique design and rally decals. The bottom panel shows a rear-side view, emphasizing the distinct rear and exhaust design.

18. 1980 6×6 Renault 5

A modified silver Renault 5 car with six wheels, featuring raised suspension and off-road tires. One image shows a side view of the car on a dirt mound, while the other image captures a front three-quarter view on rocky terrain. The car has "6X6" decals.

Okay, I know this one is also just outside of the premise of this piece since it has six wheels, but look at it!

19. 1974 Volvo C303

A red, rugged, off-road vehicle with large tires is parked on a grassy field. The vehicle has a boxy design, multiple windows, and black accents, including a roof rack and front bumper. The background features a distant fence, trees, and a clear sky at sunset.

20. 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Type K

Two images of a classic silver Pontiac Firebird Trans Am from the 1970s. The top image shows a woman in a yellow jumpsuit standing next to the car, while the bottom image provides a side view of the car. The car features distinctive hood decals and custom wheels.

21. 2021 Hyundai Grandeur Concept

I know this one doesn’t look like it’s from 2021, but this concept car is a stunning reinterpretation of the classic 1986 sedan. It’s an electric concept with all sorts of flair.

22. 1926 Wolseley-Vickers wheel-track car

Two black-and-white photos showing a vintage half-track vehicle with a convertible soft top. The top image shows the vehicle with flat tracks, while the bottom image shows the vehicle with its tracks in a deployed, raised position for off-road use.

23. “1979 Corvette America. Six cars were built for GM by a California coachbuilding company to test the market on a four-door Corvette. About two survive today.”

A vintage brown sports car with a T-top roof is parked in a residential driveway. It has "Corvette" written on the side and white-letter tires. In the background, a blue car with gold rims is parked, and suburban houses and trees are visible.

24. 1969 Mustang Wagon

A black classic station wagon is parked on a dirt road surrounded by trees. In the background, there is a large body of water and hills or mountains. The car's design suggests it is from the mid-20th century.

25. 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado Prototype

26. “The 1968 Bizzarrini Manta Concept.”

27. “Mid-Engined 1984 Honda Civic 3.2L v6”

Two images of a modified, gray Honda Civic hatchback parked on grass. The first image shows the front and side view, while the second image captures the rear and side view. The car features wide body panels, aftermarket wheels, and a lowered stance.

28. “Subaru Brat Camper designed by Jay Nelson.”

A yellow pick-up truck converted into a camper with a custom wooden cabin structure on the back. The camper features round porthole windows, a canvas pop-top roof, a small chimney, and a bumper sticker that reads "BRT." The vehicle is parked in a wooded area.

29. “Gurgel X-15, first gen with the asymmetric windshield. Based on a VW Bus chassis, it was a rugged vehicle from the only 100% Brazilian automaker.”

A rugged, tan-colored off-road vehicle with a boxy design is parked indoors on a concrete floor. It features large tires, distinctive front grilles with square headlights, and a soft top. The vehicle appears to be well-suited for rough terrains.

30. 1978 Aston Martin Bulldog

31. “The Studebaker Zip Van is one of the strangest and most cheerful looking mail delivery vehicles ever made”

A vintage blue and white U.S. Mail truck is parked in an outdoor setting. The truck has a small, boxy design with "U.S. MAIL" written on the side and a postal emblem on the door. It is parked on a road with a wooden fence and trees in the background.

32. 1921 (propeller powered) Leyat, Helica

Two images of a unique, antique car featuring a large, circular propeller at the front, open cockpit, and a vintage design. The car has a sleek, enclosed body with two doors, a cylindrical tail, and large, spoked wheels with bicycle-like tires.

33. 1979 Renha Formigão

A silver, boxy, two-door vehicle labeled "TESTE" is parked along a road with trees and hills in the background. The car has a unique, angular design and a pickup-style bed. The scene appears to be captured in a natural, rural setting.

34. 1975 Sebring-Vanguard Electric Citicar

35. 1974 Zagato Zele

An orange, three-wheeled microcar is displayed in an indoor exhibition with information boards and equipment in the background. The vehicle has a compact design, round headlights, and a front license plate reading "VLO 735M." The floor is covered in green carpet.

36. 1970 Pontiac “One” concept car

Two photos of a red sports car. The top image shows the car from the front angle, highlighting its sleek, aerodynamic design and distinctive headlights. The bottom image displays the rear view, showcasing its bold rear fenders and unique taillight setup.

37. 1993 Renault Racoon

A futuristic red concept car with a sleek design and large tires is shown in various desert settings. The car features a bubble-like cockpit, minimal windows, and is displayed in both driving and stationary positions with doors open in one of the images.

38. “1976 Unimog 406 double cab”

A green, vintage Unimog truck with a double cab is parked indoors against a distressed brick wall. The truck has a sturdy, industrial build, large off-road tires, and a flatbed cargo area. The setting appears to be an old warehouse or garage.

39. “Italdesign Columbus (A minivan that has two levels and a BMW V12 engine)”

Two images of the Renault Espace F1 concept car. The top image shows a side view against a building. The bottom image presents an overhead view with the doors and roof open, revealing a beige interior and the unique gullwing and butterfly door configuration.

40. 1955 Citroen Prototype C

A vintage, futuristic car with an egg-shaped, aerodynamic design, displayed on a platform. It has a cream-colored body, a large curved windshield, and round headlights. The sign in front reads "CITROËN Prototype C10 1956.

41. 1951 Studebaker Manta Ray

A vintage, cream-colored convertible car is parked on a street with lush green trees in the background. The car features a distinctive, pointed front end and a sleek, streamlined design. The roof is down, and bright sunlight illuminates the scene.

42. “Sbarro Super Eight, powered by a 3.0L V8 from a Ferrari 308 GTB”

Two images of a custom red hatchback car with a sporty design and wide body kit. The car has gold wheels, dual exhausts, and a rear spoiler. The front view shows a redesigned bumper and air vents, while the rear view highlights unique tail lights and a "CH" sticker.

43. 2001 Jeep Willys2 Concept

A rugged, open-top SUV with a silver and teal color scheme is parked on a scenic mountain overlook. The vehicle features large tires, a robust design, and distinctive grille, with a wooden fence and vast landscape visible in the background.

44. 1969 Fiat 128 Teenager beach car by Pininfarina

A yellow vintage convertible car with striped seats is parked on a rocky coastal area with the ocean in the background. The car has a minimalistic design with no roof or doors, and the scenery features a rough terrain with sparse vegetation.

45. 1966 Bronco Dune Duster Concept

Two women are posing with a vintage Ford Bronco concept car. The top image shows them standing in and near the front of the car on a lawn. The bottom image shows them posing on and around the back of the car. The vehicle is convertible with open rooftop and tailgate.

46. 1939 General Motors Futurliner

A streamlined, retro-futuristic red and white bus with a large "GM" emblem on the front, designed with an aerodynamically rounded nose. The bus is parked in an industrial area with old vehicles and a highway in the background.

47. Cliff Hall’s 1969 Corwin Getaway

48. 1976 Lawil William Lambretta Postman

49. “2022 Hyundai N Vision 74 Concept”

50. “1968 Super Charger Concept with 1.000 bhp”

51. “Delorean 2021 Concept by Angel Guerra”

52. “Toyota MR2 222D. The all-wheel drive first generation MR2 rally car concept that never got to race in Group S.”

53. Chrysler Turbine Car (1963)

A red Chrysler Turbine Car (1963) vintage concept car — 5_frog_martin

This concept car was powered by a turbine engine and had no pistons or spark plugs.

54. Toyota EX-II (1970)

Photo of a tan Toyota EX-II (1970) concept car — mike_pants

This was Toyota’s vision of an electric city car in the 1970s.

55. “A 1976 Land Cruiser FJ 40 turned into a Hot Rod”

A custom beige hot rod vehicle with a vintage, rugged design is parked on a grassy area. It has large off-road tires, a modified front grille, and an overall retro aesthetic. Trees and a wire fence are visible in the background.

Want to see more car content?

Check out 20 Iconic Muscle Cars from the 1970s, or take a look at 20 Coolest Cars from the 1930s. Finally, if you want to see classic cars from the early ’40s, check out 40 Classic Cars from the Early 1940s.

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cars, classic cars, funny, slides

Meet the Writer

Patrick Nichols

Patrick is a writer based in upstate New York, where he grew up and still calls home. Over the past year, he’s been diving deep into storytelling, especially tales rooted in history, the Wild West, lost treasures, and ancient artifacts. He’s also drawn to unsolved mysteries and whatever the internet can’t stop talking about.

Whether it’s a centuries-old legend or a bizarre internet rabbit hole, Patrick is always chasing the threads of a compelling story. When he’s not chasing stories, Pat’s probably hiking mountain trails with his dog, exploring new corners of the U.S., or doom-scrolling between hangouts with friends and family. He finds inspiration in nature, forgotten places, and random conversations—anything that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s city streets or backcountry paths, Patrick’s always on the lookout for the next great story.