There are several awesome cars that, for one reason or another, just weren’t a hit with the public. It’s not that they’re necessarily bad; they just somehow slipped through the cracks. Whether it was bad timing or just plain old bad luck, here are 18 rides that deserve a second look.
The Almost Revolutionary
The Tucker Torpedo was a car from the 1940s with seat belts and a padded dashboard, which was quite advanced back then. Sadly, only 51 cars were ever made, as high production costs and legal issues caused major problems. What could have been a revolutionary car became a rare collector’s item.
Not Just a Punchline
While many people joke about the Edsel as one of Ford’s biggest blunders, it’s worth another look. This car had some pretty cool technology like the “Teletouch” transmission system, which let drivers shift gears with buttons on the steering wheel. Unfortunately, its odd grille and high price made the Edsel a tough sell.
The Beauty That Flew Too Close to the Sun
Undoubtedly, the Studebaker Avanti was a stunning car, thanks to its sleek appearance and powerful engine. When it came out, it even set speed records. Sadly, that wasn’t enough to solve Studebaker’s financial issues, forcing them to pull the plug on this beauty way too soon.
Lost Anglo-Japanese Luxury
The Sterling was a mix of British luxury and Japanese reliability that came after a partnership between Rover and Honda. You’d think those leather seats would be enough to make it successful, but unfortunately not. The car wasn’t particularly reliable, and people soon forgot about this Anglo-Japanese experiment.
Safety First, but Not for Long
The Bricklin SV-1 was one of the first cars designed with safety as a top priority, thanks to its gull-wing doors and a body that could really take a hit. But that came at a high price and plenty of production issues. Once it came out, the Bricklin SV-1 vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.
Comfort Lost in Translation
Renault tried to appeal to American drivers in the ‘80s with the Medallion, which was meant to be a comfortable and smooth ride. While it did have the looks and feel, the Medallion just didn’t click with the American market. This was mostly because of the fierce competition it faced and the car’s bad timing.
The NASCAR Hero That Time Forgot
Believe it or not, the Hudson Hornet was a beast on the NASCAR circuit in the early ’50s, thanks to its innovative “step-down” design. This gave it a lower center of gravity and better handling, which helped it dominate the race tracks, but when Hudson merged with Nash, the Hornet got lost in the shuffle. It’s a piece of racing history that deserves more limelight.
More Than Just a Movie Prop
Thanks to “Back to the Future,” most people remember the DeLorean DMC-12 for its time-traveling abilities rather than its real-life performance. Its poor engine couldn’t justify the high price tag, so the car couldn’t find its audience beyond the silver screen. Honestly, it’s a real shame.
Turbocharged but Troubled
The Oldsmobile Jetfire was one of the first cars to have a turbocharged engine when it came out in 1962. Unfortunately, this car wasn’t easy to look after because of its turbo system, which needed special care, and most people didn’t want to deal with that. Such high maintenance issues meant that the car wasn’t exactly a hit or remembered.
The Little SUV That Couldn’t
In the early ’90s, the Daihatsu Rocky tried to make a name for itself by creating a compact SUV. The Rocky could handle off-road adventures pretty well, but it just didn’t have enough oomph or style to keep up with the big players like Jeep or Toyota. Eventually, the car simply faded into obscurity.
French Flair Meets Italian Power
Thanks to its Maserati engine, the Citroën SM was a mix of French luxury and Italian performance. This powerful car was meant to be the best of both worlds and handle like a dream. But as cool as it was, the Citroën SM was too complicated and expensive to maintain, which scared off many would-be owners.
Too Wild for the World
During the ’90s, the Isuzu VehiCROSS burst on the scene as an SUV that looked like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie. That bold design and solid off-road capabilities meant that it stood out from the crowd, but unfortunately, it was too different for most people’s tastes. They just weren’t interested.
America’s Forgotten Supercar
While the Vector W8 sounds like something from a comic book, it was a real car with aerospace technology and a pretty striking appearance. The manufacturers wanted America to be a country that made supercars, although the W8’s high cost prevented that. Most people didn’t think it was worth the price.
A Euro Ford That Missed the Mark
The Merkur XR4Ti was Ford’s attempt to bring a bit of Europeanness to America in the ’80s. It had a turbocharged engine and all the right features, but it just didn’t catch on because people were confused by the new brand. It also didn’t help that the car looked strange, which is a shame because it was fun to drive.
Innovator Turned Infamy
The Ford Pinto Wagon tried to be affordable and compact, with lots of room for kids and groceries. Thanks to its space-saving design and practical layout, it was actually pretty ahead of its time. Unfortunately, after a widely publicized recall, the car’s safety reputation took a hit, and people thought of it as more of a dangerous car than a futuristic one.
The Almost Sports Car
If you wanted a sports car that fit your friends and family, the AMC Marlin was the one for you. Its design was certainly unique and helped it stand out, but not always in a good way. Many consumers couldn’t figure out whether it was a family or sports car, so it completely flopped.
Retro Cool That Didn’t Catch On
The Plymouth Prowler was a real retro car that looked like a hot rod from the past with plenty of modern technology underneath. While it did turn heads for sure, this car wasn’t exactly practical and didn’t offer much beyond its looks. Many car fans loved this car more because it was a novelty instead of something useful.
A Mid-Engine Pioneer Forgotten
The Fiat X1/9 was another car that was way ahead of its time. It was a small mid-engine sports car with great design and handling. It was fun to drive and looked pretty cool, but it struggled with rust problems, which sent it to an early grave. It’s a pity because it could have been a hit with sports car lovers.
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