If you’ve attended any auto shows in the past, you’ve likely found that some of the most interesting submissions are the concept cars. Some of them are pretty tame, with the purpose of showing you what will be entering a particular brand’s lineup in the next few years. But others are absolutely wild, displaying strange shapes and configurations as well as technological wizardry that, in some cases, hasn’t even been invented yet (it’s more of a dream than a reality). But the world of concept cars has always embraced the ideal of showing what is possible (although not necessarily what is sure to take off). And here are a few of the wildest designs to ever hit the show-floor.
1. Ford FX Atmos. With a body that looks like a cross between the Batmobile (the old-school version) and the car from The Jetsons (although it appeared earlier than either of these TV show automobiles), this car looks futuristic even by today’s standards. The streamlined body and bubble top are somewhat at odds with the stingray headlights and finned rear panels, making this car appear to have some kind of otherworldly juxtaposition. But apparently that’s just what Ford was going for with their futuristic design, which debuted at the 1954 Chicago motor show, apparently to gasps of delight from the audience.
Ford FX Atmos – Photo Courtesy of Motor Trend
2. Ford Gyron. Not to knock Ford, but they had some pretty crazy concepts that never made it to production. This bullet-shaped two-seater, released in 1961, rode on only two wheels, with the inclusion of a gyroscope for balance. Unfortunately, it basically amounted to an enclosed motorcycle and lacked the appeal needed to entice consumers from either the car or the motorcycle market (of course, it’s not quite as bad as the Machimoto, a motorcycle-car designed to hold nine).
Ford Gyron – Photo Courtesy of The New York Times
3. Chrysler Voyager III. This 1990 vehicle could be considered the first attempt at a crossover vehicle (before the era of SUVs) if it hadn’t taken such a belly flop. The car was basically a two-in-one, with seating for eight with what looks a ginormous camper trailer and seating for three in the detachable front end (a city-size compact). Not only ugly, but inefficient. It’s like owning two cars in one, but both of them suck.
Chrysler Voyager III – Photo Courtesy of Chrysler
4. Renault Racoon. This French car company has long produced vehicles that suited every stripe of driver, but the Raccoon, which premiered in 1992, is one they should have abandoned in the wilderness. It looks like someone slapped a computer mouse on wheels and called it a car. And with a notoriously finicky suspension, the handling was just as bad as the appearance. Renault’s goal with this crazy concept remains unclear…even to them.
Renault Racoon – Photo Courtesy of Renault
5. Honda Fuya-Jo. This car, which debuted at the 1999 Tokyo motor show, looks a little bit like a vacuum cleaner without a handle. Despite the sub-compact size of the cabin, there are four seats in this vehicle. But the tall, lean profile and teeny-tiny wheels almost assure that a turn at high speeds (if you could reach high speeds in this vehicle) would result in the whole works toppling over. And with little reinforcement and a lot of glass, very few people would be willing to risk it.
Honda Fuya-Jo – Photo Courtesy of Honda
About the author: Sarah Danielson writes for Boston Garage Equipment where you can find a MOT socket tester and a comprehensive range of garage equipment that is manufactured to exact standards.