In the current year, we (as car enthusiasts) are witnessing some of the most astounding automotive creations of all time. Cars that can surpass 300 mph, luxury beyond our wildest dreams, and appearances that'll stun onlookers for decades to come.
Yet, just as there are awesome car designs, there have also been those that have us scratching our heads and wondering what the purpose was in making them in the first place. Today, we intend to highlight those cars and not just the new ones, either.
The BMW Isetta is a good place to start, but we're not ending it there. Along with the one-seater Isetta, there are several cars that have us questioning their existence shown here.
8 BMW Isetta
When hearing the term 'one-seater, we usually imagine something like an open-wheel racecar. Perhaps a motorcycle-type vehicle, too. This time, it's something entirely different, this one-seater being the classic BMW Isetta.
OK, we were wrong in saying that the BMW Isetta isn't a motorcycle-type vehicle. As it turns out, the Isetta is powered by a BMW bike engine; a 250cc one, to be exact. Though, even with the reduced income of German citizens post-war, we have to imagine that BMW could've come up with something better, if not more practical for daily use.
7 2000 Honda Insight
At no point in time have we thought that wheel covers were the greatest look. Nevertheless, some carmakers insist on adding them. Case and point: the 2000 Honda Insight (mind the ironic name).
For a car with the title "Insight," Honda seems to have had very little of that while designing it. As if to make an Accord with the lines of a minivan, Honda clearly sought after a market that just wasn't there, as evidenced by the abysmal sales figures.
6 BMW Z1
Every good model has to start somewhere. Oftentimes, the first generation of a sports car will be a wash, since manufacturers may still be improving upon the basics. We'd argue that this is what took place during the first BMW Z-Series' creation.
Known as the 'Z1', the initial Z-Series was a bold car. The front and rear-end design were solid, but it's the doors that have us wondering "why?" Given that the doors fold into the body, rather than opening normally, it seems like a waste of time, cost, and weight to do something like that. It's just a gimmick, to us.
5 Volkswagen ‘Thing’
While BMW had made the Isetta as a post-war vehicle, Volkswagen would also produce their own type of car. Although theirs would be much more useful in daily life, along with military service, too.
The car in question is the VW 'Thing' - a late-'60s and early-'70s alternative to the Willys Jeep. Though that's just the thing, the VW Thing is too much like a Jeep. In fact, it feels like a cheap clone (an ugly one at that).
We understand why VW would try to capture that section of the market, but at least try something better than a Nazi-era-looking APC.
4 Stout Scarab
Many automotive manufacturers name their vehicles off of wildlife found around the world. For instance, Lamborghini and the Miura (referencing a famous fighting bull). However, we've seldom seen anyone take it as far as Stout did with the Scarab - Really going for that arthropod aesthetic.
As the name suggests, this van-like vehicle is certainly reminiscent of a scarab bug. We'd say it also has some hints to the VW Bug, as well, but only towards the front.
If you've got a large family to tote around, then we get purchasing a large vehicle. However, we'd suggest sticking to a normal van or SUV. The Scarab, although true to its name, is a bit too weird for us.
3 Fiat Multipla
Although we here at HotCars strongly denounce bullying in any form towards an individual, we can't say the same about teasing inanimate objects, such as cars. If we did, then we wouldn't be able to roast Fiat for making one of the ugliest 'family cars' ever to exist: the Fiat Multipla.
Like another Fiat, the Fiat Panda, the Multipla is a notoriously hideous car. At this point, they've become a meme within the automotive community. Some have modified them, while others have simply mocked them. Whatever position you take, you'll likely be on the "Multipla sucks" team.
2 Peel P50
Until watching a particular episode of Top Gear wherein Jeremy Clarkson made his own version of the Peel P50, we'd never even heard of the car before. Thank God we do now, though, because it's one heck of a laugh to be had!
The Peel P50 is famous for being the world's smallest car; able to be carried by a fully-grown man and set somewhere else if need be. Just don't expect to be comfortable driving one, though. Or very fast, for that matter.
1 Reliant Robin
Thought we were done referencing Top Gear U.K.? Well, we've got some news for you. For the final entry, why not conclude with one of the series most infamous vehicles: the Reliant Robin!
As anyone familiar with the Reliant Robin is aware, it's an extremely unstable car. Literally AND figuratively. If you're brave enough to make a turn going faster than a snail's pace, then expect to be on your side before too long. With the three-wheeled design, Reliant chose, rolling over is an inevitability, not just a possibility.