3 of 9

Write now Article Tools

Ten cars no one has heard of:

1. Zephyr 88, attempted to use a helium balloon to reduce weight and improve gas mileage. Unfortunately, it also reduced handling to the point where driving with the wind was your only option.

2. Accordion 1200, designed to make parking easier, this vehicle could fold into half its length at the touch of a button. It was discontinued when problems with the locking mechanism that kept it extended for driving could not be resolved.

3. Battering Ram 850, a street version of the famous demolition derby car. The initial production run was recalled after collision rates for the vehicle reached 800% of the national average.

4. Super Stealth 40,000, this high tech sports car was designed from the ground up to beat all known forms of police surveillance. It was far too successful and production was halted after no one could find the first showroom vehicles.

5. The Emperor's New Car 1200, while production still continues, this vehicle is now marketed as the golf cart it is, after a court injunction forced salesmen to cease insisting that only "really smart" people could see the luxury car as it actually appears.

6. Real Flying Car 1403, while this vehicle performed very well in tests, it was recalled after the manufacturer realized that most people can barely manage to drive in two dimensions, let alone three.

7. Safety Special 222, designed to be the world's safest car, the 222 had every conceivable gadget to prevent harm to the driver and passengers, all controlled by a bank of computers under the guidance of an artificial intelligence program. Since the AI program insisted that, 95% of the time, the safest thing was to not allow the car to start, the 222 was redesigned without the computer systems and sold as the Pretty Safe Special 111.

8. Flaming Devil 666, a remarkably low cost high performance sports car that, initially, drew lots of good press. While most potential buyers never noticed the fine print about selling their souls, very few were willing to sign in their own blood, and production was halted.

9. Lap of Luxury 2525, the ultimate luxury sedan. Too luxurious as it turned out. While this "car" is still produced, since no one really wanted to do more than relax and revel in the super comfortable interior, a motor is no longer included.

10. Penny Pincher 1, the world's least expensive car. Every thing was done to save cost, from using aluminum foil for body panels to placing dealerships on cheap land far outside of town. While the list price of $95.99 appealed to a sizable consumer group, it soon became apparent that almost none would shell out the price of a bus ticket.

Good luck and good cars.

Learn more about this author, Farmer Bob.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about 10 cars in history that flopped?
We want to hear your view. Write now!