53 of the Strangest and Most Obscure 4-Wheeled Vehicles

More than a car guy, I’d say I’m someone who loves exciting design. Put an interesting angle on something, and I’ll stare at it. I started working on this article because I found a couple of interesting-looking cars and decided to pull on that thread and see what else was out there. With the help of some car forums and some great subreddits filled with people passionate about the weirder side of automobiles, I’ve become fascinated with concept cars and what could have been. There are cars on this list (I’m looking at you, 1979 Renha Formigao) that I would take a bullet for.

This is a list I’ve assembled of obscure rides, vintage concept cars, creative mods, and downright bizarre vehicles that are (mostly) on four wheels. Whether you’re a car nut or not, I hope there’s something here for you.

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.

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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.