Oddities

The Trident's one-horsepower motor feeds a two-speed transmission. Steering is done via a tiller that resembles a shovel handle.

In 1975, a custom coach-builder in Michigan was authorized to build Eldorado-based station wagons ordered via Cadillac dealerships.

The early '70s SP2 was Volkswagen's answer to the Puma, Brazil’s fiberglass-bodied sports car.

Consider the wonderful strangeness of the Wankel, V-5, V-16—and the elusive gas vapor engine.

The small turbo looks like a performance car, with a cute hood scoop, blacked-out bumpers, and racing wheels.

There’s a special charm in cars that most people see as weird. On the other hand, exotics are mostly useless in everyday street driving.

This adorable and very rare 1969 Ami (French for friend) is the station wagon variant, or Break in Citroën speak.

The rare 1967 example on eBay is the ultra-rare version equipped for catering purposes.

The 1970 Datsun 521 is an impressive package. It's a daily driver, a hoonigan work truck, and a classic head-turner all rolled into one.

Celebrity owners of the Mercedes-Benz 600 limo included John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, David Bowie, and Elvis.

While they were created for tight spaces in urban Japan, they seem ripe for conversion into a #VanLife adventure vehicle in the US.

There's a well-preserved Florida '74 Gremlin X V-8. Then again, the shiny orange survivor driven by Eminem and Beastie Boys looks good.

The Imp, like the Mini, was a brilliant design that made excellent use of available space. And it became a successful rally car.

Dean Ing, an aerospace engineer and science-fiction writer, designed the gull-wing bodywork and double-bubble roof.

Automotive history needs to make room for Bruce Mohs. He created the SafariKar, a hunting vehicle with the upholstery on the outside.

The Amphicar is one of the most unusual entries in automotive history. The impeccable example on eBay is selling for $140,000.

It takes the vision and skill of a brave car builder to transform a Volkswagen Beetle into a cute, custom pickup.

The exact number of Egidi Eldorado pickups is anyone’s guess. But the Caddy pickups are, without a doubt, very rare.

The one-of-a-kind wagon was constructed from two other ’62 Darts—a two-door hardtop and a four-door wagon.

Most folks will assume that the Autovilla compact motorhome is the product of a backyard builder. That's not the case.

Local Motors produced the Rally Fighter for about seven years, following its introduction in 2009. Only about 100 were made.