Ever stumbled across a car and thought, “Wait, what is that?” Forgotten cars are the misfits of the automotive world. The ones that were too weird, too early, or just plain unlucky. But trust me, these machines had stories worth telling. Buckle up, because we’re digging up some true automotive oddballs you’ll wish you remembered.
Why Bother With Forgotten Cars Anyway?
Here’s the thing. Every forgotten car tells a story. Some were ahead of their time, others were just plain weird, but all of them took a shot at doing something different. In a world full of lookalike SUVs, it’s refreshing to look back at the bold, the bizarre, and the beautifully flawed that were once seen on the famous routes in the USA. These rides didn’t follow the rules – and that’s exactly why they’re worth remembering.
Believe it or not, a study by Hagerty Insider revealed that nearly 25% of cars from the 1991–2002 model years had vanished from US roads by 2021 – a stark reminder of just how quickly once-common cars can fade into obscurity. Sure, the Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla rivalry is still going strong, but remember the Nissan 370Z vs Infiniti G37? That’s the kind of matchup that’s already fading into the rearview mirror of history.
And while we’re on the topic of rare rides, debates like Hyundai Tucson vs Honda CR-V or even GMC Sierra vs Chevy Silverado might dominate today – but once upon a time, we had oddballs you’ve never heard of stealing the spotlight.
These Cars Are Too Strange to Stay Forgotten
Get ready to meet some of the wildest rides ever built. These aren’t your average grocery-getters or freeway flyers. Nope – these cars took risks, made statements, and in some cases, totally crashed and burned. But that’s what makes them fun to look back on. Whether they were futuristic flops, design disasters, or just way ahead of their time, every one of them has something unforgettable about it.
Here’s a quick rundown of the wildest rides ever built:
- 1955 Ghia Streamline X “Gilda” – Looks like it belongs in outer space,
- 1958 Facel Vega Excellence – French-American fusion that confused everyone,
- Subaru SVX – Sporty, sleek, and window logic from another planet,
- Isuzu VehiCROSS – Rugged beast with a comic book name,
- GM EV1 – The electric pioneer they literally destroyed,
- Amphicar – The car-boat hybrid no one asked for,
- Pontiac Aztek – Once a meme, now kinda cool,
- DeLorean DMC-12 – A flop turned pop culture legend.
Some were bold, some were bizarre, and some were just plain unlucky. But they all earned a spot in the forgotten car hall of fame. Let’s bring them back into the spotlight.
The Car That Looked Like a Spaceship Crashed
One look and you’d swear it came from Mars. The 1955 Ghia Streamline X “Gilda” had curves in all the wrong places but turned heads like no other. Built to test aerodynamics, it looked more like something George Jetson would drive. It never hit production, but it lives on as a reminder of just how wild designers once dreamed.
This car was all about going fast and looking strange. It had fins that looked like it could take off. It didn’t, obviously. But it helped inspire future concepts that dared to ditch the boxy mold. Today, it’s chilling in museums while people walk by thinking it’s a movie prop.
When America Tried to Be French and Failed
The 1958 Facel Vega Excellence was a luxury with a side of ego. Imagine a French car with American muscle under the hood. Sounds great, right? Except nobody could quite figure out what it wanted to be. A limo? A cruiser? A driveway ornament?
It had suicide doors, fine leather, and a price tag that could fund your kid’s college. But the brand tanked, and the Excellence disappeared into the shadows. Still, if you see one today, you’ll wonder why we ever let it vanish.
The One That Died Because It Was Too Smart
Remember the GM EV1? Probably not, because they literally crushed most of them. This electric car came out in the ’90s and was way ahead of its time. Quiet, quick, and crazy efficient. But oil still ruled the world, and the EV1 didn’t stand a chance, whether it was the best EV to ever bless the roads or not.
Some say conspiracy, others say timing. Either way, GM pulled the plug and the world moved on. Now it’s a legend in EV circles and a sad reminder of what could’ve been. If only it had come out 20 years later.
This Car Could Float But Still Sank
In a world obsessed with luxury electric cars, it’s easy to forget the wild ideas automakers once dared to try. While everyone’s hyped about new cars for 2025, these forgotten models remind us that bold ideas don’t always follow the rules – or the timelines. Some of these forgotten rides that actually existed paved the way for today’s most iconic designs – even if no one remembers their names.
For example, the Amphicar is exactly what it sounds like. A car that could drive into the water and keep going. Sounds like the ultimate vacation vehicle, right? Well, not quite. It was slow, leaky, and handled like a fridge with wheels. But people loved the idea. Only a few thousand were made. Most ended up in lakes… permanently. It’s one of those cars people remember for the wrong reasons. But admit it, you’d still try one if you could.
The Forgotten Cars That Tried Too Hard
Some cars just tried too much and achieved too little. Take the Subaru SVX for example. A sleek sports car with weird airplane-inspired windows. Cool in theory. Awkward in execution. Drivers had to duck just to roll down the window.
Then there’s the Isuzu VehiCROSS. Built like a tank with a name like a Marvel villain. It looked tough, but not even Isuzu could figure out who it was for. These rides aimed for the future but landed in the bargain bin of history.
The Subaru SVX Had Spaceship Vibes Before It Was Cool
The SVX looked like it came from the future, with its swooping lines and windows-inside-windows design that still makes people scratch their heads. Under the hood, it had real performance chops. But it was expensive and too weird for most folks.
Now? Weird is good. If Subaru brought back the SVX with an all-wheel-drive electric platform and those wild windows, it would be an instant classic for the next generation of car nerds. Bonus points if they give it a turbocharged spaceship sound.
The Isuzu VehiCROSS Was Built for Instagram
Before rugged was trendy, the VehiCROSS was already out there looking like a concept car that somehow escaped the design lab. It had cladding, crazy curves, and a stance that screamed comic book superhero SUV. But no one really knew what to do with it.
Flash forward to today and people are obsessed with unique, rugged off-roaders. An electric VehiCROSS with real trail chops and that same bonkers body would blow up on social media. It was just too early for its own greatness.
The Forgotten Cars That Could Make a Comeback
Nostalgia is a powerful thing. Just look at the rise of retro-styled rides and vintage car collectors. Models like the Pontiac Aztek, once a punchline, are now weirdly loved. Same with the DeLorean. It flopped, then Back to the Future turned it into a time machine icon.
These once-forgotten rides are getting attention again. Could they return with electric motors and modern tech? It’s possible. And honestly, we’d love to see a few of these misfits roll back onto the road and confuse the heck out of the next generation.
The Pontiac Aztek Is Weird Enough to Work Today
Let’s be honest – this thing looked like a confused Transformer. But now? The boxy chaos of the Aztek has aged into a kind of cult cool. It was ahead of its time in a weird way, offering modular camping gear, a built-in cooler, and yes, even a tent.
In today’s world of over-accessorized crossovers, a revived electric Aztek could actually thrive. Lean into the weirdness, toss in some off-road chops and quirky features, and boom – it’s the car of choice for hipster road-trippers everywhere.
The DeLorean Deserves a Second Shot at the Future
The DMC-12 flopped hard when it launched. It was underpowered and overpriced, and John DeLorean’s legal drama didn’t help. But pop culture saved it. Thanks to Back to the Future, this stainless steel wedge is now one of the most iconic cars ever made.
And guess what? A comeback is already in the works. A new DeLorean Alpha5 EV is in development, and it looks slick. Will it live up to the hype? Who knows – but if it gets even close to the original’s time-traveling charm, we’re in.
The GM EV1 Could Be the Comeback King
This one hurts. The GM EV1 was ahead of its time – a sleek, all-electric car from the 90s that proved EVs could work long before Tesla was even a thing. And what did GM do? They took them all back and crushed them. Yeah. Crushed.
With today’s electric boom, a modern EV1 reboot would be poetic justice. Give it an updated range, sleek retro styling, and a new name that doesn’t sound like a printer. People would eat it up – and GM could finally redeem itself.
The Amphicar Could Totally Be a Yacht Club Meme
Is it a car? Is it a boat? Yes. The Amphicar was the floating little weirdo no one saw coming in the 60s. It could cruise on land and float across lakes, even if it kind of did both poorly. But it was fun, and that’s the point.
Imagine a modern EV Amphicar with better waterproofing and a Bluetooth speaker system for lakeside picnics. It wouldn’t be practical but it would be hilarious. And honestly, it would sell like crazy in Florida.
The Forgotten Cars We Can’t Stop Thinking About
The world of forgotten cars is way bigger than you think. We’re not just talking about old sedans with faded paint and cracked dashboards. We’re talking about forgotten muscle cars that once rumbled down drag strips, JDM vehicles that were sleeper legends in the tuner scene, and sports rides that once gave Ferraris a scare – then vanished without a trace. Some were ahead of their time. Others were just weird. But every one of them had something that made you look twice.
Forgotten Powerhouses and Concept Ghosts
Take the forgotten muscle cars like the AMC AMX or the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II. These weren’t your average Mustangs and Camaros – they had power, style, and a little bit of that “how the heck did I forget this thing?” energy.
Over in Japan, forgotten JDM cars like the Autozam AZ-1 or Nissan Pulsar GTI-R were compact chaos machines, proving that performance doesn’t have to come in a big package. And don’t get us started on forgotten concept cars – like the 1986 Pontiac Pursuit or the 1991 BMW Nazca M12 – that looked like something out of Blade Runner, then disappeared like a mirage at a car show.
The Rebels of the Road Less Traveled
Even forgotten sports cars like the TVR Sagaris or the Opel Speedster had that rare mix of design flair and raw driving fun. They weren’t built for mass appeal – they were built to break the mold. And maybe that’s why they’re still so captivating. In a sea of safe design and badge engineering, these lost legends remind us that sometimes the wheelers that fail hardest are the ones that dared the most.
Final Thoughts from an Automotive Nostalgia Nerd
Here’s what I think. We’re living in a time when cars are getting smarter but looking blander. People want emotion, not just automation. The more we go digital, the more we crave things with stories. Forgotten cars might just find new life in this retro-obsessed era.
So don’t be surprised if you see an old oddball nameplate return with a new look and electric heart. If it happens, I’m calling it now… the future is going to look weird, and I’m totally here for it.
