Bond Bug
Don't be fooled by the name — James Bond has nothing to do with the Bond Bug. Although we'd love to see 007 behind the wheel of this '70s oddity! It's an incredibly distinctive car, boasting a pop-up canopy and a wedge-like body. On top of that, it's an absolute blast to drive. Fun Bug is a fitting nickname.
Aston Martin Lagonda
The Aston Martin Lagonda still has the power to raise eyebrows. It's such a bizarre-looking vehicle! It resembles a giant door wedge on wheels. But this '70s oddity is well-liked today. The radical design, and futuristic interior, has a real air of cool about it. And the Lagonda isn't the only funky car from that period to receive a reappraisal...
Bricklin SV-1
The Bricklin SV-1 is a proper feast for the eyes. The strange hood? Those gullwing doors? The angular rear? You could never accuse of it being boring! The car's now seen as one of the cooler offerings from the 1970s. It's too bad that the engine's a bit of a slowpoke, though. The V8 can't top 110 mph.
Porsche 914
"Unconventional" is probably the best word used to describe the Porsche 914. It's very minimalist — folks didn't know what to make of it back in the '70s. But now? It's a different story. Collectors have really taken to the car's strange design. Speaking of odd, our next entry sure is something...
Vanden Plas 1500
Have you ever wondered what a Rolls-Royce would look like if it shrunk in the wash? Well, say hello to the Vanden Plas 1500! This bizarre hatchback is incredibly luxurious — the interior will blow you away. It's seen as something of a classic nowadays, but good luck spotting one. It's really rare.
VW Thing
The VW Thing has to be the strangest name ever conceived for a vehicle, right? It's so bizarre! Mind you, it fits this motor like a glove. A foldable windshield? Removable doors? A minimalist body? The Thing has all that. But it works in a weird way. And now, it's looked upon as a cool option.
Citroën Mehari
Is the Citroën Mehari a long-lost brother of the VW Thing? They're eerily similar. This motor has a lightweight plastic body, a weird push-pull gear shifter that looks like an umbrella handle, and unusual seats. It shouldn't work — but it absolutely does! The Mehari now has a pretty dedicated cult following.
Lancia Stratos HF Zero
The Lancia Stratos HF Zero is a concept car that never made it into mass-production. And boy, is it interesting! At 33 inches high, this thing is absolutely tiny compared to most motors. But its striking look will catch your eye. The wedge shape, the flip-open windshield, and the collapsible steering wheel are insanely cool.
Ferrari Pininfarina 512 S Modulo
Wow — where do we start with this weird beauty! The Ferrari Pininfarina 512 S Modulo is another concept motor, boasting an eye-popping design. It wouldn't look out of place in a sci-fi movie, right? The car was originally supposed to house a V12 engine, capable of reaching 220 mph. What a sight that could've been.
Alfa Romeo Montreal
The Alfa Romeo Montreal is a bit of a visual oddity. Its headlight covers, NACA duct, and C-pillar vents continue to catch the eye. But the car itself is a great performer. It handles brilliantly and can produce 200 horsepower thanks to its V8 engine. It's no wonder that folks like it so much today.
GMC Caballero
The GMC Caballero is almost identical to the Chevrolet El Camino. Despite that, though, it couldn't match the latter's success. It's a strange case — plenty of people didn't even know this thing existed in the '70s! The Caballero is a rarity nowadays, but it's looked upon much more favorably.
Manic GT
A Canadian sports car? That's strange enough by itself! But the Manic GT doesn't lack weirdness when it comes to its design. From the curvy body to the eye-catching face, it looks like a vehicle from Disney's Cars franchise. It's fondly remembered today, though. Can the same be said about the next entry?
Vector W2
The Vector W2 is a remarkable motor from the late '70s. Its stylishly odd body houses a twin-turbo V8 engine, capable of producing a whopping 600 horsepower. Woah. The car can also hit speeds of 242 mph. Impressive stuff, right! Who wouldn't want to try this thing out today?
Mini Marcos
People often describe the Mini Marcos as a quirky creation — and we have to agree! Its exterior design is really odd. We're drawn to the headlights in particular. But boy, can this car move. It's capable of passing 100 mph and offers some thrilling performances behind the wheel.
Stutz Blackhawk
The Stutz Blackhawk deserves its place on this list for the hood alone. It's absolutely enormous! But there are other strange aspects here. The blend of classic and futuristic styling gives the car a very unique look, while the interior is unapologetically opulent. To call it lavish feels like an understatement.
Chrysler Cordoba
We'll be blunt here — the Chrysler Cordoba is ridiculously bizarre. Why? Well, just look at it! The car has a jaw-dropping 215.3-inch body, resembling that of a barge. But here's the kicker, folks. Despite its massive size, the Cordoba can only seat four people. Motor enthusiasts still love it, though.
AMC Pacer
Pudgy and bulbous aren't the most flattering descriptors when it comes to cars. But they perfectly sum up the AMC Pacer. What an oddity this thing is! It's unlikely to win many beauty contests. Thanks to its memorable appearance in Wayne's World, though, the Pacer is a permanent part of pop culture now.
Pinto Cruising Wagon
Everyone shares the same reaction when looking at the Pinto Cruising Wagon for the first time — "what?!" It's such a unique vehicle. Parts of the exterior are more van-like than that of a station wagon. The bubble windows are a good example. It's an easy motor to love.
AMC Matador
The AMC Matador is a very blocky vehicle. And it's fair to say that folks didn't like it that much back in the '70s! That's not the case today, though. The Matador's seen as a cool retro motor now because of its bold, weird style.
Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser 455
Is the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser 455 the prettiest of cars? Probably not. But is it fondly remembered today? Absolutely! This '70s vehicle houses a beast of a V8 under the hood. At full-pelt, it can produce 390 horsepower. Trust us folks, that's not a typo.
Volvo 262C
The Volvo 262C is a very hard car to ignore. From the tank-like body to the vinyl roof, it has a distinctive appearance. The interior isn't too shabby, either! It's certainly an oddity, but people continue to be drawn to it all these decades later.
Mazda RX-500
One of the flashiest concept cars of the '70s, the Mazda RX-500 is gloriously bonkers. Alongside its eye-catching shape, it sports multi-colored rear lights that change depending on your speed. Speaking of speed, it can hit 150 mph on the road. Imagine if this thing made production!
Vauxhall SRV
What kind of car would you say that the Vauxhall SRV is? We'll be completely honest with you, folks — you won't get it! Surprisingly, this '70s concept motor is meant to be a four-seater sedan. Crazy, right? Even so, it's still weirdly cool.
Peugeot Peugette
The Peugeot Peugette is absolutely mesmerizing. Just look at its symmetry. It's perfect. This concept car isn't the fastest, though. It only has a top speed of 96 mph. But be honest with us — you'd still like to drive it, right? We wouldn't blame you!
Skoda 110 Super Sport
The pop-up headlights. The lift-up one-piece canopy. The eye-popping body! Yep, the Skoda 110 Super Sport is a beautifully bonkers concept car that's stood the test of time. It's even starred in a cult movie. Fans of obscure horror might remember it from 1982's Ferat Vampire.
Maserati Boomerang
The Maserati Boomerang just oozes style. As far as '70s concept cars go, it's a keeper. But the dashboard? Holy smokes, is it weird! All the dials have been huddled into a cramped circle, which sits under the steering wheel. You've got to admire the boldness.
AMC Gremlin
The rear-end of the AMC Gremlin looks like it's been chopped off. It's always been seen as an interesting design choice. But the Gremlin's oddness has stopped it from being forgotten. The car is now considered a cult classic because of its strange appearance.
Buick Riviera
Some consider the 1970s Buick Riviera to be more of a Bloated Riviera. The exterior design is certainly unique, wouldn't you agree? But not everyone hates it. In fact, many enthusiasts have grown to love this car. Is that the case for our next entry, though?
Ford Thunderbird
Hands up if you're a fan of the 1970 Ford Thunderbird. Don't be shy — lots of folks like it now! Its strange design has always been a sticking point, though. The beak-style projection at the front of the car is a very odd choice.
Saab Sonett III
With an elongated hood and a truncated rear, the Saab Sonett III is a strange vehicle to look at. But it does grow on you. The unique design has definitely found its fans today, as the car is highly coveted by collectors.
Subaru GL Coupe
Proportionally, the Subaru GL Coupe is pretty odd. It looks like much of the rear-end has been sliced off. Despite that, though, car fans continue to be drawn towards it. A distinctive style isn't always bad news, folks.
Ford Mustang II
The Ford Mustang II faced a lot of flack following its release. From the engine to the overall look, everything seemed to be criticized. Today, though? It's constantly being reassessed — and for the better! There's no shame in admitting if you like it now.
Chevrolet Aerovette
Would you turn your nose up at the Chevrolet Aerovette? We didn't think so — this strange stunner is one of the best concept cars of the '70s. The wedge design, the gull-wing doors, and the adjustable steering wheel are all awesome. But how does it compare to our final entry?
Through: PraxisLD / Reddit