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Cars have tried to be more than mere boxes on wheels, and boy, have things gotten weird. Some look like pyramids, others like submarines, and a few barely qualify as cars at all. If you thought minivans were the height of automotive excitement, wait till you see what happens when engineers let their imaginations run wild. There are plenty of wild rides ahead—just keep reading.

Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury In Motion

Picture a self-driving living room on wheels. The Mercedes-Benz F 015, unveiled in 2015, features rotating lounge seats and voice and gesture controls. It also incorporates a hydrogen-electric powertrain, showcasing cutting-edge technology. Rather than focusing on driving, it emphasizes relaxing in the future of mobility.

Rinspeed SQuba Submarine Car

Here’s the world’s most unique convertible, literally. The Rinspeed sQuba is based on the Lotus Elise and can plunge 10 meters underwater with three electric motors. Inspired by James Bond, it even has a breathing system for passengers. 

Peel P50 Microcar

Meet the world’s tiniest production car—so compact, it weighs just 130 pounds and can be dragged like luggage. The Peel P50, made on the Isle of Man, famously lacks a reverse gear. It became a Top Gear icon for its urban antics and undeniable charm.

GM Firebird III Jet-Powered Car

In 1959, the GM Firebird III turned heads with more than just its design. Jet-powered and joystick-controlled, it introduced radar systems and self-driving functions decades before they were mainstream. The sleek fiberglass body sealed its spot as a showstopper at Motorama.

Citroen Karin Pyramid Car

The Citroen Karin shattered design norms with its sharp, triangular shape. Revealed at the 1980 Paris Motor Show, it placed the driver front and center, flanked by two side passengers. More sculpture than sedan, this “rolling pyramid” was built to spark conversation—not hit the streets.

BMW GINA Light Visionary Model

Imagine a car covered in fabric that morphs on demand. The BMW GINA uses stretchable material instead of metal, with electric and hydraulic systems shaping its body. Its headlights “open” like eyelids. Though never mass-produced, it changed BMW’s design thinking forever.

Amphicar Model 770

Why choose land or water when you can have both? The Amphicar Model 770, a mass-produced amphibious car, cruised at 70 mph on roads and 7 knots on water. Twin propellers powered its aquatic adventures, and over 3,000 found homes; some even crossed the English Channel.

Dymaxion Car By Buckminster Fuller

A three-wheeled wonder built for efficiency, the Dymaxion could seat 11 and hit 90 mph in 1933. Its rear-wheel steering gave it airplane-like agility. Sadly, a crash during a demo and only three ever made left this futuristic vision just a tantalizing glimpse.

Toyota I-ROAD

Ultra-compact and nimble, the Toyota i-ROAD is a three-wheeler with active lean tech, tilting like a motorcycle but staying stable. At just 870mm wide, it’s perfect for congested cities. Pilot programs in Tokyo and France put this futuristic commuter to the test.

Brubaker Box

The ’70s gave us the Brubaker Box, a sci-fi-inspired fiberglass van on a VW Beetle chassis. Its sleek sliding door and modular seating made it a symbol of California car culture. With under 30 surviving, it’s a rare relic of DIY ingenuity and retro cool.