The 1960s gave us some of America’s most-loved classic cars, but alongside icons like the Mustang and Corvette, there were vehicles that looked truly unusual. Car makers were chasing the space age aesthetic and experimenting with bold new ideas, testing anything that felt futuristic.
What made these cars so strange wasn’t just their appearance, it was the daring concepts behind them. Engineers tried everything from jet-style engines to cars that could float. Looking back, these forgotten models show just how willing automakers were to push boundaries. The ’60s weren’t only about style, it was a decade when almost any idea could end up on four wheels.
1. Peel P50 (1962–1965)
Built by the Peel Engineering Company, this three-wheeled microcar was later recognized by Guinness World Records as the smallest production car ever made. Designed to carry one adult and a single bag of groceries, it famously had no reverse gear.
2. Amphicar Model 770 (1961–1968)
Manufactured in Germany, the Amphicar was both a road vehicle and a boat. It used propellers and its front tires as rudders to cruise on water at up to seven knots. Nearly 4,000 were built, making it the most commercially successful amphibious civilian car in history.
3. Chrysler Turbine Car (1963–1964)
This bronze-colored car ran on twin jet turbines that could burn almost anything, according to legend. Chrysler loaned about 50 of them to American families for daily testing, but once the experiment ended, nearly all were destroyed.
4. NSU Wankel Spider (1964)
The first production car to use a rotary engine, this German roadster was smooth but prone to overheating and rapid wear. It became more of a fascinating curiosity than a practical daily driver.
5. Austin Mini Moke (1964)
Originally designed as a military vehicle, the Moke proved impractical for combat. With no doors, no weather protection, and minimal ground clearance, it instead became a civilian favorite in beach towns and resorts.
Trending on Wealth Gang
6. Reliant Regal (1962–1973)
This three-wheeled British car was built to dodge stricter tax and licensing rules. It leaned alarmingly in corners and later gained fame as Del Boy’s car in Only Fools and Horses.
7. Subaru 360 (1958–1970)
Nicknamed the ladybug for its rounded shape, this tiny Japanese car weighed under 1,000 pounds. Its rear-mounted two-stroke engine made it surprisingly popular in the U.S. during the late 1960s.
8. Messerschmitt KR200 (1964)
Built by a company once famous for fighter planes, the KR200 featured a bubble canopy, tandem seating, and handlebar steering. Its narrow design made it exceptionally fuel-efficient.
Sign up for our newsletter
9. Corvair Greenbrier (1961–1965)
Chevrolet’s answer to the VW Bus, the Greenbrier had a rear engine and a flat nose, leaving almost no crumple zone. It shared the controversial layout of the Corvair sedan.
10. Studebaker Avanti (1962–1965)
With a fiberglass body and airplane-inspired dashboard, the Avanti was Studebaker’s bold attempt to survive. Though it didn’t save the company, its futuristic styling lived on through hand-built versions for years.
11. Mazda Cosmo Sport (1967)
Mazda’s first rotary-powered car proved the twin-rotor engine could work reliably. Sleek and futuristic, it set the stage for Mazda’s rotary obsession that lasted decades.
12. King Midget
Sold through mail order and hardware stores, the King Midget was as bare-bones as cars came: a single-cylinder engine, minimal bodywork, and a rock-bottom price.
13. Goggomobil
This German microcar came in sedan, coupe, van, and pickup versions. Some models used a motorcycle-style shift lever, making driving feel halfway between a car and a scooter.
14. GAZ-13 Chaika
The Soviet Union’s luxury sedan borrowed heavily from outdated Detroit styling. Reserved for government officials, its flashy design stood as a Cold War contradiction.
15. Zündapp Janus
Named after the two-faced Roman god, the Janus seated passengers facing opposite directions, split by a mid-mounted engine. Entry was through doors at each end, creating one of the strangest layouts ever.
Interested in more fun Automotive content?
Check out 15 Classic Cars Nobody Wanted That Became Collector Favorites. If you’re more curious about the everyday rides that shaped American households, 10 Cars That Defined the American Middle Class traces the models families actually lived in. And on the other end, 11 Stars With the Most Expensive Car Collections rounds up the celebrity garages worth more than most people’s homes.
