12 of the strangest cars the world has seen

Since the release of the first production car, the automotive world has evolved, perhaps, every decade. Models of a certain era are somehow similar to each other: in appearance, technical characteristics, the presence or absence of certain options. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Here are 12 of the strangest cars ever produced.

BMW Iset­ta 300

The three-wheeled Isetta once saved BMW from bankruptcy: while competitors were selling more expensive cars, the Bavarians managed to sell 160,000 Isettas and seriously improve their financial situation, undermined by the Second World War.

The Isetta, which has Italian roots, was primarily distinguished by its modest size and the fact that the only door was located where modern cars have a hood: the steering wheel of the model moved along with the door.

Mohs Osten­ta­ti­enne Opera Sedan

Mohs owner Bruce Mohs created the Ostentatienne Opera Sedan as a model of what a luxury sedan should be.

It did not go further than the concept, but in the two years that the businessman was burning with this idea, he managed to produce 6 or 7 similar cars.

The main feature of the car is the absence of doors: you could get inside through the trunk. It opened by throwing down a step and meeting the passenger or driver with a red carpet.

Axi­am-Mega MultiTruck

Axiam-Mega is a French company that originally specialized in the production of subcompact cars and ATVs.

However, in 2010, the concern released the MultiTruck light truck, which is designed for people who use commercial vehicles for short-distance transportation and want to reduce the cost of maintaining transport in this regard.

What with a diesel engine, what with an electric motor, the model is characterized by extremely low operating costs.

It looks very strange, though.

Messer­schmitt KR175

After World War II, Germany was banned from making airplanes for a long time: Messerschmitt had to switch to something else. In 1953, the light saw the first car of the concern-KR175, which the Germans themselves called a scooter with a cab.

The three-wheeled car had a steering wheel, more like a similar one from a bicycle or motorcycle, and two seats: one behind the other.

In 1955, the KR175 was replaced by the new KR200.

Maz­da R360

The R360 is the first production passenger car produced by Mazda.

The car, which came with either a manual transmission or an automatic transmission, weighed only 380 kilograms.

The popular model allowed Mazda to strengthen its financial position and thanks to the fact that when the post-war restrictions on the export of Japanese products were lifted, it was successfully sold not only at home, but also in other countries.

Rus­so-Bal­tique Impression

In 2002, atelier A:Level decided to revive the famous Russian brand "Russo-Balt" and created a car design in the style of the 40s of the previous century.

The owner of the Russo-Balt trademark, Viktor Taknov, even invested $ 2 million in the project, and the studio was renamed Russo-Baltique. The only car-Russo-Baltiqe Impression-was released in 2006 in cooperation with the masters of the German company German GErg GmbH and presented at the Geneva Motor Show.

Then it was even announced the price of future small-scale models — 1.8 million US dollars. However, the production of the model was never launched.

Dai­hat­su Midget II

The second — more like a car in the modern sense of the word-generation Daihatsu Midget was not as successful as the three-wheeled predecessor, in the first year of production of which more than 80,000 copies of the model were sold.

The car, which looks like a rhinoceros because of the spare wheel located on the hood, was presented in 1993 at the Tokyo Motor Show, but it only entered the series in 1996.

Depending on the layout, the model could be a two-seater or designed only for the driver.

Peel P50

The Peel P50, equipped with a single door and accommodating one person, weighed only 59 kilograms.

The fuel consumption of the model is only 2.8 liters per 100 km of travel.

In 2010, Peel released a limited version of the P50 with an electric motor.

The car was equipped with a handle at the back, thanks to which the car could be manually turned around or dragged into the house or garage.

ZAZ-965A

ZAZ-965A, popularly called "hunchback Zaporozhets", according to legend, was created according to the patterns of the Fiat 600.

The car had a rear-wheel drive and "gills", which became the" chip " of this model for many years. In fact, this design element was crucial — it cooled the engine and protected it from overheating.

Another interesting fact — the ZAZ-965A was the last Soviet car with doors that open against the course of traffic.

Renault Twizy

The Twizy is not technically a car, but a heavy ATV.

The length of the model is only 2300 mm, and the width is 1130 mm, while the car can accommodate two passengers: the passenger seat is located behind the driver's seat and can even be adjusted in height.

The power reserve of the electric motor in ideal conditions is about 100 kilometers. A full charge from a regular outlet takes approximately 3.5 hours.

Bong Bug 700E

The two-seat, three-wheeled model had a single overhead door.

In fact, to get inside the car, it was necessary to raise the upper part of the body.

Despite the modest dimensions, each copy of the car was equipped with a spare wheel.

Several Bong Bug 700ES were released specifically to advertise the Rothmans tobacco company.

Twike

Twike (composite of "twin" - double and" bike " — bicycle) - a hybrid car that can move either thanks to an electric motor, or-a person.

The interior is equipped with pedals, turning which you can make a 246-kilogram car go.

According to the manufacturer, physical exercise so warms up a person that the car, for example, does not need a stove.

The range of the electric motor is from 50 to 300 km, depending on the type of batteries installed.