The middle decades of the twentieth century were a playground for automotive experimentation. Automakers across the world were eager to push boundaries, trying out new technologies and futuristic styling that promised to transform the way people drove. Some of these innovations were truly visionary, laying the groundwork for features that became standard decades later. Others, however, arrived before their time, confusing buyers and frustrating mechanics who lacked the tools or knowledge to keep them alive. The result was a series of cars that looked extraordinary on paper but proved too advanced for the era in which they were born.
Chrysler Turbine Car
Few cars have achieved the legendary status of the Chrysler Turbine Car from the early 1960s. Its jet engine inspired powerplant could run on virtually anything combustible—diesel, kerosene, even tequila. It made a futuristic whooshing sound instead of a traditional engine note and required very little internal maintenance compared to piston engines. The problem was that it was expensive to build, guzzled fuel, and proved impractical for everyday use. Only fifty five were produced for public testing, most of which were recalled and destroyed once the program ended. Today, a handful survive in museums, a reminder of a car that was decades ahead of its time but simply too advanced for the real world.
Citroën DS
When Citroën unveiled the DS in 1955, it was unlike anything the world had ever seen. Its aerodynamic body looked like something from outer space, and beneath that sheetmetal lay a hydraulic system that controlled suspension, steering, and braking. The ride quality was unmatched, and the car could raise or lower itself depending on the road surface. Unfortunately, mechanics were completely unprepared for such a complex system, and the hydraulic leaks and servicing costs scared many owners. In Europe it gained a loyal following, but in North America the DS never caught on. Modern cars owe much to its innovations, but in its own era, it was simply too advanced for mass acceptance.
Chevrolet Corvair
The Chevrolet Corvair, launched in 1960, was America’s answer to compact European cars. With a rear mounted air cooled flat six engine, it was mechanically closer to a Porsche or Volkswagen than a typical Chevrolet. Early versions, however, used swing axle suspension that made handling unpredictable, particularly in emergency maneuvers. The controversy surrounding Ralph Nader’s book Unsafe at Any Speed further damaged its reputation, despite Chevrolet making improvements later in its production run. While the Corvair showcased bold engineering for an American car, it frightened buyers and became a case study in innovation overshadowed by public perception.
NSU Ro80
Germany’s NSU Ro80, launched in 1967, was a sedan that looked like the future had arrived early. With its sharp aerodynamic body, futuristic cabin, and most notably a twin rotor Wankel rotary engine, it stood apart from the crowd. Unfortunately, the rotary engine was still in its infancy, and the critical apex seals wore out far too quickly. Many cars needed new engines within 30,000 miles, and the company was overwhelmed with warranty claims. While the design influenced future Audis and rotaries lived on through Mazda, the Ro80 was too advanced and ultimately destroyed NSU’s financial stability, leading to its takeover by Volkswagen and eventual integration into Audi.
AMC Pacer
When American Motors introduced the Pacer in the mid 1970s, it wanted to design the car of the future. With its wide stance, enormous glass areas, and aerodynamic focus, it looked unlike anything else on the road. It even offered space for future rotary engine installation, though that plan was abandoned. Unfortunately, its styling was too radical for conservative buyers, and the car’s weight made it sluggish, especially with the emissions choked six cylinders it carried. The Pacer was decades ahead in its focus on aerodynamics and passenger space, but in the 70s marketplace, it became more of an oddball than a visionary success.
Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham of the late 1950s was one of the most technically ambitious American cars ever built. It offered self leveling air suspension, automatic memory seats, power everything, and luxury appointments that outshone even European rivals. The problem was that the air suspension was unreliable, the electronics were fragile, and few mechanics knew how to repair them. At more than $13,000 when new, it cost more than a Rolls Royce, but the headaches kept it from being a sales success. Today it is remembered as an extravagant masterpiece, but at the time, it was simply too advanced for buyers and technicians to handle.
Triumph TR7
Triumph launched the TR7 in the mid 1970s with bold claims, calling it “the shape of things to come.” Its wedge shaped design, unibody construction, and emphasis on safety were genuinely forward looking. Unfortunately, quality control was abysmal, with electrical issues, leaking seals, and fragile engines making ownership miserable. Buyers were unprepared for the futuristic styling and disappointed by the execution. The TR7’s ideas were forward thinking, but the lack of refinement meant the car ended up being mocked rather than celebrated.
Mercedes Benz 600
The Mercedes Benz 600, produced from the 1960s through the 1980s, was the ultimate luxury car for heads of state and celebrities. Its complex hydraulic system powered everything from the seats to the windows, even the trunk lid. The engineering was extraordinary, and when it worked, it made the 600 feel like something from the future. But those hydraulics were notoriously difficult to repair, requiring specialized knowledge and tools that few mechanics had. For ordinary owners, maintaining one was nearly impossible. The 600 became a legend, but in its day it was a reminder that advanced technology could be both dazzling and daunting.
Oldsmobile Toronado
The 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado shocked the American market by reintroducing front wheel drive to a full sized car. Paired with a massive 425 cubic inch V8, it was a technical marvel with a unique driving feel. While the engineering worked, the idea of such a big front drive machine was hard for buyers to grasp, and torque steer made the driving experience unusual. The Toronado’s design influenced many future GM products, but in the 60s, it was a car that confused as much as it impressed, making it too advanced for its moment.
DeLorean DMC 12
The DeLorean of the early 1980s will forever be remembered for its stainless steel body and gullwing doors, but beneath the futuristic styling was a car that failed to deliver. Its Peugeot Renault Volvo sourced V6 engine barely produced 130 horsepower, leaving performance well below its exotic looks. Build quality was inconsistent, and mechanics found repairs difficult because of the car’s unusual construction. Buyers expected a supercar from the future, but instead got a slow, fragile coupe. Its futuristic styling and construction were too advanced for the production realities of the time, and it collapsed under the weight of those ambitions.
Renault 16
When Renault launched the 16 in the mid 1960s, it essentially invented the modern hatchback. Its roomy layout and versatile cargo space were far ahead of the sedans it competed against. In Europe, it was appreciated, but in North America it baffled buyers who preferred traditional three box designs. Mechanics unfamiliar with French engineering also found it awkward to work on. Today we take hatchbacks for granted, but in its time, the Renault 16 was so advanced in its practicality that most buyers couldn’t see its value.
Subaru XT
The Subaru XT of the mid 1980s was a car that looked like it had driven straight out of a science fiction movie. With wedge shaped styling, futuristic interiors, digital dashboards, and even a joystick like shifter, it was unlike anything else on the market. Unfortunately, its engines offered only modest performance, and buyers didn’t know what to make of it. It was too weird for mainstream tastes, and mechanics often disliked the unconventional layout. Despite influencing Subaru’s future design direction, the XT was too advanced for its era, and it faded away after a short production run.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
