The 10 Coolest Obscure Cars
There are plenty of interesting cars out there, every so often you might see an Italian supercar or a Japanese legend on the roads. But for this list chances are you haven’t heard of most of these cars much less ever seen one. VehicleSMART has rounded up 10 of the coolest cars you’ve never heard of.
Zenvo TSR-S
The Zenvo TSR-S is a Danish supercar packing a twin-supercharged V8 engine and an active wing unlike anything else on the road. It’s a very limited run car with only 5 being commissioned every year at a hefty £1.15 million.
Detomaso Pantera
The DeTomaso Pantera is a mid-engined sports car produced from 1971–1992. The car was powered by either a 4.9L v8 in the Pantera si or two variations of a 5.8L v8 for all other models. Even by today’s standards, the car isn’t slow, managing the 0–60mph sprint in around 5.5 seconds. You can pick up a range-topping Pantera gt5 for around £150,000.
Autozam AZ-1
Is there anything cooler than gullwing doors? What about on a car small enough to fit in the back of a ford ranger? The Autozam AZ-1 was a mid-engined Kei car manufactured by Autozam from 1992–94. The car weighs in at a measly 720kg and has a Suzuki derived 650cc engine making 64hp. A good example will set you back around £20,000.
Fisker Karma
The Fisker Karma is an American Luxury sports sedan produced between 2011–12. The hybrid sports car was sold for around £140,000 in the UK. The car used its petrol engine to power its two 201hp electric motors making a total of 403hp and a 0–60 of 5.9 seconds.
Jensen-Healy
The Jensen-Healy is a British two-seater convertible sports car produced between 1972–76 and was designed to compete with the much loved Jaguar E-Type and Triumph TR6. The car used a lotus engine and was a collaboration between Jensen Motos and the Donald Healy Motor Company, known for the Austin-Healey. The car could launch from 0–60mph in just 7.8 seconds, you can find a Jensen-Healy for around £20,000 today.
Venturi 400 GT
The Venturi 400 GT is a french sports car made between 1994–97. Less than 100 units were ever produced with only 15 being street legal. The company used a single or twin-turbo 3.0l v6 engine pushing 400 hp and a sub 5 second 0–60 time. You can pick up what is affectionately called the french f40 for around £160,000.
Bond Bug
The Bond Bug is possibly one of the strangest looking cars ever. It is a British two-seat three-wheeler designed for Reliant Motor Company, 2,270 were produced between 1970–74. The car had a 700cc engine that was later upped to 750cc. It could reach just 76mph and was sold to be a fun driver’s car offering similar characteristics to a go-kart. Nowadays you can buy yourself a Bond Bug for around £4000-£7000 but one sold in 2016 for a staggering £12,000.
Morgan 3-Wheeler
Another 3 wheeled car making the list is the marmite Morgan 3 wheeler. According to Morgan, it is a “rebellion against sanitised, modern motoring”. The car uses a 2.0L V engine making either 68 or 82hp depending on the model; all models of the 3-Wheeler however weigh less than 600kg and cost around £35,000.
Spyker C8
The Spyker c8 is a Dutch sports car produced from 2000–2020. The modern c8 known as the Preliator has a 4.2L supercharged v8 making 518hp and launching the car to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds. Spyker is known for their wild styling including a fully exposed gear linkage. You can find a c8 for anywhere from £250,000 up to about £450,000.
Pagani Huayra
Okay so Pagani is fairly well known, but it’s still not on the levels of Ferrari or Lamborghini. The Huayra has a 730hp AMG-derived v12 making 730 hp taking it to 60 in just 2.8 seconds and a blistering top speed of 238mph. Only 100 units of the coupe were ever produced between 2012–18 and will now cost you an eye-watering £2.1-£2.6 Million.
So there you have it 10 cars you may not have heard of. Of course, there are many more obscure cars out there but these were just our picks. Which one would you pick if you had the choice?
