Year: 1955
Debut at 24 Hours of Le Mans
Production cost: $20,000*
The Bisiluro Damolnar was a rather quirky-looking, twin-boom, a missile-like car with an oval-shaped steering wheel. Conceptualized by racer Enrico Nardi, he used a BMW, Giannin-tuned 750 engine for one side of the vehicle in its manufacturing. The other side of the vehicle featured the driver’s seat, and both the driver and engine were kept in their own streamlined capsules.
The cherry-red racer weighed under 1,000 pounds and was positioned on a Fiat 500 chassis. The Bisiluro Damolnar debuted in 1955 at the Le Mans running but was found to be unsuitable for the road due to its lightness.
Dodge Deora
Year: 1965
Debut at: 1967 Detroit Autorama
Production cost: $324,500*
Brothers Mike and Larry Alexander, commissioned the design for the Dodge Deora from Harry Bradley. The car was designed in 1965 and was assembled for two years before its debut in the 1967 Detroit Autorama. The Deora’s design was based on a 1965 A100 Dodge pickup truck that the Alexander brothers customized for their purposes.
One of the special highlights of the car was the 101 horsepower engine and three-speed manual transmission. The Deora ended up being quite a hit and won nine awards at the Autorama, including the vaunted Ridler Award. The gold truck was even transformed into a Hot Wheels car.
Toyota EX-III Concept Car
Year: 1969
Debut at: Tokyo Motor Show
Production cost: $2,000*
The EX-III was the third production in a collection of Toyota concept cars. The prime signature of the EX-III’s design was its aerodynamic ability, which was greatly emphasized when it was displayed. The EX-III had room for two and appeared to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The roof-mounted spoiler was adjustable in order to increase and maintain stability even at high speeds. The interior was designed with convenience in mind with all of the controls within reach. With a longer bonnet, lower build, tapered rear, and sharp, sloped sides, the EX-III was a head-turning model.
Ferrari 250 Shooting Brake
Year: 1962
Debut at 24 Hours of Le Mans
Production cost: $400,000*
Italian team Giotti Bizzarrinni and Giovanni Volpi created the Ferrari 250 GT. The car was nicknamed “La Camionnette” or “little truck” by the French press and “Breadvan” by the English press. The nickname stemmed from its exterior design because it resembled a shooting-brake with its roofline that extended into the rear.
This avant-garde exterior design was based on the Kamm aerodynamic theory, which Bizzarrinni applied with the help of a car body specialist, Piero Drogo. Inside, the engine was a Ferrari 250 Tip-168 V12, and the transmission was a 250 SWB four-speed. The strange little model weighed in at 2,061.3 pounds at the ’62 Le Mans race.
2015 BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R
Year: 2015
Debut at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
Production cost: $1.5 million*
This sharp little number was made by BMW and is said to be a nod to the batmobile yet also reminiscent of the BMW M1. With its compact, aluminum/carbon fiber body and sharp lines, it oozed racing appeal.
Complete with a six-cylinder engine and lightweight interior, the Hommage R was made to go fast. In fact, it can reach speeds of 174 miles per hour! Unfortunately, this little beauty could never make it to mass production because it was incredibly expensive to make.