Year: 1978
Debut at: Geneva Auto Show
Production cost: $30,000-$60,000*
With its super wedge design and pop-up headlights, the Japanese-made Dome Zero could not be missed. Taking inspiration from the original Japanese race car, race car creator Minoru Hiyashi wanted to bring all of the speed and flashiness of the track to everyday life.
The Dome Zero had a 2.8 liter inline-6 that yielded 142 horsepower. It could reach speeds of up to 163 miles per hour and had head-turning, gull-wing doors. Though it was beloved by the public, the designers of the Dome Zero could not reach homologation requirements or get the funding needed for the concept.
Mitsubishi Concept-RA
Year: 2008
Debut at: North American International Auto Show
Production cost: Unknown
The Mitsubishi RA would have caught the attention of environmentalist consumers at first with its recyclable plastic body panels. But a surprising element to the RA’s structure was its turbo diesel engine that put out 201 horsepower.
Yet with its light and agile-looking frame, it was supposed to produce low emissions and with its all-wheel drive, it was incredibly unique for a sports car. So what kept this dream from becoming a reality? Mitsubishi was afraid to branch out in their sports car division and scrapped the RA altogether.
BMW Nazca C2
Year: 1992
Debut at Detroit Auto Show
Production cost: $1-3 Million*
The BMW Nazca C2 was a creation of Italdesign, a transportation development service. The Nazca C2 was commissioned to replace the BMW M1 and under its hood rested a 5-liter V-12 engine.
It boasted a super-low profile and the cabin was made entirely from glass. Sadly, BMW had growing concerns over the concept’s marketability and so only three were ever made.
Lotus Eterne
Year: 2010
Debut at Paris Auto Show
Production cost: $190,000*
A major leap up from your average four-door sedan, the Lotus Eterne set car enthusiast’s hearts on fire. Beneath its elegant and powerful frame, the Eterne was set to feature hybrid technology and had a 5-liter supercharged V-8 engine.
And with 620 horsepower, it could reach about 62 miles per hour in only 4 seconds! Sadly, this paradoxically beautiful model was never given to the masses either.
Ferrari Mythos
Year: 1989
Debut at: Tokyo Motor Show
Production cost: $3 Million*
This stunner was created by the Pininfarina design company and was first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1989. The Mythos would eliminate your morning commute as it could hit 62 miles per hour in 6.2 seconds and reach a max speed of 180 miles per hour.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t received with much enthusiasm and was never mass-produced. However, the Sultan of Brunei specially requested that two be made just for him. And yet, to most everyone today, the Mythos seems to be just that: a myth.