Five of the world's most peculiar supercars.
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What defines a supercar? To many, it's an expression of the most favourable aspects that we would like to see in an automobile. Is it flashy? Is it fast? Does it offer luxurious finishes? And most importantly, does it make you feel a sense of prestige and exclusivity? If a car checks all these boxes, it fits the description in most cases.
However, the definition is relatively simple if you prefer to take the Jeremy Clarkson approach. "A supercar messes with g-forces." In other words, a supersonic jet in the form of a four-wheeled (sometimes six) coupe. Despite the loose requirements to fit such a definition, some car designers simply didn't make the cut. Let's explore some of the world's most peculiar supercars, how they came to be, and why they fall short of the prestige their more infamous counterparts enjoy.
Isdera Commendatore 112i
Image Source: Topgear.com
Truly a vehicle with a pedigree, the Isdera Commendatore is a one-of-one supercar with good reason. Originally built in 1993 as a concept vehicle, this peculiar car drew quite a bit of attention when it was auctioned off almost 25 years later for nearly R20 million at RM Sotheby's.
What makes the 112i stand out is that it was the original inspiration for the Pagani Zonda. A far more successful brand that many consider to be one of the strangest looking cars on earth. While it was slated to go into total production, the company's finances being in dire straits meant that no one could afford to push the button. The 112i's auction sale, although staggering, still wasn't enough to cover the cost of its design and build. Essentially, Isdera closed shop at a loss.
Aston Martin Victor
Image Source: 1motor.com
Unlike our previous entry, Aston Martin is a household name with a successful brand track record. Yet despite its prestigious namesake, the manufacturer has produced a few duds in its time. While the more recent flop that was the Cygnet is nothing more than a Toyota Aygo with a hefty price tag, it, at least, fulfilled the purpose of an emissions offset strategy.
The same cannot be said about The Victor, which despite its name, never genuinely won over anyone's heart. Based on the Aston Martin One-77, the Victor takes its place among the manufacturer's hierarchy of Special Edition vehicles, such as the Valkyrie and the Vulcan, which enjoy the title of "dream cars' for many a gearhead. Yet, unlike its sisters, The Victor simply flew under the radar.
The Victor is a striking supercar powered by a Cosworth-engineered V12. It bears all modern amenities and is styled with a retro 80s-inspired chassis. Despite its marvellous physique, it goes down in history as a drop in the ocean. A shame.
BMW M1
Image source: Roadandtrack.com
Have you ever wondered why the 1 Series Motorsport variant is known as the 1M and not the M1? It's because the title was already taken 30 years prior by BMW's first attempt at a supercar. While collectors quickly snap up the M1 in modern times, it was deemed as nothing but a failure in the 80s.
The first mistake was contracting Lamborghini to design and build the chassis. When the Italian car manufacturer went bankrupt and was subsequently bought out by an Indonesian company called Megatech, BMW had to scramble to cobble together the rest of the vehicle's design for their racing division. As year upon year went by, the overall cost of the car became a staggering nightmare. Unable to keep up with the demands of the racing world and with costs piling up, BMW canned the M1 after producing only 453 of them.
The M1 remains the only production supercar that BMW has ever produced to this day. Although, one could say that the hybrid I8 is a close contender.
Covini C6W
Image source: Reddit.com
This is by far the strangest car on our list. Not due to its checkered design history but mainly because of its titular 6-wheeled chassis. Covini, the Italian manufacturer behind this feat of engineering, decided that the modern interpretation of a supercar was too dull for them. So how else do you reinvent a car other than fitting it with an extra pair of wheels? Who knows.
With four wheels at its front and two at the back, the Covini C6W was named because it had six wheels. Simple enough. Yet behind its relatively obscure facade, the C6W is powered by an impressive Audi Quattro V8 that churns your ears and turns your head as it blisters past.
The design is so bizarre that any image of it looks completely photoshopped. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. The CW6 will go down in history as a supercar that, for lack of a better word, wasn't that super.
Vector M12
Image Source: Topcarrating.com
Inspired by the incredible success of the Lamborghini Diablo SV, American car manufacturer Vector decided to incorporate as much of The Diablo's design into their M12 as possible. Unfortunately for them, however, they may have taken it a bit too far.
While the M12 is a jaw-dropper of a car, its uncanny resemblance to the Diablo may have earned them an unfair reputation as copycats. This is despite the fact that Vector went to many lengths to secure the rights to its likeness. So much so that the engine itself is from the Diablo and manufactured by Lamborghini.
Ultimately, the need for a Lamborghini engine led to their inevitable downfall. The cost was too high, and when Vector opted to pay for their last shipment by sending over a W8 (A vector which resembles the Lamborghini Countach) as payment, Lamborghini opened a lawsuit against them. Surprisingly enough, Vector won it.
Despite the costs, the M12 was a 90s flop which only sold 17 models. The vehicle itself was unreliable, incredibly uncomfortable to sit in, and just not that great of a car, given the prestige of Diablo it tried to emulate.
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Author: Bryce Anderson