Concept cars have always served as a captivating window into the future of automotive design. They embody the creative freedom of automotive engineers and designers, offering glimpses of revolutionary technology and groundbreaking aesthetics. Yet, many of these visionary vehicles, despite their futuristic appeal, have faded into obscurity. In this article, we will explore ten remarkable concept cars that never made it to production but left an indelible mark on the automotive world.

ASC Vision (1987)

The ASC Vision debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1987, making a bold statement with its innovative features and futuristic design. This concept car was developed by American Sunroof Company (ASC) as an independent project, distinguishing itself from other vehicles produced by established manufacturers. The Vision featured a steel body with flexible urethane wheel skirts, and its rear decklid spoiler could be electronically adjusted to optimize aerodynamics. Notably, the car featured a circular, electrically rotating sunroof, which was a forward-thinking design for its time.

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Chevrolet Corvette Indy (1986)

In 1985, Chevrolet embarked on an ambitious project to create a concept car that would promote its Indy racing engine. The Chevrolet Corvette Indy was born out of this vision and made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in 1986. Despite its flashy appearance and bold claims, the Corvette Indy was never intended to be a functioning vehicle. The car featured a non-operational 2.65-liter twin-turbo engine, more for decorative purposes than performance. Although it wasn’t a runner, its striking design was a precursor to the Chevrolet Corvette’s future aesthetic evolution.

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OSI Ford Mustang (1965)

The OSI Ford Mustang is a rare gem from the mid-1960s, a collaboration between the Italian design studio OSI and Ford. While it retained the powertrain of the original Mustang, including its 271bhp V8 engine, the body was completely reimagined. With a shortened wheelbase and a body crafted from fiberglass, the OSI Mustang featured distinctive fold-flat headlights that would later inspire the Porsche 928. The car was a true blend of Italian design flair and American muscle, combining cutting-edge aesthetics with classic performance.

Buick Questor (1983)

The Buick Questor was a futuristic concept car that debuted at the 1983 Chicago Auto Show, offering an early glimpse into the high-tech vehicles of the future. The car was notable for its groundbreaking technological features, such as the use of fourteen onboard computers and an innovative “laser key” that allowed the driver to unlock the door with an invisible light beam. The Questor also featured a primitive form of GPS navigation and a touch-screen command center for making calls while on the move. With such advanced systems, the Questor was ahead of its time, showcasing how technology could transform the driving experience.

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OSI City-Daf (1960s)

The OSI City-Daf was a small, urban-focused concept car designed to address the growing demand for compact vehicles in the 1960s. Built on a shortened Daf Daffodil chassis, the City-Daf was a quirky and innovative take on the idea of city transportation. Its most unique feature was its unconventional door setup: a sliding door on the driver’s side and a traditional passenger door, complemented by a rear ‘suicide’ door. The car’s compact size and practical design made it ideal for urban environments, where space and efficiency were paramount.

GM Runabout (1964)

General Motors’ 1964 World’s Fair exhibit featured the GM Runabout, a three-wheeled vehicle designed to showcase innovative ideas for personal transportation. While the Runabout was never intended for production, it highlighted GM’s vision of future mobility. The vehicle lacked conventional doors, instead using a unique canopy that lifted to allow passengers to enter. Additionally, the Runabout’s rear section incorporated a shopping trolley—an example of how design could merge convenience with practicality.

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Fissore Aruanda (1964)

The Fissore Aruanda was the product of a design competition and represents one of the more unusual vehicles to emerge from Brazil in the 1960s. Designed by Brazilian architecture student Ari de Rocha, the Aruanda featured a boxy, one-box shape and was powered by either a petrol engine or a battery-powered system. Built on a modified Fiat 500 Giardinetta chassis, the Aruanda never made it into mass production but remains a fascinating footnote in automotive history.

Pininfarina Cr 25 (1974)

The Pininfarina Cr 25 was an ambitious attempt to integrate the trends of the 1970s into a single concept car. Featuring aerodynamic styling, angular lines, and a focus on safety, the Cr 25 was designed in Pininfarina’s newly built wind tunnel. The car boasted an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.256 and included features like moving body flaps to aid braking. Powered by a Ferrari flat-12 engine, the Cr 25 was designed to break speed records and provide a vision of the future of high-performance vehicles.

Ford Techna (1965)

Ford’s Techna concept, revealed at the 1968 New York International Auto Show, was designed to showcase the future of automotive innovation. The Techna featured a revolutionary honeycomb construction steel platform and bonded body panels, marking a major departure from traditional vehicle construction methods. The car’s structural windshield, which wrapped around the front corners, eliminated the need for front corner pillars, providing occupants with unobstructed visibility.

Ghia Lancia Fulvia HF1600 Competizione (1960s)

The Ghia Lancia Fulvia HF1600 Competizione was a motorsport-inspired concept that emerged from the collaboration between Ghia and Lancia in the late 1960s. Designed to be a high-performance vehicle, the Fulvia HF1600 featured a distinctive movable rear spoiler and an adjustable aerofoil-like rear wing, allowing for optimized aerodynamic performance. Although it was never produced in large numbers, the car remains a testament to the innovative spirit of the era.

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Conclusion

These ten forgotten concept cars represent a fascinating chapter in automotive history. Each vehicle offered a glimpse into the future of design, technology, and performance, and while most of them never made it to mass production, they continue to inspire automotive enthusiasts and designers alike. From the high-tech Buick Questor to the aerodynamic Pininfarina Cr 25, these concept cars demonstrate the bold thinking and innovative spirit that have always been at the heart of the automotive industry. Though many have faded from public consciousness, their legacy lives on, reminding us of the limitless possibilities that the future of automotive design holds.