14 Cars That Were Killed Before Their Prime You Didn’t Know About

2. Pontiac G8

Pontiac introduced the G8 in 2008 and discontinued it in 2010, just before the brand disappeared. Although it was a relatively new car, people soon forgot the G8. The market dismissed it, even though it was a performance sedan with rear-wheel-drive. Car enthusiasts demand affordable RWD performance cars and the G8 was just that. In a desperate attempt to revive its performance image, Pontiac decided to import Australian-built Holden cars and re-badge them as Pontiacs.

The first was the Holden Monaro, which they granted U.S. citizenship and a new-old name – the Pontiac GTO. Despite the 400 HP engine and convincing performance, the new GTO wasn’t the success Pontiac was hoping for. Next was the G8, which they conceived as the Holden Commodore. Pontiac thought a rear-wheel-drive sedan would help them fight their European competitors. The G8 included Pontiac’s redesign and small-block V8 engine, so it was an effective performance sedan, too.

The base engine was a solid 3.5-liter V6 with 256 HP, but the real deal was the G8 GXP with a 6.2-liter V8 and 415 HP. Also, the G8 came with high levels of standard equipment, as well as a long list of optional extras. Unfortunately, the G8 came too late. Customers weren’t ready to accept a G8 performance sedan that could beat overpriced European models.

After years of anemic models, front-wheel-drive economy cars or minivans of the 90’s, Pontiac lost its performance image. Only a handful of buyers remembered what it was capable of. So, when they finally presented a car claiming the title of a performance brand, it was too late.

In two years, Pontiac sold just over 30,000 G8s. Interestingly, the platform and the concept lived on in the form of the Chevrolet SS, which the motoring press praised. However, it was the last model by Pontiac, which is now sadly forgotten. The G8 will be a valuable classic car when future enthusiasts realize how composed this performance sedan was. It is too bad Pontiac lost its edge and customers didn’t understand this car.

3. De Lorean DMC-12

John Z. De Lorean started the company in the late 70’s, briefly marketing his car as the next big thing in the sports car world. Its founder was a famous ex-GM executive and market strategist who knew the car industry and the key players. For a short time, it looked like America got a sports car brand to rival Europe’s finest companies. De Lorean presented an interesting concept of a sports car with gullwing doors, a modern design and a stainless steel body.

The car public went crazy and De Lorean easily found investors and supporters of the project. However, the production was late. When they finally revealed the car, it was slow, underpowered and riddled with quality problems. After the initial excitement, buyers stayed away from the DMC 12, and De Lorean had big financial problems. In a desperate attempt to secure cash for its car company, De Lorean was caught buying cocaine with the intention of reselling it for profit.

With the help of high-priced lawyers, he managed to stay out of jail. However, the De Lorean car company and DMC 12 sports cars were gone by the early 80’s. Due to its appearance in Back to the Future movies and numerous music videos, the DMC 12 is still a popular car. People say America needs a proper sports car brand and a revived De Lorean could be just that.

The De Lorean brand is important because it was the first global sports car company. The design came from Italy and the engines were from France and Sweden. They assembled the cars in the UK and the owner was American. Today, there are numerous exclusive car companies that work with the same principles, but De Lorean was the first. Despite problems with power and reliability, the DMC-12 had lots of potential. It is a shame they cut this sports car short.

4. Aixam Mega Track

One of the most interesting and misunderstood cars was the French Mega Track. The Aixam company built it in the mid-90’s. The Mega Track was the first and only off-road supercar. Aixam produced this vehicle with an adjustable suspension that could go from a regular sports car to an SUV in seconds.

This complicated system allowed eight to 13 inches of ride height. In just one moment, the Mega Track could become a true off-road beast. Behind the driver was a massive 6.0-liter V12 engine from Mercedes-Benz that produced 400 HP and powered all four wheels. The concept had its drawbacks, though. The Mega Track was a heavy, big car. It weighed over two tons and was over 16 feet long, which is more than a Mercedes S-Class.

Famous for producing small micro cars and various automotive industry components, the Aixam company didn’t have the time or interest to promote the Mega Track. Production stopped after they made just five or six of them, depending on the source. The importance of the Mega Track was that it introduced a new concept. It was a capable supercar at home on the race track, as well as crossing the desert on an off-road course.

Unfortunately, the Mega Track was expensive. The company was busy with other projects, so they only produced a handful of cars. The new generation of supercars features intelligent all-wheel-drive systems. It won’t be long before somebody presents an off-road supercar influenced by the obscure Mega Track.

5. Vector W8

A legendary, mystical supercar, the Vector W8 is a wedge-shaped, V8-powered monster they first presented in 1990. It was an ambitious project by the Vector Aeromotive Corporation. They wanted to produce the most advanced supercar in the world using aeronautical technology and materials. The W8 had a space frame chassis with a Kevlar body reinforced with a special kind of plastic.

Under the engine cover, they included a typical American powerhouse, a Chevrolet small block V8. They paired it with twin turbochargers that produced 625 HP, which was an impressive figure. The company claimed at full boost, the 6.0-liter twin-turbo engine was capable of 1,200 HP. However, they did not recommend using full boost for extended periods of time since it would affect the durability of the engine itself.

They priced the Vector W8 at $450,000, which was an enormous sum for the day. Despite being featured in numerous movies, TV shows, and computer games, it failed to achieve sales success. When production ended in 1993, the Vector Aeromotive Company managed to produce only 22 examples of this fantastic, fully American supercar.

Despite its limited production, the W8 influenced a lot of car companies. At the time, it was the only American company that could rival European brands. It featured unique construction and drivetrain solutions that are still impressive, even today. Vector showed the potential of a basic U.S.-made V8 engine with clever engineering which influenced car companies like Saleen or SSC.

6. 2004-06 Pontiac GTO

The last generation of the Pontiac GTO was one of the biggest examples of a misunderstood car. The Holden-built and LS-powered GTO was a muscle car with a powerful engine. It also had a sleek design, modern suspension and brutal performance. They offered it in an affordable package with a long list of desirable options.

So, why it was on the market for just a couple of years? And why did Pontiac only sell around 40,000 of them?

The reason was simple and similar to the Pontiac G8. The GTO appeared at a time when Pontiac was mostly known for its failures like the Aztek. Car customers didn’t connect the Pontiac brand with performance like they did in the 60’s or 70’s. For modern buyers, Pontiac was just another tired old nameplate from GM’s roster that didn’t deliver excitement.

Another reason was they designed and assembled the GTO in Australia. Traditional muscle car customers wanted their cars to be purely American. Even though introducing a new generation GTO was a smart move, it didn’t impress the automotive public. That is too bad since the GTO produced 350 or 400 HP. It was a great muscle car.

7. Honda Insight

The Insight is a hybrid vehicle Honda introduced in 1999. It featured a strange design with a lightweight body structure, fantastic fuel economy and reduced emissions. However, the first generation, which they discontinued in 2006, sold in limited quantities.

They presented the second generation in 2009. It was a more mature, conventional car with enough room for five passengers. It provided decent handling and driving characteristics, as well as an efficient hybrid drivetrain.

Back in 2009, the world went crazy for hybrids. They introduced the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight just in time. It featured better performance, an upscale interior and several systems better than the Prius. But, the sales figures were poor and the Insight was lagging behind the Prius.

What was the problem? First, the Insight was more expensive. In the economic recession of 2009, the price was important to the average buyer. Second, it looked like a copy of the Prius, both technologically and aesthetically. Honda said they chose a five-door hatchback style because of its aerodynamic qualities. However, the finished product looked like the Prius. People didn’t want to pay more just for a copy.

8. Tucker Torpedo

The greatest “what if” story in automobile history is the saga of Preston Tucker and his brainchild, the Torpedo. There are numerous books and movies about this maverick entrepreneur. His vision of an advanced family sedan, his quest for improvement and the conspiracy against him and his company were infamous. He established the Tucker car company in the late 40’s. They soon presented a fully functioning prototype that made the rest of the cars from Detroit look outdated.

The Tucker Torpedo featured numerous innovations, including safety glass. It also had a central headlight that followed the movement of the steering wheel. It included a roomy interior and an engine in the back with lots of power and torque. The Tucker Torpedo was so advanced, Chrysler, Ford, and GM were afraid it would cripple their market share. So, while Tucker prepared for full-scale production, the Big Three prepared to set him up with a lawsuit to stop production and sink the company.

Unfortunately, they succeeded, so Preston only built between 48 and 51 of his fantastic Tucker Torpedos. Today, almost all new cars feature some of the innovations Tucker premiered in the late 40’s.

9. Fiat 600 Multipla

Back in the mid-50’s, Fiat was the symbol of Italy’s economic recovery. Its supermini models, the 500 and 600 were global bestsellers. The company knew they could not keep building small cars forever. They had to widen their appeal, so they introduced the 600 Multipla. It was the first MPV or minivan in mass production.

To make the little Fiat 600 accommodate six passengers and their luggage, Fiat designed an odd, egg-shaped car. They gave it suicide doors and a rear-mounted engine. The Multipla was not a sales hit since it looked strange. However, it was practical and stayed in production for over 10 years. The power and performance figures were diminutive, but the Multipla could squeeze into any parking spot.

In 1969, they discontinued and soon forgot it. But, four decades later, minivans are one of the top-selling car classes around the world. It was Fiat’s idea in the late 50’s is finally understood now.

10. Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

If you think the car industry has invented all the car classes it possibly could, think again. There is always room for new, although possibly useless concepts. One of those was the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. Most people are not familiar with this car because they only offered it for sale from 2011 to 2014. In addition, they produced it in small numbers.

The idea behind the CrossCabriolet was straightforward. Nissan realized SUVs were getting more luxurious. Also, consumers wanted a more personalized product. They decided to present a convertible SUV with all the advantages like ride height, comfort and usability. It also included the luxury and open-air feel of a convertible.

Nissan wasn’t afraid that their idea was new. In 2011 they presented the CrossCabriolet based on their popular Murano SUV. Despite the almost bespoke nature of this car and dependable Nissan technology, the CrossCabriolet SUV flopped. Obviously, there wasn’t a market for SUV convertibles at the moment. Perhaps there will be a demand for them in the future and the CrossConvertible will be the first of its kind.

11. Chevrolet SS

Unfortunately, the Chevrolet SS is out of production, but most dealers have enough unsold cars that you can buy one right now. And you should do that since the SS is one of the best affordable performance sedans on the market today. With a 6.2-liter V8, 412 HP engine, precise steering and neutral handling, this car rivals Europe’s finest sports sedans. The maker is Holden from Australia, but they rebadged it as a Chevrolet and fine-tuned the car for U.S. customers.

The performance numbers are respectable. A 0 to 60 mph sprint is possible in just 4.7 seconds while top speeds are over 150 mph. The Chevrolet SS is a good proposition for people who need a practical sedan, but who also may want a sports car. The styling is elegant and unassuming. This is a good thing, since this car can surprise many regular sports models with its performance.

The SS is one of the best sleepers on the market since it can blend with the traffic. Nobody can tell you have 400 HP under your right foot ready to jump in a second’s notice. Sadly, Chevy discontinued the Chevrolet SS despite it being one of the finest sports sedans in the world. They could have continued to develop it into an even better car.

12. Mercury Marauder

Back in the 60’s, Mercury produced the Marauder. It was a high-performance version of the regular Mercury performance sedans. The model was popular, but now it is largely forgotten. Those more popular muscle cars from the same era have overshadowed it. Fast forward 40 years later, and in 2003, Mercury decided to introduce a final Marauder model they based on Ford’s venerable Panther platform cars.

Ford’s Panther platform is one of the longest-serving platforms in the car industry. Ford first used it in 1978 and it lasted until 2011. It underpinned many models like the Ford Crown Victoria, the Mercury Grand Marquis or the Lincoln Town Car. This chassis proved sturdy and durable in extreme conditions. It was even the basis for many police cars and taxis. Even today, six years after they discontinued it, millions of Panther-based models are still on the roads.

Despite the fact Ford never intended the Grand Marquis to be a performance car, Mercury decided to turn it into one by installing a highly tuned 4.6-liter V8 with 302 HP. They also revised the suspension, gearbox and brakes. All those changes turned this sleepy, comfy sedan into a sharp muscle car. It came in three colors, but the black paint gave the Marauder its menacing looks and aggressive stance, differentiating it from its more sedate cousins.

The performance was impressive for a big, heavy sedan with 0 to 60 mph time in around seven seconds. But the biggest asset was its appearance. Just the sight of that big black sedan in your rear-view mirror could make most drivers move over. Unfortunately, Ford sold the Marauder for just two model years, before Mercury killed the model.

13. NSU Ro80

Everybody has forgotten the German brand NSU, but during the 60’s, they were one of the biggest European manufacturers of small economy cars and bikes. In 1967, they introduced a specific and interesting model – the Ro80. It featured a futuristic-looking design, an innovative semi-automatic transmission and most importantly, a twin-rotor Wankel engine with just under one-liter displacement and 113 HP.

The production was relatively low with 38,000 examples built over a 10-year period. Drivers criticized the car for being unreliable, too. However, the parts that are now available make the Ro80 usable and the engine problems that caused the criticism are long gone. Prices are low for this unusual, rare car and plenty of parts are available for prospective buyers.

In short, the VW killed the Ro80, despite being one of the most advanced cars of the era. Most car collectors can’t help but wonder what would have happened if the evolution continued.

14. Fiat 130 Coupe

The Fiat 130 is the only car on this list from a company still in business. It was a large six-cylinder car Pininfarina designed. They produced it in small numbers in two distinctive variants: a sedan and a coupe. They wanted the Fiat 130 to be a luxury car with modern technology. It also had to have an elegant design to compete with Mercedes-Benz in the European market.

However, despite the style, powerful V6 engines and interior features, the 130 never became popular. Production ended in 1977 after Fiat produced just 15,000 sedans and a little over 4,000 coupes. If you are looking for Italian charm, a famous design studio’s name and potent engines, the 130 is an interesting proposal. Also, if you are a fan of those 70’s Italian crime movies, you’ll recognize the Fiat 130 as the favorite transportation of gangsters and similar shady characters.

The cars on this list all had innovative ideas and designs; however, the world just wasn’t ready for them. Many car enthusiasts feel it is time for the automotive industry to give them another look.