Most car manufacturers stick to the proven formula when engineering and designing their models. With standard looks and technology, the risks are minimal. However, every now and then, car brands are brave enough to introduce something that is out of the norm. Sometimes, the risk pays off, but sometimes, it doesn’t, and that is the topic of our article: the strangest American cars ever made and why they are still controversial.
1. Chrysler Airflow
In 1934, the young Chrysler Corporation introduced a revolutionary new model called Airflow. It was one of the most advanced cars, with numerous innovative features like unibody construction, aerodynamic styling, advanced safety features, and a luxurious interior.
Despite the fact that Airflow was quite controversial and didn’t sell as Chrysler hoped it would, this is still an immensely important automobile since it introduced forward-thinking, the latest technology in mass production, and established the American car industry as the most advanced in the world.
2. Cord 810
When Cord presented the 810, the car market was stunned. It featured Art Deco styling, front-wheel drive, and powerful V8 engines. At that time, this was the most advanced American production car.
The car featured many industry firsts and established itself as one of the most revolutionary American cars of all time. Unfortunately, the market was not ready for such an advanced automobile, so Cord’s sales were disappointing. That is what caused Cord to close its doors in the late ’30s.
3. Tucker Torpedo
The Tucker Torpedo featured numerous innovations, including safety glass and a central headlight that followed the movement of the steering wheel. Also, it had a roomy interior, and the engine was in the back, providing lots of power and torque.
Basically, the Tucker Torpedo was so advanced the Big Three, Chrysler, Ford, and GM, were afraid it would cripple their market share. So, while Tucker prepared for full-scale production, the Big Three ready 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.
4. Chrysler Turbine
During the early ’60s, Chrysler was heavily involved in turbine car testing. Chrysler needed valuable real-life data after extensive testing in laboratories and test tracks, so it built 55 cars and sent them to Italy’s Ghia design house to get fancy handmade bodies.
Then, the cars were given to randomly chosen families all over America to be used as regular cars for a period of time. However, Chrysler decided to kill the project and destroyed almost all the cars.
5. AMC Pacer
The Pacer is a car that is equally loved and hated but is legendary and recognizable. It was AMC’s effort to produce a compact car, but it turned out to be less compact than its competitors and had numerous flaws.
After the success of the Gremlin, Pacer was conceived to be bigger and more advanced, but its design was repulsive. The large glass areas were practical but also looked like bubbles. The front end was far from beautiful, and the silhouette was egg-shaped, which was strange and unheard of then.
6. Stutz Blackhawk
The early ’70s saw the return of one of the most famous classic American brands – Stutz. Designed on a Pontiac Grand Prix chassis and using its drivetrain and 455 V8, Stutz commissioned various Italian coachwork companies to produce unique, retro-inspired bodies.
The first car was the Blackhawk, which entered production in late 1970. Due to its distinctive style, strong marketing, and celebrity endorsements, Stutz soon became one of the most exclusive and in-demand American cars. However, it cost over $20,000 (in 1971), which was close to the price of a new Rolls-Royce.
7. Zimmer Golden Spirit
The Zimmer Golden Spirit is a neo-classic luxury car that fuses 1920s styling with 1980s mechanics. It is built on a Ford Mustang chassis and features absurdly long front fenders, side exhausts, massive chrome bumpers, and faux exposed horns, evoking Gatsby-era opulence with modern drivability.
The strange design—with wire wheels and a trunk-mounted spare tire—makes it look like a movie prop rather than a real car. Hand-built and wildly flamboyant, it was a status symbol for the eccentric elite.
8. Pontiac Aztec
Introduced in 2000, the Pontiac Aztek was a good idea, on paper at least. The mid-size crossover model with sharp new styling, decent engine lineup, and plenty of interior space was a modern concept then.
Pontiac was eager to present it to the public since the overall sales of the brand were not so good, and they thought that the new model would boost the popularity of the brand. The plan was sound, except for one thing: the design. Somehow, Pontiac designers drew and pushed to produce one of the strangest cars ever.
9. Chevrolet SSR
In the early 2000s, retro design was the king. Introducing new cars with classic shapes was the ticket to success, and Chevrolet thought it would be a great idea to present a retro-styled truck with a sporty feel and retractable hard top.
Built on an SUV platform but with a Corvette V8 engine, fold-down hard top, and tight cabin for only two passengers, the SSR was something like a modern hot rod. However, the car was strange, and even though it had a Corvette V8 with 400 hp, it didn’t win customers’ hearts.
10. Plymouth Prowler
The Hot Rod culture is one of the critical ingredients of the American automotive landscape. However, no company ever dared present a factory-built Hot Rod until 1997, when Plymouth introduced the Prowler—a retro-futuristic roadster with a V6 engine and fantastic looks.
Imagined as the follow-up of the Viper, the Prowler was a hit on the show circuit, and Chrysler wanted to capitalize on that. Despite having initial success, the car proved to be a failure.