Rejected Then Revered
Failure stings in the moment. But in the car world, it doesn't always stick. Some vehicles that tanked at launch have become the most sought-after machines on the planet. They were too weird, too expensive, or just plain unlucky with timing. Now they're icons. The very things that made them flop back then make them irresistible today. Let’s look at 20 cars that were total flops before people came around and learned to appreciate them.
Motohide Miwa from USA on Wikimedia
1. Maserati Bora
While the Bora broke new ground as Maserati's first mid-engined road car, timing couldn't have been worse for this innovative machine. The 1973 oil crisis hammered sales, limiting production to just 564 units and even derailing plans for Group 4 racing versions.
2. Chevrolet Corvette C1
Among 300 examples ever built, the 1953 Corvette C1 marked Chevrolet's daring entry into sports car territory. Each Polo White model, powered by the Blue Flame straight-six engine, showcased revolutionary fiberglass construction—a lightweight solution that helped establish America's first true performance.
3. McLaren F1
Would you believe there's actual gold foil lining the engine bay of the McLaren F1? This exotic heat-shielding solution helped create the fastest production car ever in 1998, hitting an astonishing 240.1 mph. It was officially launched in 1992.
4. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Born from Can-Am racing technology, the 1969 Camaro ZL1's all-aluminum 427 V8 engine personified Chevrolet's ambitious transition from track to street performance. Production challenges limited the COPO-program vehicle to just 69 units, driving auction values much beyond $1 million.
5. Jaguar D-Type
Among just seventy-five examples ever built, the revolutionary Jaguar D-Type achieved an impact far beyond its scarce numbers. Produced from 1954 to 1957, this monocoque marvel dominated motorsport's greatest stage, claiming three consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
6. Lexus LFA
Anchored by a precision-engineered 4.8-liter V10 powerplant, the car showcases Yamaha's motorsport expertise with its blistering 0.6-second idle-to-redline capability. This Formula One-inspired exhaust symphony found its way into just a handful of limited-production hypercars.
Rutger van der Maar on Wikimedia
7. Jaguar XJ220
Despite forgoing its intended V12 and all-wheel drive in favor of a twin-turbo V6 setup, the Jaguar XJ220 set the standard for speed in the high-stakes supercar competitions of the early 1990s. The car reached 217 mph, with about 275 of them made.
8. Plymouth Superbird
When NASCAR's quest for speed demanded radical solutions, Plymouth answered with the 1970 Superbird's aerodynamic nose cone and towering rear wing. While Richard Petty proved the design's effectiveness through multiple victories, many dealers ironically struggled to sell these ahead-of-their-time machines.
9. BMW M1
Here comes BMW's first mid-engined supercar. The M1 established a technical blueprint that would later influence the innovative i8 hybrid. Between 1978 and 1981, just 453 examples emerged. Additionally, the M1's Procar Championship series uniquely pitted Formula One drivers against one another.
10. Tucker 48
The Tucker 48's pop-out windshield was an incredible idea during a time when car safety was considered an afterthought. With 51 units produced in 1948, this unique gem combined safety advancements with design elements like the "Cyclops Eye" headlamp and rear-mounted engine.
11. DeLorean DMC-12
Initially derided for its underpowered V6 engine and quirky stainless-steel body, the DeLorean DMC-12 was a commercial disaster at launch. Its gullwing doors and iconic design seemed more gimmick than substance. Thanks to Back to the Future, it became a pop culture legend.
12. Bricklin SV-1
This ride was marketed as the “Safety Vehicle 1” and included safety-focused features, including gullwing doors. However, production delays, subpar construction, and a high price tag hurt sales to a large extent. Collectors today celebrate the car despite its failure.
13. Pontiac Fiero
In just four years, from 1984 to 1988, the famous Fiero packed a decade's worth of innovation and evolution into its brief production run. This pioneering mid-engined American car weathered early engine fire setbacks while showcasing fantastic plastic composite panels that simplified repairs.
14. Studebaker Avanti
The Italian word "avanti" means "forward," and Studebaker's 1962 coupe mirrored this progressive spirit magnificently. Its innovative fiberglass construction and advanced safety elements pushed automotive boundaries, while a blistering performance campaign yielded 29 speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats.
15. Citroën SM
Citroën married French ingenuity to Maserati's passionate V6, and the SM came to light as their brilliant offspring. This fusion masterpiece combined self-centering steering and hydropneumatic suspension with Italian muscle. High maintenance costs and a complicated layout made it a commercial failure.
16. NSU Ro 80
The NSU Ro 80 was a luxury sedan characterized by its sleek design, front-wheel drive, and rotary engine. Reliability issues with the engine and high costs led to poor sales. Nowadays, people celebrate it as a visionary car and a rare collector’s gem.
Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem on Wikimedia
17. Cord 810/812
Like a brilliant meteor, the Cord 810/812 blazed across automotive history, perfecting front-wheel drive with independent front suspension and an advanced pre-selector gearbox. Its "coffin-nose" styling and hidden headlamps defined automotive art, yet it graced production for just two years.
Stephen Foskett (Wikipedia User: sfoskett) on Wikimedia
18. Bugatti EB110
This car was introduced in 1991 to commemorate the 110th anniversary of Ettore Bugatti's birth and quickly gained fame. It was equipped with a quad-turbocharged V12 engine and featured all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, by 1995, production ceased due to the company's bankruptcy.
19. Aston Martin Lagonda
In a bold technological gambit spanning 1974 to 1990, the Lagonda joined hands with innovative digital instrumentation and avant-garde design. Well, this ambitious fusion proved its own undoing, as persistent electronic gremlins haunted the complex sedan, limiting production to 645 examples.
Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands on Wikimedia
20. Ford Mustang SVO
That distinctive bi-plane rear spoiler adorning Ford's 1984-86 Mustang SVO signaled more than aerodynamic ambition—it heralded a sophisticated challenger to European sports sedans. Under the hood, a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine completed this calculated departure from traditional muscle-car norms.
