Forgotten Gems On Four Wheels
Some cars make headlines, dominate the streets, and live on in pop culture. And others—well, they vanish like a limited-time special, leaving only a handful of gearheads to remember their greatness. Maybe they were ahead of their time, or maybe they were just too weird for the mainstream. Whatever the reason, these forgotten rides deserve a second look. So, here are 20 incredible cars that slipped through the cracks.
1. AMC Pacer
Bubble-shaped and quirky, the AMC Pacer debuted in 1975 as America’s first wide and small car. Ahead of its time, it featured large glass windows and a passenger door longer than the driver’s. Despite its futuristic design, poor fuel economy led to its downfall by 1980.
2. Peugeot 604
Luxury and French engineering collided in 1975 with the Peugeot 604, a V6-powered sedan designed for executives. Although praised for comfort, it struggled against German competitors. By 1985, dwindling sales sealed its fate, making it a forgotten relic of Peugeot’s premium aspirations.
3. Citroën DS21 Pallas
Hydropneumatic suspension, futuristic styling, and a plush interior made the Citroën DS21 Pallas revolutionary in the 1960s. Dubbed "the goddess," it won hearts but faded as technology advanced. Today, its self-leveling ride remains an engineering marvel lost to time.
4. Reva i
Electric dreams took shape in 2001 with the Reva i, India’s first mass-produced electric car. Tiny yet pioneering, it offered a range of 50 miles but lacked power. Limited adoption and competition left it in the dust, but its early green vision still resonates today.
5. Standard 2000
Luxury met British engineering in India with the Standard 2000, launched in 1985. Modeled after the Rover SD1, it flopped due to high fuel consumption and outdated mechanics. By 1988, production ceased, which left this sedan as a forgotten chapter in Indian automotive history.
Paul brown from england on Wikimedia
6. Alvis TD 21
British craftsmanship shone in the Alvis TD 21, a grand tourer from the late 1950s. It was hand-built with an inline-six engine but lacked mass appeal. Limited production and its exclusive clientele ensured it became an underappreciated masterpiece of British motoring.
7. Fiat Palio Weekend
Fiat expanded its lineup in 1996 with the Palio Weekend, a versatile compact wagon. It offered increased cargo space and sturdy suspension but suffered from inconsistent quality control. As Fiat’s global influence waned, the Palio Weekend quietly faded from most markets by the early 2010s.
8. Bugatti Type 57S Atalante
The Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, built between 1936 and 1938, combined elegance with exhilarating speed. Its supercharged straight-eight engine pushed it to 120 mph, making it one of the fastest cars of its time. With only 710 produced, it remains an elusive gem for collectors.
9. Shamrock
Ireland’s attempt at an American-style luxury car, the Shamrock, debuted in 1959. Oversized yet underpowered, its fiberglass body lacked refinement. Fewer than ten are known to exist, proving that grand ambition alone doesn’t create lasting automotive legends.
10. Lamborghini Jarama
Before SUVs, Lamborghini made grand tourers like the Jarama, a forgotten V12 masterpiece from 1970. Despite raw power, its boxy styling and heavy chassis made it less desirable than the Miura. Only 328 were built, which ensured its rarity but also its obscurity.
Tony Harrison from Farnborough, UK on Wikimedia
11. Ford GT70
Ford’s answer to rally dominance, the GT70, barely left the prototype stage. Born in the early 1970s, it was built to rival the Lancia Stratos but never reached mass production. Today, its few existing units serve as reminders of Ford’s missed rally opportunity.
12. Asia Rocsta
Military-inspired but civilian-focused, the Asia Rocsta was Kia’s Jeep-like 4x4 from the 1990s. Underpowered and plagued by quality issues, it never gained traction outside Asia. Now, it lingers in obscurity, overshadowed by more capable off-roaders.
No machine-readable author provided. ChiemseeMan assumed (based on copyright claims). on Wikimedia
13. AMC Marlin
Hoping to cash in on the fastback craze of the 1960s, AMC introduced the Marlin, a sleek grand tourer. However, its awkward proportions and confused identity kept it from attracting Mustang buyers. It faded quickly, leaving behind a legacy of unfulfilled potential.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
14. Fiat Dino
Ferrari DNA flowed through the Fiat Dino, built in the late 1960s to homologate Ferrari’s V6 for Formula 2 racing. While stylish and fun to drive, Fiat’s branding held it back. Once overlooked, it’s now a sought-after collector’s gem.
15. De Tomaso Longchamp
Styled by Ghia and powered by Ford, the De Tomaso Longchamp was an Italian grand tourer with muscle car performance. It was built in limited numbers from 1972 to 1989. Its awkward styling and high cost ensured it remained largely forgotten outside niche circles.
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia on Wikimedia
16. Citroën LN
The Citroën LN was launched in 1976 and borrowed heavily from the Peugeot 104. Its 602cc engine provided minimal excitement, and its basic features failed to attract buyers. Lacking innovation or charm, it soon disappeared, remembered only by die-hard Citroën fans.
Charlie from United Kingdom on Wikimedia
17. Dacia Denem
Dacia’s first Western-market attempt, the Denem, hit UK roads in 1981, adapted from the Renault 12. Poor build quality and sluggish performance doomed it. British buyers quickly lost interest, and it vanished within a few years, joining the ranks of forgotten automotive failures.
Classic Car - Dacia Denem aka Renault 12 licence-built in Romania by ilesmarktransport
18. Alfa Romeo 90
Sharp-edged but short-lived, the Alfa Romeo 90 arrived in 1984 with innovative aerodynamics and a digital dash. Unfortunately, it lacked charisma, and sales flopped. The 90 faded into obscurity, wedged between more memorable Alfa sedans.
19. Lonsdale Saloon
Mitsubishi repackaged its cars for the UK under the Lonsdale brand, but the Saloon flopped almost immediately. Poor marketing, high pricing, and a forgettable name doomed it. Within two years, it disappeared, becoming one of the shortest-lived automotive branding attempts in history.
20. Isdera Commendatore 112i
The Isdera Commendatore 112i, a 1993 one-off supercar, showcased a 6.0L Mercedes-Benz V12 and stunning aerodynamics. Financial issues prevented full production, but its sleek design and technical innovation cemented its place as one of the most fascinating lost supercars of the 1990s.
