Volkswagen has always been more than the people’s car—it’s the people’s surprise.
From the lovable Beetle to the boxy Microbus, Volkswagen built its legacy not just on reliability, but on a willingness to experiment.
Over the decades, the brand has unleashed some truly eccentric and imaginative vehicles that made car enthusiasts do a double take.
Some flopped. Others became cult classics.
But all of them proved that Volkswagen wasn’t afraid to get weird.
In this article, we look back at 15 of the oddest VW cars—and why a part of us still misses them.
This ’41 Willys coupe was built circa 2008 as a gasser-style street/drag car utilizing an Active Power fiberglass body and boxed frame. The Chevrolet 496ci stroker V8 breathes through dual Edelbrock carburetors atop an Offenhauser cross-ram intake manifold and is linked with a Super T-10 four-speed manual transmission and a Currie 9″ rear end. Work following the seller’s 2024 acquisition included installing electric cut-out header valves, wheelie bars, and Hoosier Pro Street tires. Additional equipment includes a Borgeson steering box, Wilwood front disc brakes, E-T Dragmaster wheels, front leaf springs, gas shocks, rear coilovers, and ladder bars. The body is finished in red with air-brushed artwork and gold-leaf-style lettering, and the cabin is outfitted with low-back bucket seats, power windows, a Hurst shifter, Mooneyes instrumentation, a rear camera system, a Pioneer CD receiver, and brown leather upholstery. This gasser-style Willys coupe is now offered with a clean Florida title in the seller’s name that lists the car as a 1941 Willys.
The fiberglass body is finished in red with an air-brushed skull, gradient flames, and gold-leaf-style lettering. It rides on an Active Power boxed frame and features a tilting front end and shaved doors that open manually from the outside by reaching though an open window or using an emergency release hidden under the left rocker panel. Additional exterior details include a hood scoop, rear-hinged doors, a drop-down hideaway license plate bracket, remote jumper terminals, a battery cut-off switch, blue headlight lenses, and a 2″ aluminum rear bumper.
Polished E-T 15″ Dragmaster alloy wheels are mounted with 25×7.5″ front and 31×16.5″ rear Hoosier Pro Street tires. Suspension is handled by chrome parallel leaf springs and gas-charged shocks mounted to the solid front axle along with ladder bars, adjustable coilovers, and Competition Engineering sprung wheelie bars out back. Steering goes through a Borgeson box, and the car is brought to a halt by Wilwood front disc and rear drum brakes. The seller says the parking brake is not functional.
The low-back bucket seats are trimmed in brown leather that extends to the dashboard, door panels, and center console. Tan tweed carpets with brown piping overlays the floorboards and the sides of the console. A color TFT monitor that resides in the center stack is connected to a rearview camera, and switch controls are hidden beneath an upholstered cover ahead of the shifter. Additional equipment includes power windows, and a Hurst T-handle shifter with a line lock switch. A Pioneer CD receiver and Kicker speakers are mounted on the rear bulkhead.
The brown leather half-wrap steering wheel sits on a chrome column with a Mooneyes tachometer, and a suite of Mooneyes white-dial instruments are housed in the center of the dashboard in an engine-turned bezel. The digital odometer shows 3,500 miles, approximately 700 of which were added by the seller. The speedometer reads inaccurately, and true mileage is unknown.
The fuel filler is accessible through the trunk, which is upholstered to match the interior.
The 496ci Chevrolet V8 is topped with an Offenhauser cross-ram intake manifold and a pair of Edelbrock VRS 650-cfm carburetors. Fuel arrives through a Holley electric fuel pump, and gases exit through ceramic-coated headers with electric cut-out valves and an X-pipe dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers.
The engine was built utilizing Edelbrock aluminum cylinder heads, Eagle connecting rods, and 10.0:1-compression JE Pistons, per the seller. Ignition is handled by an MSD Pro-Billet distributor and ignition control box, and cooling power is provided by an aluminum radiator, a chrome Mesiere high-flow electric water pump, and a thermostatically controlled electric cooling fan supplemented by a pair of switched auxiliary fans. The seller notes an oil drip after the car runs for a period of time and is then parked.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Perfection Clutch with a Howe hydraulic release bearing and a Richmond Super T-10 four-speed manual transmission with a 2.88 first gear, and a custom aluminum driveshaft linked to the Currie 9″ aluminum center section that is equipped with 31-spline axles and a 4.11:1 final gear ratio. Additional photos that show the underbody prior to the installation of the header switches, wheelie bars, and Hoosier tires can be viewed in the gallery.
Compact cars have shed their modest roots, emerging as true contenders in the luxury segment.
Today’s small vehicles are outfitted with features once reserved for premium sedans and SUVs—think plush interiors, cutting-edge technology, and advanced safety systems.
Automakers now blend efficiency and agility with surprising sophistication, making upscale driving experiences accessible to more people than ever before.
As a result, compact cars are redefining expectations, proving that you don’t need a large footprint to enjoy big luxury and innovation on the road.
In recent years, SUVs have soared in popularity among adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.
As more people crave exploration beyond paved roads, the demand for vehicles built to conquer tough terrain has intensified.
But not every SUV is engineered for true off-road prowess.
The models that stand out combine advanced 4×4 systems, rugged suspensions, superior ground clearance, and smart traction management.
This list spotlights 20 SUVs that truly excel when the pavement ends, each meeting strict criteria for best-in-class off-road capability.
The automotive industry has always been a crucible of innovation, continuously reshaping how we move, connect, and experience the world.
From the earliest days of motorized transport to the present era of electrification and automation,
pioneering breakthroughs have redefined mobility, performance, safety, and sustainability.
Each transformative leap—from seat belts to self-driving cars—has not only revolutionized vehicles but also the way society functions.
As we explore these 20 automaker innovations, discover how visionaries turned bold ideas into milestones that changed the car industry forever.
In a world ravaged by the undead, the last thing you want is to be stranded on an empty tank. Toyota vehicles have long been celebrated for their legendary reliability, unmatched fuel efficiency, and rugged self-sufficiency. These qualities make certain models uniquely suited for the ultimate test: surviving a zombie apocalypse.
Imagine navigating deserted highways and treacherous backroads, knowing your vehicle can go the distance—possibly for weeks without needing a refill. When survival depends on every mile you can squeeze from a tank, choosing the right Toyota could mean the difference between safety and peril. Let’s explore the models ready to take on the end of the world.
Honda has never been a company content to follow the crowd. From its earliest days, the brand built a reputation for innovation and daring risk-taking in automotive design.
Honda engineers have routinely challenged conventional thinking, introducing features and concepts that seemed almost futuristic in their time.
While some of these innovations eventually became industry standards, others left buyers and critics scratching their heads, unsure how to respond.
This legacy of pushing boundaries means that certain Honda models were simply ahead of their time—so advanced, in fact, that the world wasn’t quite ready for them.
In this article, we’ll explore 15 such trailblazing vehicles that left a mark on automotive history, even if their genius wasn’t recognized right away.
When most people think of Volkswagen, iconic models like the Beetle or Golf come to mind—practical, reliable, and ubiquitous.
Yet, beneath this mainstream image lies a surprising history of innovation and experimentation.
Throughout its existence, Volkswagen has ventured far beyond simple hatchbacks and family sedans, quietly launching vehicles in segments few would expect from the brand.
Some of these creations are rare, others downright quirky, and all have prompted car enthusiasts to do a double take.
In this article, we’ll explore 20 Volkswagens that might just make you exclaim, “Wait, they built that?”
In the world of automobiles, reliability is a badge of honor that only a select few vehicles truly earn. While many cars fade away with age, some models become legends, celebrated for their ability to outlast trends, survive decades, and rack up hundreds of thousands of miles with minimal fuss.
For car owners, nothing brings peace of mind like knowing your ride will start every morning—rain or shine, year after year. In this article, we’ll explore fifteen remarkable cars that have carved out a reputation for being almost immune to time, consistently delivering trouble-free motoring and inspiring loyal followings around the globe.
Automotive history is full of surprises.
Some cars, upon their debut, seemed destined for ridicule or failure—plagued by unconventional styling, unremarkable specs, or rocky rollouts.
Yet, in a twist that left critics and enthusiasts stunned, these very vehicles rose above their humble beginnings.
What makes a car legendary isn’t always obvious from its first impression.
This article explores 20 cars that defied all odds, transforming from supposed flops into icons, and proving that greatness sometimes emerges from the most unlikely places.