Any gearhead will quickly notice a new brand or an unpopular car on the road. Many people can also easily name the top brands sold within their territories. However, it takes a deeper understanding of the industry and brands to pinpoint specific elements about certain cars. For instance, not many people know the contribution of Pontiac to the muscle car industry, yet it’s part of an indelible history. In the same breath, unless you are truly passionate about it, the history of the Ford Mustang may not mean much to you. But the automotive industry thrives best on these little nuggets of historical facts. That’s why there is a significant part of the industry explicitly dedicated to classic cars. You also realized that so many automakers came and left for different reasons.
Some of these automakers left cars that made a huge impact in the industry, and their greatness will be preserved for a long time. There is quite a long list of cars that came from less known brands. Some well-established brands such as Lamborghini and Bugatti also make cars that quickly fade from the scene once they land in the hands of their exclusive collectors. This list makes a pick on a few cool cars from brands you’ve probably never heard about. Some of them are outstanding in their own ways; some are good for daily drivers, while others belong to the track.
10
Tramontana R
via youtube
The Spanish carmaker Tramontana tries to be as awkward as it can possibly get. To start with, no two cars from the company’s factory are the same, and each car reportedly demands more than 4,000 pieces together. That’s intense work!
via robb report
If you haven’t interacted with their cars, a few examples include the Tramontana GT, the XTR, and the Tramontana R. The Tramontana R looks like a car that wants to fly. The company’s desire for cars suitable for Formula 1 is clearly evident in these low-sitting designs. It’s perfectly street legal in Europe, as awkward as it seems. With just a turn on the switch, a driver can shift between 550 hp and full 720 hp.
9
Iso Grifo
via wikipedia
The name sounds but it’s very Italian. We all know how exotic their cars can become when they want it that way. Iso Grifo cars were built between 1965 and 1974, styled by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro while the engineering aspects were developed by Giotto Bizzarrin, a man whose stellar career stints included time at Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Alfa Romeo.
via pinterest
These cars have become extremely rare collectibles worth millions. About 400 units were built carrying V8 engines mated to four-speed and five-speed transmissions. The Iso Grifo will cost you anything between $300,000 to more than $1m.
8
Venucia T90
via chinapev
How exactly do we start explaining the Venucia car to the masses? Perhaps the best point is highlighting that it’s built by a Chinese company with its headquarters in the city of Wuhan. The parent company is known as Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd and the Venucia car is made by its subsidiary known as Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company, aka Dongfeng Nissan.
via carsalesbase
Venucia is now a sprint subsidiary of the company and has several products in the market since 2015. The Venucia e30, Venucia T70, and the Venucia T90 are just some of the subcompact cars produced by the company. The Venucia T70 is the company’s SUV that’s offered in seven models carrying 1.6L and 2.0L engines.
7
Zotye T700
via carsalesbase
This Chinese company started as a supplier of automotive parts but later went into full production. They’ve been in business since 2005, earning contracts with larger conglomerates, including Ford. One of the company’s well-known cars is the Zotye T700, a mid-size SUV that carries an engine developed by Mitsubishi.
via wikipedia
The company has announced plans to export its cars into markets including the United States and beyond. As the Chinese automotive space expands exponentially, lots of experimental ideas continue to fly around.
6
Haima
via car models list
Haima was founded in 1992 as Hainan Mazda Motor, through the combined efforts of the provincial government of Hainan and Mazda. Although the primary role was to develop Mazda cars in China, the company eventually acquired Mazda’s share in the joint venture and now produces its exclusive cars, albeit with lots of technology from Mazda.
via gomechanic
The company has several models under its control such as the Haima S5, the S7, and the Haima V70 It’s very understandable if you haven’t heard about the Haima cars until you read this post.
5
Ultima RS
via ultima sports
English car manufacturer Ultima Sports Ltd has continuously built some of the most unconventional cars trotting the globe today. The company was founded in 1992 and has proven its love for speedy, sporty cars specifically primed on record-breaking undertakings.
via youtube
The launch of Ultima RS, a legal road car, producing 1,200 hp is clear evidence of their daredevil approach to uniqueness. The Ultima RS weighs about 2,050 pounds. Even though we are used to the British marquee messing around with our brains, the Ultima RS proves there is almost no limit to what automakers can achieve.
4
Lister Storm
via wikipedia
The Lister Storm claimed to carry the largest V12 engine found on a production car since World War II. This engine is a 7.0L from Jaguar. Only four of these revolutionary cars were built.
via pistonheads
The Lister Storm built between 1993 and 1994 became one of the rarest supercars hitting a top speed of 240 mph. The Storm made an appearance at the 1995 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans and managed a total of 40 laps before bowing out due to engine problems. This notwithstanding, it remains one of the most competitive and capable supercars.
3
Dome Zero
via supercar nostalgia
If there was a car that was ever given an outrageous style, it’s got to be the Dome Zero. Although sharp wedge designs were quite a common approach in the 1970s, the Dome Zero took everything completely in a new direction.
via youtube
As lovely and outlandish as the Dome Zero was, it never made it to production mainly because it couldn’t meet Japan’s homologation requirements. Funding was also a major issue as the Dome was just a small company that face a myriad of challenges. Nevertheless, the Dome Zero concept still makes heads turn wherever it turns up for showbiz.
2
Isdera Imperator 108
via youtube
The Isdera Imperator 108 was produced from 1984 to 1993 and went into the record as one of the rarest supercars ever produced. It borrowed styling and engine from Mercedes-Benz but went to be grandly distinguished. The first production unit was presented in 1984 at the Geneva Auto show carrying a 5.0-liter V-8 M117 engine that produces 235 hp.
via youtube
The Imperator was in production for more than a decade but only managed about 30 units. This makes it a rare breed that fetches competitively high amounts.
1
HTT Plethore
Via Pinterest
The Plethore was built completely from carbon fiber, giving it a suitable lightweight and enabling it to scale at great heights in performance. It tilts the scale at only 2750 pounds. Powered by a 6.2-liter motor, this Canadian creation was capable of 740 hp. It’s one of Canada’s finest supercars, with the company producing just six pieces each year.
via trustty
The car has the taste of a McLaren F1’s handling granted specifically by its central driving position and two passenger seats slightly behind. The control panel is mounted on the ceiling and the steering wheel looks like a piece from sci-fi work. With all its doors open, the Plethore looks like it will be flying away the next minute. There haven’t been many updates about it for years but this would be one of Canada’s greatest gems.
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About The Author
Mark Lakewood
(57 Articles Published)
Mark Lakewood is an automobile fanatic constantly scouring the internet for the latest news, reviews and opinions on anything that rides on two or four wheels. He is also an advocate of eco-friendly energy sources and has interests in electric motoring. A digital nomad, Mark is a successful copywriter working with brands in technology, fintech, SEO, social media placement among others. He is a contributor for Hotcars.com crafting articles on collectibles, innovative technology, supercars and a whole lot more.
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