15 Strangest Cars In The World – From Alfa To Zagato

Rarity is often a beauty in itself. Having something special can elevate even ordinary things into desirable things. If those things are already attractive, limited production or individual numbers increase the appeal even more.

Car manufacturers have always sought to enhance their image and reputation by designing and marketing prototypes, unique cars, limited edition models, and homologation specials. But from time to time, production numbers drop from hundreds to double or even single figures. If that happens, only a select few people will own these rare cars at any given time.

To show how and why the rarest cars in the world have come to us, we’ve checked out 15 of the rarest cars and sports cars. There are no hot hatchbacks or sedans in this list of Alfas and Astons, McLarens, and Mercedes-Benzes. From rare cars to unique cars, this is what happens when manufacturers step outside and create something special…

Ferrari 250 GTO

Although not the rarest car in the world, Ferrari’s 250 GTO has gone down in history as one of the most inaccessible models ever produced. In part, that’s because of the eye-popping prices individual models now command — $70 million — and in part because of their legendary racing pedigree. Fewer than 40 were ever made, meaning that few people have ever seen its incredible beauty in steel.

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

As one of 007’s favorite cars, James Bond ensured that the DB5 was perhaps the quintessential classic Aston Martin, yet its predecessor is also a glorious machine. In 1962, the DB4 GT was taken over by Italian in-house Zagato and transformed into a lightweight GT including the use of aluminum and Perspex for the future. Only 20 were ever made, with pentagonal rear windows and fine wire spoke alloys.

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

It is confusing that Alfa Romeo has marketed 33 different models in its history. First came the early 1960s, followed by the boxy 1980s hatchback. There is now a new 33 Stradale going on sale, including an electric version. We’ll stick with the original (and best) variant, produced for two years with a hand-forged aluminum body and race-tuned engine.

Jaguar XKSS

Jaguar would appear twice on this list, courtesy of the XK120-C. However, our vote goes to XKSS from a few years back. A total of 25 were planned for production, but nine were lost in a factory fire. Ironically, the XKSS only came about because Jaguar wanted to use the spare D-Type chassis at its Brown Lane factory.

Lamborghini Veneno

There is something surprising about this Lamborghini with an endless tail, which was unveiled in 2013 in a way that took everyone’s breath away. Taking the Aventador underpinnings a few steps further, details include seven-spoke turbine-style wheels designed to cool carbon-ceramic brakes behind killer-looking Pirelli P Zero tires. Four coupes and nine roadsters were built in total, celebrating Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary.^th anniversary in proper OTT fashion.

Bugatti Centodieci

Italian is a sensual language. Centodieci sounds strange to our ears, but it translates as “one hundred and ten”. A prosaic name for a modern hypercar, paying tribute to the history of the Bugatti marque EB110 and its Bauhaus-influenced design. Packing an eight-liter W16 engine, this coach-built masterpiece looks sonically bad from any angle.

IW Motors Lykan HyperSport

Here’s an oddity among British and Italian officials – a large Lebanese car known for crashing into buildings in low-lying areas. Furious 7 movie. The carbon-fiber Lykan is equally modest, with gold stitching, a holographic infotainment system and diamond-encrusted headlights. Only seven HyperSports were ever made, and one was a police car in Abu Dhabi.

Bugatti Royale

Bugatti is the only marque that appears twice on our list, because its history is full of extraordinary buildings. Its full title is compelling – the Bugatti Type 41 Royale Kellner Coupe – while the incredibly long hood (which contains an almost 13-litre engine) is jaw-dropping, the passengers bumped into the rear as an afterthought. Seven were made, although Ettore Bugatti crashed one.

McLaren F1 LM

Long before he joined the supercar jet-set, McLaren was known as a Formula 1 and Le Mans specialist. Five F1 race cars finished at Le Mans in 1995, one of which took the checkered flag. Five LM F1 road-going versions were duly commissioned, and the sixth was retained by McLaren – a gift to me after a memorable victory on the world stage.

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail

Throughout its history, Rolls-Royce has given ethereal names to its cars – Ghost, Shadow, Wraith. The Boat Tail doesn’t sound fancy, yet it looks the part – combining turn-of-the-century yacht design with echoes of the original 1910’s Boat Tail Roller. It is based on the Phantom with 1,800 points of difference, not least the wooden back area that includes a parasol, rotating cocktail tables and two fridges.

Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta

Pagani’s two-fisted attack on the supercar oligopoly quickly earned it a seat at the table, with models such as the Zonda HP Barchetta notable for its determination. Sporty rear wheels and a stylish rear spoiler, only three Barchettas were built. Unfortunately, one was disabled after crashing into a Ford Fiesta on a quiet Croatian side road.

Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita

Anything Pagani can do, Koenigsegg can do better. Another millennial entrant into the supercar elite, the regular CCX was out there enough before the 2009 Trevita upped the ante. Only two cars were ever made, such was the complexity of its carbon fiber diamond weave. That’s unfortunate, as the name Trevita means “three whites”, referring to the intended production run.

Porsche 911 Speedster 993

More exclusive than the 550 Spyder of the 1950s (90 units made in total), the mid-1990s saw Porsche produce the 911 Speedster to celebrate Ferdinand Porsche’s 60th birthday.^th birthday. Six years later, they made a second one for comedian Jerry Seinfeld. And the production ended there. Ferdinand’s model now resides in the Porsche factory museum, reputed to have a four-digit odometer reading.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR

From the Noughties to the Fifties, this unusual gull-wing interpretation of the Mercedes-Benz SLR entered the 1955 World Sportscar Championship. Road-going versions get a second seat and headlights, but otherwise, this is still a stripped-out racer. A catastrophic fire at Le Mans ended the 300th race’s career, making the SLR an incredibly expensive and almost historic curiosity.

Maybach Exelero

A Mercedes-Benz offshoot with a growing reputation for opulent and tacky, Maybach came out in 2005 with this one-off coupe designed to test the German’s new tire range. Its top speed of 217 mph was meant to fully test the rubber compounded on those 23-inch alloys. Only one Exelero was ever made, now housed in a German museum.

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