Top 10 cars you've never heard of

By Thesupermat - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13326343

Over the years, a number of automobiles have been doomed to failure: some have suffered supply-chain issues, others cost too much to make. Some simply misjudged the needs and desires of their target market – and some just looked like the back end of a bus. There are many reasons why some models become doomed to obscurity.

Here are 10 of the most obscure cars ever built...

By Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1590475

With lashings of style and performance, the Muntz Jet was quite a car. Its fibre-glass top was pretty revolutionary for the early '50s. Sadly, it cost a lot to build – more than the sale price, in fact. Just 400 examples were manufactured before the Muntz was jettisoned.

By Karrmann - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2257071

'Practical' was not a word with which the designers of the Vector W8 were particularly familiar. The lunatic lines of this supercar make some Lamborghinis look a little conservative.

By Carl Sharp - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17144743

Fitted with a powerful 429-cubic-inch V-8, the Cyclone was related to the Torino Cobra, but had a very special Mercury look and ride. The Cyc' Spoiler II Longnose was developed to go up against the Plymouth Superbird, but was cancelled. Just a few were sold to the public.

By Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1905939

Volvo's attempt to compete with the USA's Corvette ultimately ended in failure - mainly due to a lack of power and style. The P1900 is, however, a unique and cheeky addition to the Volvo family. It’s rare too – most Volvo aficionados don't know about it.

By Thesupermat - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13326343

This British car was designed by Giugraro and featured a Corvette V-8 engine. The Gordon Keeble looked as good as many of its European counterparts, but was costly to make. Just 100 of them were built, which makes it pretty obscure.

You’ll be lucky to spot one of these now – on either side of the Atlantic. Even more obscure are the factory specialty models, such as the Holiday coupe, GT and pace car.

Spookily similar to a Ferrari, the ATS was in fact designed and built by a group of former Ferrari employees. Money troubles finished off the ATS before even 10 cars rolled off the production lines.

The Roadster model of the above CRX was a conversion by the Straman Company. The original became a common sight across the USA, but only 130 examples of the Roadster ever rolled off Straman's lines.

Cars designed by men called Jacques About are rare enough, but when you consider the Manic’s questionable looks and the poorly run Renault supply chain that underpinned it, it’s a wonder any got built at all.

By Mr.choppers - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55266066

The Powell Sport Wagon is a mish-mash of other car parts and was a forerunner of the crossover/SUV of today. Limited component supply eventually saw this Plymouth-based bruiser cease production.