It is difficult some times when faced with the sea of bland modernity in our current car industry to remember that once upon a time cars were often distinctively different, not just in looks but in technology and engineering. Even during their time though these cars stood out for being particularly unusual. They all however managed to be successful in spite of, or some times because of, their difference.
RX7
Despite the lukewarm reception the NSU Ro80 received and the relatively limited life given to the first Rotary Cosmo, Mazda continued to develop it's rotary engines. With rotaries available in its saloon and coupe line up Mazda had proven the technology. The choice of engineering isn't what makes the RX7 suprising, although it is unusual, what makes the success of the RX7 more suprising is the economics around its launch. The Rotary engine whilst certainly a high in quality and engineering principles wasn't great on fuel efficiency, so when the RX7 launch during the late 70's energy crisis it didn't look like a great idea on paper, boasting as it did a Bentley rivalling 19mpg around town. It is however testament to the quality of the machine and the enjoyment of the drive that the RX7 lives on and is still a success today, in the form of the RX8.
VW Beetle
The bestselling car in the world ever, depending on who you ask, the Beetle is without a doubt the very definition of the word success, however it almost shouldn't have been. A design arguably robbed from Tatra, unusual engine location with eccentric aircooled nature, then there is the whole Hitler connection and factory destruction during World War 2. This doesn't add up to 'success'. However due to the persistence of Ivan Hirst and some fantastically imaginative advertising, the people of VolksWagen managed to turn this into the little car that could. What’s more it has shown its quality time and time again over the years, resulting in the sort of cult status most cars envy.
Mini
If the Beetle is a triumph of intriguing design and great marketing then the Mini is a triumph of ingenuity and practical problem solving. The Sir Alec Issigonis penned design put a wheel at each corner and everything required to move a family of four around the country in relative comfort in between. In a world of large lumbering family saloons and sleek Italian sports cars the dumpy little mini seems somewhat incongruous. It may well be that stand out nature, its diminutive size and stylish simplicity that caused it to be the transport of choice for London's swinging set in the 60's. Couple that with its rally success and you end up with an iconic car. Now days transverse mounted front wheel drive small town cars don't seem such an unusual idea but in 1959 the concept really was a step out of the standard engineering box. Oh and the door pockets are deep enough to fit milk bottles in, how many modern cars can boast that!?
Porsche 911
Really you could lump this with the Beetle, except it doesn't come with as much political baggage, the reason it has been separated is that the car is still living, still unusual, still being innovated, and really it shouldn't even work. An air cooled flat 6 powered, sports coupe, with the engine mounted rearward of the back axle is a recipe for many many crashed cars and some eccentric handling characteristics. However Porsche engineers and persisted with the design and layout long after most companies would have given up. By sticking to their guns with the design the chassis and weight distribution has been gradually improved over the cars lifecycle, with the modern 911 derived cars boasting class leading performance and handling. Of course the danger of driving the lunatic 911 Carrera of the 80's is missing now days, which may be a good thing for road safety.
Smart forTwo
So I said at the start that roads are currently a sea of bland modernity, there are still car makers that are willing to take risks and produce something different for that chance at the big prize, the cult car. Some are lazily trying to reclaim or relive old glories, Smart on the other hand looked at the same problems that Alec Issigonis and came up with their modern solution. A small, two seater city car, with changeable plastic exterior panels and a turbo charged three cylinder engine. In the clogged up cities of Europe the risk paid off and despite a troubled start the Smart forTwo has become everything a cult car should be. Expect to see these gracing the floors of classic car shows in years ahead, they already have owners clubs and Smart car shows. Even if you are not a fan the Smart shows that innovation still lives in the motor industry, so the future is hopefully bright for those of us who love something a little bit different.
Posted on: October 16, 2008 05:31