Rare cares that had to be kept in museums

Very rare vehicles

Most cars are mass-produced, but some are so exceptionally rare that they end up in museums or are bought by the ultra-wealthy for millions. From ultra-classic to wildly bizarre, buckle up as we explore the rarest cars of all time. Take, for instance, the Helica. Yes, you heard that right—a car with a propeller. This isn't a scene from Wacky Races but the Helica, conceived by French inventor, aviator, and car manufacturer Marcel Leyat. Leyat, known for designing, building, and flying his own plane in 1909—just six years after the invention of the airplane—applied his aerospace expertise to automobiles. His idea? Attach a massive propeller to the front of the car.

An amazing plane

While Leyat's engineering skills were renowned, not every idea he had was a winner. Instead of improving aerodynamics, the propeller proved to be a hazard. Its bulky design obstructed the driver’s view and directed a blast of wind into their face. Worse still, the original design lacked the wire mesh shield found on museum models today, making the propeller a dangerous obstruction. Fortunately for Leyat, only 30 Helicas were ever built, and just 23 were sold. Unsurprisingly, this "plane without wings" never quite took off on the road, but it remains a fascinating example of early 20th-century innovation—much like the advances of the early 21st century, though I’d personally choose smartphones and ChatGPT over the Helica.

Now, let’s shift gears to the Mercedes-Benz Alloy Gulling, a car that looks like a bird. Designed by Mercedes chief engineer Dr. Fritz Nallinger, the Alloy Gulling debuted at the 1954 New York Auto Show. Named for its upward-opening doors, which resemble a seagull in flight, the Alloy Gulling was a marvel of contemporary technology and design. Unlike its steel counterparts, only 29 Alloy Gullings were made, primarily from lightweight aluminum, making them over 170 pounds lighter. With windows—except for the windshield—made from lighter plexiglass, this car was built for speed. Its advanced 3-liter engine could reach 60 mph in under 9 seconds and hit a top speed of around 150 mph—remarkable for its time. Today, only 24 remain, and they fetch a premium; one sold for an astounding $6.8 million in 2022. As I dream of arriving on a date with the elegance of this high-flyer, I’ll have to rely on my own charisma and quick wit instead.

One which costs a pretty penny

Life is but a dream, and if you've seen solar panels before—perhaps on rooftops to harness eco-friendly energy—consider this: a solar-powered car. Meet the Honda Dream 2, a vehicle that may not be the fastest but certainly makes up for it with innovation. In the 1990s, it won the 1,864-mile World Solar Challenge, a race across Australia for solar-powered vehicles, achieving a respectable average speed of 56 mph solely on solar energy. Its futuristic, turtle-like design features a shell covered with 25 square feet of solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity. But what happens when the sun isn’t shining? No worries—the Dream 2 also has batteries to store excess energy, allowing it to run even at night. While its unconventional design included heavy batteries making up a third of the vehicle's weight, the Dream 2 was crafted from lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic to ensure durability and speed for the long race.

As rare as they come, only one Honda Dream 2 was ever built for the World Solar Challenge, which explains why you haven’t seen it on the highway. In contrast, the Mercedes Biome was a concept that never went into production. This eco-friendly car was envisioned to be grown from genetically modified seeds and made from a strong, biodegradable material called biofiber. It was designed to run on biion nectar, producing only oxygen as a byproduct. The concept was intriguing but never realized, unlike the Dream 2.

Then there’s the Ferrari 250 P5 Berlinetta Special—a collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina, and designed by Leonardo Fioravanti. Unveiled at the 1968 Geneva Auto Show, this concept car featured a striking design with a clear rear window revealing the 3-liter V12 engine. Though it was too radical for its time and never went beyond the concept phase, the P5 influenced future Ferraris with its innovative clear glass engine cover. Weighing just under 1,500 pounds, the P5 could reach speeds of up to 186 mph—a shame it never had the chance to race.

Now, let’s look at the Jaguar XK120C. Named after big cats, this car made a significant impact by winning its debut race at the 1951 Le Mans 24 Hours and again in 1953. With a lightweight tubular frame and aerodynamic aluminum body, it was faster than its predecessors, reaching speeds of up to 140 mph. The XK120C's asymmetrical design allowed for a powerful engine while maintaining a low, aerodynamic profile. Production ended in 1952 after just 53 units were built, making it a rare gem. One model fetched an impressive $1.32 million at auction in 2023.

Enter the Robo Racer—an autonomous racing car designed by Daniel Simon, known for his work on movies like Tron: Legacy. Unveiled in 2017, the Robo Racer was the first purpose-built autonomous racing car. With a teardrop shape for aerodynamic efficiency and equipped with advanced AI, radar sensors, and a specialized Nvidia software capable of 24 trillion operations per second, it was a marvel of technology. Despite its potential, the Robo Racer’s slow, pre-programmed performance in its debut left much to be desired. RoboRace, the competition for autonomous vehicles, ceased in 2022, making the Robo Racer a historical footnote in AI and motorsport.

Finally, the Bugatti Royale Type 41—a colossal vehicle produced from 1927 to 1933—was a symbol of opulence and rarity. Weighing around 7,000 pounds and costing a staggering $30,000, it was three times more expensive than its competitors and ten times more than other Bugatti models. Built as a response to criticism of Bugatti's designs, only six were made, with the prototype destroyed in an accident. Today, these cars are considered mythical artifacts of the Great Depression, with only a few remaining in private collections or museums.

And then there’s the Lamborghini Veneno, launched in 2013 to celebrate Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the Veneno featured a 6.5-liter engine and could reach speeds of 220 mph, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds. It’s a testament to Lamborghini's dedication to speed and style, solidifying its reputation as a premier manufacturer of high-performance cars.