Ten strangest cars at the Barrett-Jackson auction

From three-wheel electrics to mini-semis, here are the ten most bizarre collector cars selling at this week's Barrett-Jackson auction.

 

 

 
With 1,300 vehicles set to sell at this week’s Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., the managed mania of collectable cars will hit its annual high. Thanks to a growing number of million-dollar models and a penchant for publicity, Barrett-Jackson draws more gawkers than any other such event. Thanks to its open doors for any seller willing to forgo an auction reserve, it also offers a welter of weirdos. Here’s our pick for the most outlandish, starting with a 1998 Corvette with $90,000 invested in a stroked engine, nitrous and a paint job that looks like a fiery rash. 

 

 
1968 Ultra Motorhome: Any wealthy person can invest in classic Ferraris and Porsches, but it takes real gumption to put your money on a Corvair-based motorhome built with airplane construction techinques and all the brown, durable fabrics the late '60s could muster. It could be the coolest band van ever.

 

1971 Kelsen Sports Rider EV
Americans laugh from afar at the antics of European three-wheelers like the Reliant Robin, but there's something shameful in our attic: the Kelsen Sports Rider EV. While it looks like a cast-off from the rides of a traveling carnival, the Kelsen was sold to carry living people on public roads, its plain.

 

There are two ways to get that big rig feeling while driving a pickup: Convert your pickup into a faux Peterbilt, or take a real Peterbilt and cut it down to size with a pickup bed. This example took the latter course, preserving the Caterpillar diesel and 9-speed Eaton transmission of the original. Best of all, you don't need a commercial driver's license.

 

 
1969 2-Man Sonar Submarine
This Yellow Submarine comes with...wait for it...a guitar signed by Sir Paul McCartney. Since it's not actually usable as a submersible, you'll just have to sit inside and hum "Blue Jay Way" while imagining the depths of your nearest fish pond.

1952 Chevy Pickup ratrod
This slammed pickup has already sold for $28,600, because real "patina" -- i.e., rust in several shades of rust -- has become the hottest trend among rat rodders. Forget the Mercedes and Packards; this is the best example of why people sell their cars at Barrett-Jackson.

 

1973 Datsun Custom Roadster
Given the multi-million dollar prices commanded for '60s era Ferrari 250 GT Lussos, the market is clearly calling for increased supply to meet demand. One answer: Recreate the Ferrari body on a Datsun chassis. Impressimo!

 

1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV #2
Barrett-Jackson often becomes the gateway for show cars of yesteryear from the SEMA conference, like this candy apple-red Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV. Because nothing got people excited for an Oldsmobile minivan like a one-off with custom wheels and floormats.

 

2008 Devon GTX
Of all the rare cars at auction this week, only one can claim to be the stillborn plans for a 21st century American supercar. The Devon GTX was envisioned by its creators as a way to launch a supercar business using the tooling and parts of the Dodge Viper, which Chrysler attempted to sell before its bankruptcy in 2009. The Devon was a good-looking model, but with Chrysler now reviving the Viper on its own, there's little room for a privateer.

The Strangest And Weird Car Features

To stand out in a crowded field, automakers have to push the envelope when it comes to adding unique attributes to a vehicle. Sure, your neighbor just parked a brand-new car in his driveway—but does his new ride have glowing speakers, or a built-in perfume dispenser?

We’ve combed through spec sheets and options lists in our search for the strangest new car features. What we found is an automotive world full of creativity and, in some cases, a few items that just left us scratching our head. What exactly is a “Gentleman Function” button—and what is it doing in a BMW luxury sedan?

Grabbing the attention of car buyers isn’t made easier when even the most basic economy car often comes loaded with standard equipment such as air conditioning, power door locks and a window-rattling stereo system. Even a supercar costing $1.7 million isn’t immune to adding some razzle dazzle to set it apart from, well, all the other million dollar supercars.

2011 Mini Cooper Convertible – Openometer

Mini Cooper Convertible owners apparently need an added incentive to drop their tops. How else can we explain the “Openometer,” a tiny gauge mounted on the dashboard that records in minutes and hours precisely how long the fabric top has been kept down. Fitted as standard equipment, the Openometer, says Mini, is “a tool to help keep you aware of your openness…so you can revel in the roofless hours you’ve spent on your trip, cultivating your open mind and a tan.” Our guess is that a few BMW-Mini engineers spent too much time in the sun before coming up with this useless gadget.

 

 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 – Top Speed Key

 

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is among the fastest and most exclusive cars in the world. Not only do you need approximately $1.7 million to buy one, you’ll also need one very special key if you want to unlock this 1001-bhp supercar’s top speed of more than 250 miles per hour. An owner must fit the (unimaginatively named) “top speed key” before attempting to reach the Veyron’s outer limits. Give it a twist, and the Veyron’s suspension and rear spoiler are lowered for better wind-cheating aerodynamics. The steering input is also limited—at 250 mph, you want to make sure all your steering corrections are minor….

2011 BMW 750i – The “Gentleman Function”

The award for the most regal sounding— and totally bewildering—feature name goes to the BMW 7 series and the “Gentleman Function.” Located deep within the vehicle features of this refined Germany luxury sedan, the actual function of this device is less grandiose than its lofty title. Basically, it’s a clever way for the driver to make more room for rear passengers. With a few clicks of BMW’s iDrive controller, the front passenger seat can be maneuvered using the same controls used for the driver’s seat. Okay, but what’s the point? Unless you’re a limousine driver, there really isn’t one. The “Gentleman Function” allows the driver to increase legroom for rear passengers without forcing him or her to get out of the car and use the front passenger seat controls.

2011 Kia Soul – Glowing and Pulsing Speaker Lights

 

By now you’ve seen the cutesy commercials and are fully aware that hamsters have given the Kia Soul their full endorsement. Yet these furry household pets have a trick up their sleeve—or more exactly, a frivolous feature located in the front door-mounted speakers. Crank up the stereo in certain models of Kia Soul and watch as lights surrounding the speakers pulse and glow to the beat of the music. It’s fun, for about five minutes. After that, it’s about as enjoyable as having a bratty kid kick the back of your seat. To make matters worse, these illuminated speakers appear to be part of an ongoing recall related to the wiring harness of the 2010 Kia Soul.

2011 Ford Mustang – Adjustable Dashboard Lighting

 

Lots of cars have adjustable interior lighting, but the Ford Mustang takes top marks for the sheer magnitude of different colors on offer. With the scroll of a button, the Mustang’s gauge cluster can be tuned to one of literally hundreds of hues. This should really be the default sports coupe for any manager of a Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore paint store. What’s even wackier is that, in a weird way, the Mustang’s interior light show really works wonders depending on the mood you’re in. Feeling racy? Switch the gauges to a fiery red and stomp the gas pedal. For relaxed highway cruising, opting for an icy blue or forest green helps calms things down.

 

 2011 Fiat 500 – Perfume dispenser

We tried to limit our selection of wacky features to vehicles sold in North America. But with U.S. sales likely to begin within the next few months, we couldn’t resist offering a sneak preview of the charming (and sweet-smelling) Fiat 500 city car. As an accessory, Fiat offers buyers of the 500 a built-in perfume diffuser for this retro-styled little hatchback. Available in white or black, the electric diffuser fits between the front seats. There are currently three fragrances: Citrus, Essence of Night and Breath of Fresh Air. The intensity of the scent can be adjusted by pushing the plus or minus buttons located on top of the device. About the only drawback—other than the giggling of your friends—is that the diffuser effectively turns the dual front-cupholder into a single drink unit.

2011 Honda Element – Dog Friendly Package

Your opinion of this next feature might be determined by whether or not you have paws and a tail. If you do—or happen to live with a creature that does—then the “Dog Friendly package” offered in the Honda Element could be your (second) best friend. For $995, this option package adds pooch-friendly features like a custom-fitted, soft-sided crate, spill-resistant water bowl, electric cooling fan mounted in the cargo bay, portable ramp, dog-patterned rear seat covers and heavy-duty dogbone- patterned floormats. Extra accessories include a leash, collar, ID tag and, yes, even a dispenser for dog-waste bags. Exterior paw-print badges on the tailgate and front fenders lets everyone know you’re a proud dog owner—as if being constantly covered in Fido’s hair wasn’t proof enough.

10 zero-emission taxi concepts

With urban roads getting congested, it’s always better to hire a cab instead of driving your own ride and getting stuck in the endless queue of cars. Hiring a cab leaves you with the option of discontinuing the journey and finding another cab at a distance. This is the reason we see designers coming up with next-gen taxi concepts that are powered by greener sources of fuel. Check out a list of 10 such brilliant concepts, which could well be on the streets sooner than you think.

MX-LIBRIS

   Designed by Alberto Villarreal, the MX-LIBRIS is a unique concept car that will serve as a taxi in the congested lanes of Latin American cities. The vehicle comes with solar panels on its roof, which provide electricity to the batteries on which the vehicle runs. As a backup, the vehicle is also fitted with a fuel cell platform that ensures a zero emission drive in any conditions. The roof has been designed with a raised border that collects rainwater for the cooling system of the vehicle.

Eco Taxi

The Eco Taxi by Studio Slava Saakyan is a project to create a zero-emission all-electric taxi that can reduce pollution in the atmosphere, making cities more healthy and pleasant. The Eco Taxi can also be used as a shuttle bus, school van, delivery van or a distribution van as well.

UniCab

The UniCab is an all-electric concept vehicle that includes advanced capacitor energy distribution and sources power from solar panels on the roof, brake energy conversion, hydrogen fuel cells and speedy plug-in charge. The UniCab doesn’t look similar to a conventional taxi, but features seating for six passengers, an automated ramp for those with disabilities, an infotainment center which displays the route and attractions along with way.

 Rikscha

Designed by Igor Vishnevskiy, the Rikscha is designed to ferry passengers comfortably across a city without emitting any harmful gases. Unlike an Asian rickshaw in which passengers are transported by human carriers, the Rikscha utilizes a pair of electric motors that power the front set of wheels. The passengers are made to sit comfortably in an enclosed cabin toward the rear of the vehicle, whereas the front cabin is for the driver.

SolarCab

 

Designed by SolarLab, the SolarCab is basically a solar-powered rickshaw that is designed to draw over 80% of its power from the electricity generated by the solar panels covering its outer shell. Developers claim that the SolarCab can reduce CO2 emissions as much as two tons per rickshaw in London alone.

VETP URBANO

The VETP URBANO by car designer Rober Digiorge is an ideal vehicle to transport passengers over short distances in large populated areas. Powered by a 3000W brushless motor, the car will reach a top speed of 80kph and offer a driving range of over 150km on a full charge. The onboard batteries can be recharged in 6 hours using a conventional wall outlet.

London’s Fuel Cell Black Cabs

The Fuel Cell black cab is expected to be on the roads of London by 2012. The vehicle is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system that offers it a range of 250 miles and a top speed of 80mph. Moreover, the vehicle can be refueled with a fresh stock of hydrogen in just five minutes. 

Robotic Taxi

The Robotic Taxi by designer Kubik Petr has been designed for gigantic cities to transport a maximum of two passengers with ordinary hand-held baggage. The taxi is composed of two main parts – an undercarriage and a cabin. The car is driven by two electric motors which are integrated into the rear wheels. Whenever a person needs a ride, he or she will have to call the Robotic Taxi operator who will then scan the system for the nearest taxi, which is then ordered to reach your location. The user can this set his or her destination by using the touch panel, which the taxi would be equipped with.

 Volkswagen Taxi

The Volkswagen Taxi was unveiled at the Hanover Trade Show as a concept for the city of Milan. The van-sized cab is powered by lithium-ion batteries that provide an estimated range of 186 miles. The vehicle features a single rear door on the passenger side which can slide completely to make enough space for getting in and out.

ATNMBL

The ATNMBL Autonomous Taxi by designers at Mike and Maaike is for passengers of the future who will need the comfort of a living room in a taxi as well. The vehicle will generate power from roof-mounted solar panels, which will then fuel the car’s electric motors. With no engine, no steering wheel and no driving controls, the passenger-oriented vehicle will feature modular seating, including a couch, side chair and a low table, which can be arranged in any way the owner or the passenger likes.

Some more Crazily Customized Cars

 Cars with feathers, cars with teeth, cars that give a whole new meaning to Vorsprung durch Technik. We’ve avoided art cars constructed solely for festivals – these 21 bad boys can be found on the road, so keep your eyes open. Yep, it really is possible to drive a swan!

1.Cool cruiser photographed at the Red Lion Run Car Show.

2. Crazy 3-D Mondrian photographed at the Art Car Fest 2006 in San Jose. Sort of like a Rubix Cube on wheels.

3. Customized Ford truck pictured at the Heavy Rebel Weekender, a 3 day festival in North Carolina celebrating music, bikes and cars, and featuring mud wrestling and a beer chugging contest.

4.An RV clowning around in a carpark in Sweden.

5.The safest way to use your phone whilst driving.
.

6.Commissioned in 1909 by eccentric Calcutta millionaire Robert Nicholl Mattewson, the Swan car was hand carved from wood and covered with plaster. It has eyes that glow in the dark, a beak that sprays scalding water to clear a passage through congested streets, and it can even poo on the pavement!

7. Flashy van entirely covered with old cameras rigged to take candid pictures of people who don’t realise they work! See cameravan.com for more details.

8. Designed by Harrod Blank, the man behind the cameravan above, the stereo system and all the instruments on this car work and are designed to be played. So if you don’t like the music where you’re at, make your own!

9. Proof that customized cars can deliver an important message, this one traces the origin and significance of redheads!

10.Cuasimodo is a celebration that takes place in Santiago, Chile, on the first Sunday after Easter. It commemorates a time when Chilean cowboys had to protect the priests that were travelling around giving communion to people unable to get to church. Nowadays, people decorate their bikes, horse-carriages and other vehicles, and parade around the district.

11. Scary but cute – a cheeky little monster photographed at the Art Car Fest 2006 in San Jose

12. Although it may look like something out of Star Trek, this crazy beast was cruising along in South Side, New York, apparently blasting the Electric Slide out its stereo.

13.Bad-ass truck rod caught at the Goodguys southwest nationals in 2009.

14.Eco friendly “transport pod” built from different types of wood, weighing only 450 kg and containing a 2CV engine which helps it achieve very efficient mileage.

15. Summer rollin’ in South Beach, Miami.

16. If you can cruise down the street in a car like that, then you truly are beyond boundaries.

17. Sexy futuristic street rod shot at the Richmond Nationals, 2008.

18.Don’t slam the door too hard, you never know what might happen! Photo taken in the West Village, New York,

19. No car is truly complete until it has a picture on its bonnet of a half naked woman toting a revolver.

20. Lego car parked outside a grocery store. Obviously!

21.The only thing missing here is a time travel button. But, what happens if you push the question mark?