The automotive industry is usually associated with seriousness: engineering, safety, speed. But sometimes designers, engineers or just enthusiasts create cars that cause not admiration, but uncontrollable laughter. These cars become memes, viral hits and the butt of jokes - but some of them manage to stay on the road and even race.
In this article we have collected the funniest cars in the world - from retro cars with faces that look like they're smiling back at you from the past, to modern concepts that look like they were designed by a child. Some of them were created specifically for humor, others are the result of strange design decisions, and others are simply aged into a state of comedic absurdity. Are you ready to see cars that you won't be able to take your eyes off (and stop laughing)?
Spoiler: there will be cars that look like children's cartoon toys, auto with "faces", which seem to be watching you, and even vehicles that seem to have been assembled from what was at hand. And also stories about how these curiosities became Internet stars and why some of them still drive on the roads.
1. Fiat Multipla: a car that looks like an alien with the flu
If you've ever seen Fiat Multipla (1998–2010), then you understand why this car tops the ranking of the funniest cars. Its design is so unusual that it seems as if the engineers specifically wanted to shock the audience. The front end, with its huge headlights and narrow grille, resembles a human face with greatly enlarged eyes and a tiny mouth - as if the car has just heard a bad joke.
Creators Multipla they argued that such a design was needed to improve visibility and aerodynamics, but the public was not interested in technical details. The car immediately became the object of memes, and its owners became the heroes of jokes. For example, in the UK Multipla got a nickname "smiling killer" because of its “cheerful” appearance, which in no way combined with its dimensions.
Interestingly, despite appearances, Fiat Multipla was a completely practical family car with a spacious interior and an economical engine. But its main advantage is, of course, its ability bring a smile to everyone who sees it.
- 👽 Why is he funny? A face with huge eyes and a tiny mouth, like a cartoon character.
- 🚗 Technical Feature: The engine was located under the front seats, which made the interior unusually spacious.
- 📸 Viral fame: Multipla became the subject of many photoshops and memes in the 2000s.
2. BMW Isetta: “potty on wheels” with refrigerated door
If Fiat Multipla looks like an alien then BMW Isetta (1955–1962) is literally a potty on wheels. This minicar had just one front wheel (yes, you heard that right!) and a door that opened forward, like a refrigerator. Outwardly, it resembled an egg or, if you look closely, a pan with a handle.
Idea Isetta was as compact as possible: the car took up little space, consumed little fuel and was cheap. But its design became the talk of the town. The driver and passenger sat practically shoulder to shoulder, and if one of them was tall, his knees rested on the steering wheel. However, Isetta became a cult - it was even called "BMW savior" after World War II, when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy.
Today BMW Isetta is not only a funny car, but also collectible. Some examples sell at auction for tens of thousands of dollars, and owners pride themselves on having a “potty on wheels.”
⚠️ Attention: If you decide to buy BMW Isetta, please note that its maximum speed is about 85 km/h. You won't be able to overtake trucks on the highway!
| Characteristics | BMW Isetta | Modern Smart Fortwo |
|---|---|---|
| Length, mm | 2270 | 2695 |
| Power, hp | 13 | 71–90 |
| Max. speed, km/h | 85 | 150–160 |
| Number of wheels | 3 (2 rear, 1 front) | 4 |
If you want to make a splash at a retro meeting, come to BMW Isetta is a guaranteed way to become the center of attention!
3. Trabant 601: a cardboard car that smells like communism
Trabant 601 (1964–1990) is a legend of the GDR, a car that became a symbol of socialist life. But if we discard the historical context, then it’s just the funniest car in terms of materials. Its body was made of duroplast - a material based on resin and cotton fibers, which looked more like thick cardboard than metal.
Jokes about Trabant They used to go back in the USSR: they said that if a car gets into an accident, you can fix it with tape, and if it catches fire, you can just blow it out. Duroplast was actually quite durable, but looked and felt cheap. Besides, Trabant had a two-stroke engine that smoked as if the car was about to explode and made a sound similar to tractor with asthma.
Today Trabant is a cult object of nostalgia and memes. In Germany they even hold races with these cars, where the main thing is not speed, but survival. And also Trabant became the hero of many jokes about how his owners skimp on everything except laughter.
- 📦 Body material: Duroplast (essentially compressed cardboard with resin).
- 💨 Engine: Two-stroke, 26 hp, smokes like a steam locomotive.
- 😂 Lifehack: In the event of a breakdown, it was possible to repair the car with improvised means - a screwdriver and electrical tape.
Why did the Trabant smell so bad?
The two-stroke engine required the addition of oil to gasoline, which is why the exhaust had a characteristic acrid odor that many associated with the “smell of communism.”
4. Reliant Robin: a three-wheeled vehicle that flips over in the wind
British Reliant Robin (1973–2001) is another example of how engineers tried to make a car cheaper and simpler, but ended up with something extremely funny. This three-wheeled vehicle looked like a smaller sedan, but with one wheel at the back, making it extremely unstable. There was even a popular joke in the UK: “How to capsize a Reliant Robin? Just turn the steering wheel".
In fact, Reliant Robin was quite a practical vehicle for those who wanted to save on taxes (in the UK, three-wheeled cars were subject to lower taxes). But its design and handling have become the talk of the town. The car was so narrow that two people sat shoulder to shoulder in it, and with a sharp turn it could easily fall on its side.
Today Reliant Robin is an object of cult worship. It can be seen in films (for example, in the comedy "Mr. Bean"), and enthusiasts organize races where the main thing is not to win, but not to fall.
⚠️ Attention: If you decide to buy Reliant Robin, be prepared to be photographed in the parking lot and overtaken with smiles on the road.
Drive only on straight roads|Be sure to buckle up (otherwise you will fly out when turning)|Don’t be scared by the laughter of passers-by|Prepare for the car to become a local landmark-->
5. Peel P50: The smallest car in the world (it won't fit your wallet)
Peel P50 (1962–1965) is not just a funny car, it's the smallest production car in the world, listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Its length is only 134 cm and its width is 99 cm. For comparison: some modern crossovers are longer than three Peel P50, placed in a row.
This microcar was created on the Isle of Man as an ultra-compact and low-cost vehicle. Only one person could fit in it (and only if he was not too tall), and the luggage compartment was a shelf in the back, where you could only put a sandwich. Engine Peel P50 had a power of only 4.2 hp, and a maximum speed of 61 km/h.
Today Peel P50 - This is a collectible curiosity. One of the copies was sold at auction for £120,000 (about $150,000), making it one of the most expensive “toys” in the world. And also on Peel P50 You can legally drive without a license (in some countries it is equivalent to a moped).
- 📏 Dimensions: 134x99 cm (smaller than some refrigerators).
- 🚲 Engine: 49 cc, 4.2 hp (like a moped).
- 💰 Cost: At auctions it reaches $150,000.
The Peel P50 is not just a car, but a cultural phenomenon. She proves that sometimes absurdity becomes the main value.
6. Amphicar 770: a car that floats (but it's better not to)
Amphicar 770 (1961–1968) was the only production amphibious vehicle that could be legally used both on the road and on the water. Sound impressive? In fact, this is one of the the funniest and most dangerous cars in history. On land she traveled at speeds of up to 110 km/h, and on water she reached as much as 11 km/h - that is, faster than some swimmers.
The problem was that Amphicar coped poorly with both. On the road it handled like a boat (which is logical), but on the water even a little rough seas could capsize it. The owners joked that this "a machine that sinks on land and sinks in water".
However, Amphicar 770 became a cult favorite. Celebrities bought it, including Lyndon Johnson (US President), who loved to scare guests by “accidentally” sliding into the lake with them. Today, surviving examples are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and their owners are proud to own them. "the most useless, but the most fun car".
| Parameter | On land | On the water |
|---|---|---|
| Max. speed | 110 km/h | 11 km/h |
| Controllability | Bad (like a boat) | Bad (like a car) |
| Security | Low | Very low |
If you decide to buy Amphicar 770, be sure to check it for leaks. Otherwise, your first trip may end in an unexpected swim.
7. Modern Curiosities: Cars That Look Like a Joke
It would seem that in the 21st century, designers have learned to create beautiful and functional cars. But no - even today there are cars that make you laugh. Here are some examples:
- 🤖 Tesla Cybertruck — looks like a low-poly model from a 90s computer game. Its angular design became a meme even before sales began.
- 🐶 Nissan Juke — the front part resembles the face of a bulldog with bulging eyes. The owners joked that the car “looks at them reproachfully.”
- 👽 Fiat 500 (2020) - its cute, but too “toy” design made it the object of jokes about the “Barbie car.”
These cars prove that even in the age of computer modeling and testing, designers can sometimes create something that looks like joke or provocation. But, as practice shows, such cars often become bestsellers - perhaps because they are memorable.
What modern car do you think is the funniest? Share in the comments!
8. Why do funny cars become legends?
It would seem, why would anyone buy a car that makes people laugh? But history shows that these are the cars that often become iconic. Here's why:
- 🎭 They are memorable. In a stream of identical sedans and crossovers, a funny car stands out like a bull in a china shop.
- 💰 They are cheaper (usually). Many curious cars were created as budget solutions, making them accessible to collectors.
- 📸 They are viral. In the era of social networks, an unusual car is guaranteed to get likes and reposts.
- 😂 They make life more fun. After all, why take it seriously when you can ride a potty on wheels?
Plus, funny cars often have unique stories. For example, Trabant became a symbol of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Fiat Multipla - an object of art (it was drawn by famous caricaturists). They prove that a car is not only transport, but also a part of culture.
⚠️ Attention: If you decide to buy one of these cars, be prepared to be stopped on the road and asked to take a photo. This is part of the “price” of owning a legend!
FAQ: Answers to the funniest questions about ridiculous cars
Is it possible to legally drive Peel P50 on the roads?
Yes, in some countries (eg UK) Peel P50 is equivalent to a moped, so you don’t need a license to drive it (but you do need a moped license). However, in Russia and many other countries it will have to be registered as a full-fledged car.
Is it true that Trabant Can I fix it with tape?
This is an exaggeration, but partly true. A duroplast body could indeed be temporarily “patched” with tape or epoxy resin. However, major repairs required special materials.
Why BMW Isetta only had one front wheel?
This was done to maximize compactness and reduce cost. One wheel at the front made the car narrower and lighter, and also simplified the suspension design. However, this also made her less stable.
How much does the funniest car in the world cost?
Prices vary. For example, Peel P50 can fetch between $50,000 and $150,000 at auction, and Trabant in good condition - about $10,000–$20,000. Fiat Multipla can be found for $5,000–$15,000, but this depends on the condition and rarity of the model.
Is it possible to race funny cars?
Yes! In Europe and the USA, special races are held for curious cars, for example, races Trabant in Germany or competitions Reliant Robin in the UK. The main rule of such races is not to win, but to have a good time (and not capsize).