Weird Automobiles | A Look into the UK’s Strangest and Rarest Cars

While thinking or talking about the world of automobiles, what comes to your head first? Luxury, performance or even practicality? But every so often the automotive industry comes up with a truly bizarre design—cars that make you stop and think “What have they created?” If the design is eccentric, the production is even more rare and astonishing. Such designs are bound to drive curiosity regarding their place of origin and story behind them. 

For starters, what do you consider to be the most unusual car globally? And most importantly for those in the UK, which car would you consider the rarest of them all? Join me as we dive into unique automobiles that not only left a mark in our one-off prototypes but also in oddball production runs.

The UK’s Passion Towards its Motor Aliens

When it comes to spicing things up, the UK has long been home to an insane mix of automotive tastes. Be it the three wheeled or the Reliant Robin, Rolls Royce luxury, and the list goes. This car culture, fueled by social media, does not fear to be different but rather strive to stand out. The fuel does not end with car shows as private collections such as these encourage the need to grab a hold of the most insane vehicle designs.

In the year 2025, UK car lovers are still wondering: “Is there a 1 of 1 car?” Absolutely—more than you might think.

1. Peel P50 – World Smallest Road-Worthy Vehicle

We cannot overlook the strange-looking Peel P50 – one of the most iconic micro cars to exist. The Peel P50 was manufactured in the Isle of Man during the 1960 and is recognized under the Guinness World Records for being the smallest road-worthy car in the world. 

This ‘car’ only has three wheels and one headlight and could be driven with a full driving UK’s driving license. The P50 was as small as a shopping cart, yet can drive on public roads. People still recall the day Jeremy Clarkson drove it through BBC Television Centre on Top Gear.

Having only 50 manufactured sets it in the discussion of most rare cars to exist in Britain. If you’re asking the often-heard ‘What is the rarest car in the UK?’ question, the Peel P50 is indeed a strong contender.

2. Rolls-Royce Sweptail – Custom Build Luxury Vehicle

If you’re Looking for,” Is There A 1 Of 1 Car?” By Now You Should Have Guessed It, It is None Other Than This Custom Build Swiftail Rolls-Royce. There was this client who often requested cars over the years. This custom began with a call to design a personalized model which added elements from classic Rolls Royce cars alongside luxury yachts.

It’s the combination of spacecraft-like body style and lavish features that makes the Sweptail so extraordinary. With a price tag of over £10 million, it skyrocketed to one of the most expensive cars ever made. Furthermore, it’s estimated to have taken more than 4 years to complete.  

With a sole existing copy, the car undoubtedly verifies its status as “What is the rarest car to exist?” and “Is there a 1 of 1 car?”  

3. Fiat Multipla – So Ugly, It Became a Legend  

Fiat Multipla stands as a challenger for the title of weirdest car and that’s for a good reason. Despite being relentlessly mocked for its borderline unacceptable design, the Multipla gained a reputation as iconic and was never out of the spotlight.  

Unlike other cars on this list, the Multipla isn’t considered rare. Plenty were sold during production, but it’s uncommon to see one dipped through the roads of the UK nowadays. The unique aesthetics cement the vehicle’s spot on the list. Multipla qualifies as the most unusual car in the world when the definition includes “glaring” at traffic lights.

4. TVR Cerbera Speed 12 – A British Beast Too Powerful to Sell

Thunderous acceleration was another British car TVR strived for. They wanted to accomplish the “ultimate supercar”, and the Speed 12 certainly turned heads. It was marketed at over 1,000 horsepower, and deemed too powerful for the road by its own creators.

Only one was ever road-legal and sold to a private buyer. It’s brute force and designer elements make it a contender for one of the strangest cars to be manufactured in the UK.

When it comes to the question “Is there a 1 of 1 car?” The Speed 12 proudly stands up claiming, “Yes, and I am British.”

5. Aston Martin Bulldog – A Futuristic Throwback

Aston Martin has always been a name that stood out in the automotive industry. They started with a concept car back in 1979 called the Bulldog. Something that looks like it comes out of a science fiction movie. With its wedge structure, gullwing 

door and concealed headlight, it definitely made an impact.

Although there was only one ever made, Aston Martin hinted towards making more. Recently in 2022, the sole Bulldog was restored, and astonished everyone by reaching 205 mph during testing.

In the UK, car enthusiasts consider it both a myth and marvel. It’s safe to say it is a major contender for the title “What is the rarest car in the UK?”  

6. Nissan S-Cargo – A Rolling Snail

Nissan S-Cargo is a commercial van that looks like a cartoon character. Its name is derived from the French word for snail, escargot. Although originally built for the Japanese market, a few models found their way to the UK as imports.  

Since it has never been sold in Britain, it is still missing from the English Isles. The few cartoonish models that were imported are now considered art. Looking at the plant-esque headlights and bulgy curves, it seems this peculiar vehicle was drawn from a child’s imagination.  

If we were to vote for the answer to the question “What is the most bizarre car?” in terms of creativity, design, and overall appeal, this would be the winner, hands down.  

7. Bristol Fighter – Underrated and Undeniably Odd

These cars were quite modern and were not famous for following norms, Fighter being their best example. The Fighter’s design elbowed classic aircrafts alongside giving a high speed sporty look which made it unique and sleek.  

With a production line that established merely 20 cars, the amount left in England is a mystery. Perhaps the strangest thing left about it is the rumor going around that one version, Fighter T, was said to reach 270 heels, miles per hour that is, without any confirmation from Bristol.

This car checks every box when it comes to weird mystery and strangeness. 

8. BMW Isetta – The Fridge on Wheels

The fridge also known as the BMW Isetta is a 3 wheeled car that has a single front-opening door that resembles a fridge. When we talk about disembarking from a vehicle, it requires one to step out onto the footpath by swinging the whole front panel open. 

The Isetta has its roots in Germany, but its UK assembly under license skyrocketed in popularity during the post-war fuel crisis. It is now considered obsolete but car fanatics still appreciate its great design and small size. 

You can call it uncommon, as it is definitely considered one of the answers to “What is the most unusual car?” when it comes to cars that ever drove in the UK.

9. The Light Car Company’s F1 for the Road – Rocket

The F1 for the road is a minimalistic vehicle built more for tracks than roads designed by Gordon Murray who also happens to be the genius behind McLaren F1. 

The vehicle was built in the 90s and the quantity came out to 55. It doesn’t have a roof or doors and is looked at as a tube with wheels. Nevertheless, it’s a street approved car. The engineering genius in the Rocket is unmatched among all the cars that claim the position.

A lightweight category “What is the rarest car to exist?” the answer has never been found until now.

10. The Phantom Corsair – A True Alien on Wheels

About its make, an American model but later moved to the United Kingdom, the Phantom Corsair raised many eyebrows with its futuristic design. Built in the 1930’s, it looked like it was built 50 years in the future.

Its smooth contours, low riding form, and covered wheel gave it the appearance of a spaceship. It is said that the Phantom Corsair was completed in just a single unit, hence, this car is as rare as it gets.

Imagine spotting the only one parked at a classic British motor show, your instinctive response would have to be, “Isn’t that a 1/1?” You would be answered with a confident yes.

What is Their Significance?

The exotic shapes of cars were not intended solely for talking purposes. They are a mark of creativity, innovation and at the same time spread madness in its finest form. Instead of following the conventional car designs, these cars break boundaries. Whatever the case may be, they eloquently express the marvelous creativity that keeps the automotive industry alive.

The automotive industry has a reputation for peculiar and dull vehicles, but in reality is speculated to be one of the best hobbies for automobile enthusiasts. Especially those residing in the UK.

Concluding Comments

And what cars could be more strange than  the fridge door BMW Isetta, the tiny Peel P50, or a £10 million Rolls Royce Sweptail? What about the rarest car in the UK? Undoubtedly, we would have some great contenders.  

No matter how weird one may find these vehicles, they will always have a soft spot in their hearts. People will always cherish such cars, especially the British who are known to love the bizarre.