Over the years, car manufacturers have experimented with a number of unique and eye-catching designs. Some were naturally more popular with their audiences than others. Let us take a look at what many consider to be the seven strangest vehicles ever to enjoy the (temporary) limelight.

1. The 1956 Buick Centurion

With a nearly all-glass bubble top and a streamlined design, this model intended to give the driver and passengers a full view of the road. Unfortunately, the design never caught on.

2. The 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt

Said to have been inspired by the streamliner trains of the time, the Thunderbolt had a rather bulbous body punctuated with pop-up headlamps. It should be mentioned that this was the first vehicle to sport power windows; years ahead of other manufacturers.

3. The 1951 GM LeSabre

This was the first model to have a wraparound windscreen and tail fins. While appearing as if it were manufactured by aliens, these two features would become commonplace during the remainder of the 1950s and 1960s.

4. The 1948 Tasco

It is believed that the short-lived Tasco was inspired by the fighter planes of World War Two. Still, a mixture of curved edges and a rather bulky shape appeared to be very out of place and the brand was soon discontinued.

5. The 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne

Only 28 Aerodynes were ever made and yet its iconic design still fetches automotive awards into these modern times. With a shape that falls somewhere between a Bentley and a Rolls-Royce, the Aerodyne exhibits a truly classic (if not slightly bizarre) appeal.

6. The 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero

This design vaguely mirrors the shape of a Lamborghini and can be seen as rather ahead of its time. As it was a mere 33 inches (83 centimetres) tall, drivers literally had to climb through the windscreen to sit inside.

7. The 1950 GM Firebird 1 XP-21

Taking cue from the burgeoning space race at the time, the XP-21 blended the appearance of a missile and a jet aeroplane. Complete with a vertical stabiliser and a bubble one-seater cockpit, this strange model was able to turn over an impressive 370 horsepower.

These are indeed some of the most bizarre concept cars to even have been built. While not all were popular with the masses, there is no doubt that such innovative thinking had a massive impact on vehicles for years into the future.