The coolest concept cars that should’ve gone into production

Since the Buick Y-Job back in 1938, the concept car has been a staple at auto shows around the globe, an opportunity for a marque to flex its muscles in front of the entire industry. While concepts are less and less frequently being put into production, there’s still a bit of boyish delight in seeing something so wildly futuristic or outlandish being flaunted about on stage. Over the decades there have been some iconic cars that haven’t ever made it to the factory floor – these are the ones we truly wish had:

Where to start but the very first conceptual. Despite having a name that sounds decidedly inappropriate to the immature mind, the Y-Job had all of the makings of a design classic; chiefly that it looked like it would have ferried around a host of prohibition-era mobsters.

The unfortunate victim of restructuring within Ford, the Lincoln was shelved and this concept left in a dark corner at the Detroit show. Like the Buick, the feeling is that this Continental had a timeless appeal to endure for decades, minimal design and suicide doors? Sign us up.

Any motor vehicle with the word Shelby in the name deserves to take to the road. Inspired by the 1964 Shelby Daytona coupé and fitted with a 6.4-litre, 605hp V-10, this was the supercar the Ford catalogue needed and we all wanted.

Into the outlandish and wildly futuristic offering and the distinctly Bond-esque (despite it being a VW) Volkswagen Aqua. The car-cum-hovercraft was designed to be capable on any surface – water, snow, ice, tarmac, you name it – and still reach speeds of 62mph. Now if only it didn’t look like a dingy with a roof.

The epitome of a concept car with bizarre styling that conjures up images of a dystopian 1960s where flying cars are buzzing around the place. The 1956 from concept forefather’s Buick took cues from aeroplanes and weighed similar to one t0o, tipping the scales at 2-tonnes. Although those exhausts definitely look like they could shoot flames with ease.

The Bond car antichrist, the AMV 10 should definitely have had a role in some 007 sport at some point as the antagonist’s transport of choice. The murdered out black paint job potentially combined with a V10 engine looks like it was perfect for terrorising the privileged Hamptons suburbs. On the other hand, get it in silver and it’s a markedly elegant supercar.

To celebrate 50 years of the classic Stingray model, the marque produced this homage, touching on the sheer aggressiveness of the original as well as adding a touch of modern refinement. Four exhaust pipes neatly tucked in a row, scissor doors, a hybrid engine and rear lights that would terrify small children at night; the car was even given a role in a Transformers film.

Mercedes delivered the car of the future at the Frankfurt motor show last year, the IAA or Intelligent Aerodynamics Automobile. The idea was that it would automatically change shape when required, to improve aerodynamics, with everything from the rear end to the rims morphing at various speeds. The sheer science behind it will probably keep it stunted forever, although aspects of it are expected to be brought into future Mercedes productions.

British-based Kahn Design did the impossible with this concept, improving the iconic Defender. The 6×6 leviathan is an utter tank, six inches wider than the original and 40 inches longer. Just to move the thing the engine had to be upgraded to a 430hp GM LS3 V8, and it looks like it would handle just about any terrain this or any other planet could throw at it. The firm is currently gauging interest before going any further.

Stock exchange magnate James Glickenhaus took the unthinkable step of redesigning the very last Ferrari Enzo, although he did so using legendary coachbuilder Pininfarina. The result was the Ferrari P4/5. Closer to a one-off than a concept, the project cost Glickenhaus $4 million and used over 200 original parts designed by Pininfarina. Unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance in 2006, the finished product had more power, better aerodynamics and, arguably, a finer aesthetic than the Enzo.

Images: GM Media / RM Auctions / Dieno-Art / GM Media / Sabino Design / GM Media / Mercedes Benz / Kahn Design / Simon Davison

Main & Featured: Sabino Design

Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?

Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.

Click here to find out more