Not every collector car starts out life as a hit. Some were mocked, misunderstood, or flat-out ignored. They might’ve been ugly, underpowered, or ahead of their time—but now, years later, the story has changed.
What was once laughed off as junk is now commanding real attention from collectors and enthusiasts. Whether it’s because of pop culture fame, rarity, or just the charm of being weird, these 10 cars made the jump from forgotten to favored.
Lamborghini LM002
Before the Urus, there was the LM002—a brute of an off-roader that looked more at home in a war zone than a valet line. It was based on failed military prototypes and came stuffed with a 5.2-liter V12 pulled from the Countach, or in some cases, a marine-spec 7.2-liter engine used in powerboats.
It was wild, loud, and oversized in every way. Most people didn’t get it back then—but with only around 300 ever built, it’s become one of the most outrageous and collectible Lamborghinis ever made.
Pontiac Aztek
The Aztek was ridiculed from day one. Released in 2000 with jagged, clunky styling, it became the poster child for bad design. But if you looked past the awkward bodywork, the Aztek was surprisingly practical and well-equipped.
It had plenty of interior space, decent V6 power, and even came with a built-in camping package. Years later, its role as Walter White’s ride in Breaking Bad turned it from a joke into a cult classic. Now? Try finding a clean one that isn’t being snapped up by fans and collectors.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato
Zagato’s take on the V8 Vantage wasn’t exactly love at first sight. Compared to their earlier work—like the DB4 GT Zagato—this one felt blocky and unrefined. The squared-off front and stubby rear drew plenty of criticism in the 1980s.
But under the odd skin was a 5.3-liter V8 pushing 430 hp and capable of 186 mph. Only 52 coupes and 37 convertibles were ever made, and despite the styling, they’ve become rare collectibles thanks to their performance and exclusivity.
Fiat Multipla
The Multipla looked like two cars crashed into each other, and that was just the front end. Its appearance caused plenty of jokes when it hit the road in 1998. But underneath the quirky shell was one of the most practical MPVs ever built.
It seated six adults in two rows of three, had huge windows, and loads of cargo space. After a facelift in 2004 smoothed out its weirdness, the original versions gained retro appeal. Today, early Multipla models are rare finds and weirdly desirable.
DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean DMC-12 had everything going against it: weak performance, clunky engineering, and build issues from day one. Its 2.85-liter V6 barely made 130 hp, and driving one felt more like a chore than an event.
But one movie changed everything. Thanks to Back to the Future, the DeLorean became an icon of the ’80s. Stainless steel and gullwing doors didn’t hurt either. These days, it’s one of the most instantly recognizable classics on the planet.
Lada Riva
The Lada Riva was old-school even when it launched. Based on the ancient Fiat 124, it became infamous for crude quality, boxy styling, and Cold War-era engineering. Yet somehow, that’s exactly why people love it now.
It’s the ultimate oddball classic—cheap, rugged, and totally unapologetic. In good condition, the Riva is getting hard to find, and its charm lies in how defiantly outdated it is. For some collectors, that’s the appeal.
Nissan Juke R
The standard Juke wasn’t exactly a design hit. Most people called it ugly, and they weren’t wrong. But when Nissan decided to shove a GT-R’s 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 into the Juke’s tiny frame, everything changed.
The result was the Juke R—545 horsepower of AWD madness. Nissan built just five, and only three made it to customers. It’s bizarre, brutally fast, and incredibly rare. In other words, a perfect recipe for a future collector’s item.
Chevrolet C1 Corvette
It’s hard to believe now, but the original 1953–55 Corvette was almost a flop. With only six cylinders and lackluster performance, it failed to excite buyers or live up to its sporty looks.
But when Chevy dropped a V8 under the hood in 1955, the Corvette finally found its stride. The C1 became the starting point for one of America’s most beloved sports car legacies—and early models are now serious collector territory.
Gumpert Apollo
The Gumpert Apollo looked like something designed in a bunker, and the name didn’t help either. But behind the bizarre design and obscure branding was a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 delivering 641 to 789 horsepower, depending on spec.
With a top speed over 220 mph, it had the numbers to back up the noise. Today, the Apollo stands out as a strange but compelling example of what happens when performance is prioritized over everything else—including looks.
Reliant Robin
You’ve probably seen the Reliant Robin fall over on TV—most famously on Top Gear. Built with three wheels to meet a weird British tax loophole, the Robin was part motorcycle, part car, and all confusion.
But that’s exactly why it’s beloved now. It’s slow, awkward, and charmingly terrible—but people love it. Its lightweight fiberglass body, oddball handling, and cultural status have helped it wobble into collector circles.
Like Fast Lane Only’s content? Be sure to follow us.
Here’s more from us:
*Created with AI assistance and editor review.
Leave a Reply