No matter how our society develops and how long the years go on, some ideas of the future will never change. Case in point: we are never giving up on jetpacks. Or hovercraft. But whether or not our dreams of casual flight will ever come to fruition, it’s still fascinating to look back and see what the past thought the future might look like, especially with transportation technology, even if it’s only cars. Will round cars or personal 11-seater road boats ever be on the streets? Who knows. We’re still holding out for our jetpacks. Click through for our gallery of retro-futuristic automobiles, and go here (warning, it’s in French!) for even more.
Jean-Pierre Ponthieu’s Automodule, 1968
This guy was nicknamed the “Dali of the automobile.” Well, if you’re going to build the smallest car in the world and name it the “Pussycar,” you better have some clout.
The Ford Selene II, 1962
Tom Tjaarda’s creation has three front seats (the middle one is for the driver) and looks awesome.
The Messerschmitt KR200, 1955
This tiny three-wheeler was created by a German aircraft manufacturer. Obviously.
The Chevy Corvette SS, 1957
Designed for speed by Zora Arkus-Duntov.
The Citroën C10 Ladybug, 1956
Sometimes a lady needs a side hatch.
Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion, 1933
This baby could hold 11 passengers. Also it looks like a boat.
The Maserati Boomerang, 1971
Giorgietto Giugiaro’s concept sports car reminds us of something…a sleeker DeLorean?
[via Lost at E Minor via RetroFutur]