Cars that look like other things

What are some crazy cars that suspiciously look like something else?

What do SMEG, aliens, and snails all have in common? Apparently, they’ve all designed cars.

Well, not really, but sometimes it sure feels that way.

Without further ado, here are some of our favourite cars that look like other things.

Iso Isetta

Ever wondered what would happen if SMEG made a car? Enter the Iso Isetta.

While not actually made by SMEG, this microcar definitely looks like it could’ve been.

Back in the ’50s, BMW was in deep trouble. They needed a cheap, easy-to-make car, and at the Turin Car Show, they found their answer: a weird little three-wheeler from Italian fridge-maker Iso Rivolta. BMW bought the rights, gave it a makeover, and—crucially—added a fourth wheel for stability.

With its giant front-opening door (basically a fridge door), a single-cylinder engine, and just enough space for two (the only microcar where this was possible), it was a hit. Germans lovingly called it the "Knutschkugel" (cuddle coach), and with 161,728 sold, it practically saved BMW from bankruptcy.

At just 7.5 feet long and lighter than a motorbike, it zipped through cities like no other. But as people craved bigger cars, the Isetta’s time was up by 1962.

Today, it’s an icon—a fridge on wheels that kept BMW cool.

Peel Trident

Have you ever watched the film Home, featuring Rihanna and Jim Parsons? The aliens all drive these little bubble-cross-UFO things, and the Peel Trident reminds us of them.

With its normal (but still strange) car body and a full acrylic ‘bubble’ around the driver’s head, the Trident gives you an almost 360-degree view—say goodbye to blind spots.

This quirky microcar, originally built in the ‘60s, is about six feet long and three feet wide, powered by a tiny 4bhp engine. It’s not exactly fast—top speed of 28mph—but it’s fun to imagine zipping around in this little bubble on wheels.

The Peel Trident even holds a Guinness World Record as the world’s smallest production car and two-seater, albeit a cramped one. While it was designed to carry two, the seats are far from spacious.

The acrylic bubble often turned the cabin into a mini oven on sunny days, and for ventilation, there was a hatch on the driver’s side—basically just a hole for your hand to stick out and signal turns.

Not quite the breeze you'd hope for, but hey, it’s all part of the charm.

Autozam AZ-1

From the makers of the Mazda MX-5 (commonly referred to as the Miata), with its cute pop-up headlights that look like eyes, comes something even wilder: the Autozam AZ-1—a car that looks like a bug about to take off.

Seriously, open its gull-wing doors, and it’s like a futuristic robo-insect spreading its wings, ready to soar.

Built under Mazda’s Autozam sub-brand (known for Kei cars and rebadged Suzukis), the AZ-1 actually traces its roots back to a 1985 Suzuki concept called the R/S1.

Mazda didn’t treat this as a gimmick, though.

They put Toshiko Hirai, the brains behind the original MX-5, in charge of the project, aiming to create a miniature supercar within the strict Kei car regulations.

The result? A mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive pocket rocket with the theatrics of a sports car, even if its 660cc engine and 64hp didn’t exactly scream “speed.”

But who cares? The AZ-1 is all about drama.

From its low-slung, bug-eyed stance to those gull-wing “wings”, it looks like it belongs more in an anime film than on a city street. And just like a real bug, it’s small, fast-moving, and impossible to ignore.

Nissan S-Cargo

At first glance, the Nissan S-Cargo looks like a cartoon snail—and that’s intentional. Its name is a pun on “escargot” (French for snail) and “cargo”, perfectly matching its rounded body and shell-like cargo hold.

Launched in 1989 as part of Nissan’s quirky Pike Factory lineup, the S-Cargo was a modern nod to the Citroën 2CV van.

It shared a 1.5L engine and 3-speed automatic with the K10 Nissan Micra, but its true appeal was in its playful styling and practicality.

The 1,230mm-high cargo area made it a handy little workhorse, while huge mirrors, oval side windows, and rear glass doors gave it excellent visibility.

Inside, a table-like dashboard, central speedometer, and single-spoke steering wheel added to its charm. It was often used for business advertising, ensuring it got noticed—something it still does today.

Though it wasn’t fast, the S-Cargo’s quirky looks and practicality have made it a cult classic. Proving that sometimes, looks aren’t everything.

The quirky cars that stole our hearts

In the end, these quirky cars prove that sometimes, it’s not just about speed or practicality—it’s about personality.

From fridges on wheels to snails with cargo space, these vehicles have a way of capturing our imaginations with their outlandish designs.

Whether they were meant to be serious or just a bit of fun, they’ve all earned a special place in automotive history.