4x4 and SUV in United Kingdom ›› List of Great Forgotten Cars
Despite dazzling enthusiasts for many years, the list of forgotten cars is a long one - and it expands as time goes by.
So, we asked our motoring research department to create an inventory of notable and significant cars from years gone by that have since faded from the spotlight. Here's the result!
Fact: The release of new makes and models means most of the lesser-remembered vehicles eventually fall off the radar.
Most of the popular motor manufacturers always make a big song and dance about their latest releases.
Even so, when great cars fade from the public eye into obscurity, there are ways to retain the importance they once had.
For example, some of the best British classic cars built in the last 100 years are still around today.
Nonetheless, this list of great cars that are no longer noticed, cherished, or they stopped being talked about, is a combination of self indulgence and a genuine curiosity for keeping "special" cars under the spotlight.
Pro Tip: While we're on the subject of noteworthy cars from yesteryear, another blog post explains where the colourful British slang of "rusty old banger" actually originates from, and why we use it to describe many of the "bangers" you've already forgotten about.
Spreading across four generations, the 1980s version Audi 100 was a groundbreaker. Back then, it was considered as being the most aerodynamic vehicle in the world.
Moreover, the German automotive manufacturer Audi AG released the first production car to feature flush-glazed windows.
If we're talking about pioneers and trailblazers, the BMW M535i had a straight-six engine and was launched as the first performance version of the BMW 5 Series.
This ultra light supermini is limited on power and very little safety equipment. Even so, the AX GT released by Citroen proved to be popular with families who needed a fuel efficient mode of transport.
Produced by the Daihatsu Motor Company, this supermini only needed eight (8) seconds to sprint to 60 miles per hour. At the time, it was considered as being the fastest 1.0-litre car in the world.
The Chrysler lineup had many hidden gems during the 80s and 90s. But, they actually partnered with Renault for the design of this underappreciated sedan.
It seems like every car manufacturer is making compact SUVs these days - including Isuzu Motors Ltd. But, even though it shares many of the essential components with the Isuzu Trooper, there was limited appeal for this funky, rugged sports utility.
Very few British luxury car makers produced a coupe powered by a whopping Chrysler V8 engine. Yet, this hand-built grand touring car was built near Birmingham, at the Kelvin Way Factory in West Bromwich. It was simply an astounding blend of sheer elegance and breathtaking performance.
When they first launched the groundbreaking Rancho almost fifty years ago, they introduced it as a "soft-roader". Put another way, it deserves more recognition than it gets for its involvement in the muddy off-road driving trend - initially started by the Range Rover.
Pro Tip: Another blog article contains a "list of popular cars that turned 50 years old in 2024" but have retained their historical significance and classic styling.
It's fair to say the Mazda Motor Corporation broke new ground with the revolutionary rotary engine. Early rotary-engine cars helped the Japanese automaker establish a strong reputation for innovative engineering.
Not many will remember the turbocharged coupe released by Mitsubishi Motors in the early eighties. It was a four-cylinder rear-wheel drive four-seat fastback sports car that easily rivalled the Supra.
It's easy to forget the front wheel drive 2-door sports car released by Nissan Motors in the late eighties. It is a modular car with unique removable roof panels and a convertible configuration.
This large family car, manufactured by the French automaker, was a European sports sedan renowned for secure handling and refinement - though largely forgotten in the United States.
The Swedish automaker produced a lightweight stunning sports car that had fibreglass bodywork. In fact, a 1972 model is now classed as a historic car and likely to fetch around £9,000 in the United Kingdom.
This two-door four passenger 2+2 coupé had front or all-wheel drive options. Noted for its low coefficient of drag, the aerodynamics and technical specifications of the wedge-shaped Subaru sports coupes were lightyears ahead of their time.
If there was one great car that got lost in a crowded market, you could argue that the compact mid-size sedan from Suzuki Motors may have set the bar too high.
The first generation ran for four years as a hot hatch. Even so, most aficionados will remember its fierce battle for stardom when it took on the Peugeot 205 GTI and the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
In fact, Volkswagen described the Phaeton as their "premium class" vehicle. Indeed, the well known German car makers produced a hyper-luxury sedan that matched many of its competitors, including the Mercedes S-Class.
Editor's Bio: We are self-confessed car fanatics who enjoy writing interesting articles for our car blog - especially here in the United Kingdom.