Cyclops II

Tiny, eccentric cars have always captivated enthusiasts, but few are as delightfully strange as the Cyclops II.

Originally conceived as a joke in a 1957 Road & Track satire by cartoonist Stan Mott, the fictional car became real when the magazine actually built it.

Since then, a handful of replicas have been created—each celebrating the vehicle’s wonderfully absurd spirit.

Despite its minuscule dimensions, the Cyclops II radiates personality. Compared to it, a BMW Isetta seems almost luxurious.

The car rides on tiny wheels and looks barely large enough to fit a driver—but it’s fully functional, with just enough room for two people, provided they don’t mind sitting in a near-fetal position.

Power comes from a chain-driven, single-cylinder Briggs & Stratton engine producing around 6.5 horsepower.

The original Cyclops II could reportedly hit 20 mph (32 km/h). The car measures only 52 inches tall, 48 inches long, and 38 inches wide.

Despite its size, the Cyclops II has appeared at prestigious events like the Rallye Monte Carlo and the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen—proof that a good sense of humor can sometimes be more impressive than horsepower.