The Hoffmann is undoubtedly one of the weirdest cars ever made. Its design is so unique that it defies comparison to anything else. Sporting a host of peculiarities, including suicide doors, a linear shift pattern, rear-wheel steering, and an air-cooled engine mounted in the rear, the Hoffmann often succumbed to overheating due to inadequate airflow, particularly at idle.
Moreover, the rear-mounted engine was situated atop the rear wheel’s steering mechanism, causing it to pivot along with the wheel’s movement, resulting in a spectacle that bordered on dangerous.
Despite its numerous flaws, credit must be given to Michael Hoffmann, the mastermind behind this unconventional creation, for daring to venture into uncharted automotive territory unlike anything seen before.
Only one Hoffmann was ever made; it is currently part of the collection at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Here below is a set of amazing photos of the 1951 Hoffmann.
Road & Track took it for a test drive in 2015. Pure awesome.
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