Some cars didn’t just break the mold—they smashed it. Decades before their features became standard, these forward-thinking machines were showing the world what was possible.
From luxury tech in the ’50s to turbo power in the ’80s, these trailblazers often go overlooked. Let’s take a ride back through time and remember the ones that saw the future—before the rest of us did.
1. 1958 Chrysler Imperial – Factory Cruise Control
Before most folks even dreamed of long highway trips, Chrysler gave drivers something special: “Auto-Pilot”. This wasn’t some gimmick—it was the first true cruise control system.
Developed with the help of a blind inventor named Ralph Teetor, this system let you maintain a steady speed, long before it was common.
Back then, this was the peak of luxury. Most cars didn’t even have seat belts, but the Imperial let you set your speed and glide along like a Cadillac on a cloud.
For the time, it was space-age stuff.
2. 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – Front-Wheel Drive Powerhouse
You want to talk about guts? The ’66 Toronado was the first American car with front-wheel drive since the Cord 810 of the ’30s.
Oldsmobile threw convention out the window and built a 385-horsepower beast that drove like nothing else.
It was bold, wide, and futuristic. With a flat floor and hidden headlights, it looked like it came from tomorrow. And thanks to front-wheel drive, it handled winter roads better than any muscle car of the era.
3. 1980 Saab 900 Turbo – Early Turbo Tech That Worked
Turbocharging wasn’t new in 1980, but Saab made it work for the everyday driver. Most turbos at the time were temperamental and laggy.
Saab’s setup delivered smooth, reliable boost that made their little hatchback punch way above its weight.
It also looked the part—boxy, European, and full of strange charm.
These were smart cars before “smart car” meant tiny and electric. Saab proved performance didn’t have to mean big engines and rear-wheel drive.
4. 1970 Citroën SM – Luxury Meets Engineering Oddity
If NASA built a grand touring car, it would look like the Citroën SM. It had front-wheel drive, self-leveling suspension, variable assist steering, and even headlights that turned with the wheel—all in 1970.
This French beauty also packed a Maserati V6 under the hood. It was smooth, comfortable, and weird in all the right ways. While America chased muscle, Citroën was building the future.
5. 1991 Toyota Previa – The Minivan from Outer Space
Before minivans were boring boxes, Toyota dropped the Previa—a mid-engine, rear-drive space pod that looked ready for takeoff.
And if you sprung for the supercharged All-Trac model, you got all-wheel drive and torque to spare.
It even had an available dual sunroof, removable seats, and an engine you accessed from under the front seats. Wild engineering for a family hauler.
Toyota gave us a glimpse of the ideal multi-purpose vehicle… before we settled for beige.
6. 1961 Lincoln Continental – Suicide Doors and a Clean Cut
Sleek, squared-off, and unlike anything else on the road. The 1961 Continental didn’t just look elegant—it was elegant.
Clean lines, restrained chrome, and those unforgettable rear-hinged doors made it iconic.
Inside, it was just as refined. Power everything, with a focus on ride quality and silence. Ford built a car that felt like a rolling boardroom.
Decades before Tesla went minimalist, Lincoln made class look cool without going overboard.
7. 1984 Dodge Caravan – The First True Minivan
Credit where credit is due—Dodge saw something no one else did. Families didn’t need land yachts, they needed space and efficiency.
So Chrysler’s front-wheel-drive, car-based minivan launched a revolution.
The Caravan was light, easy to drive, and offered tons of cargo space in a small footprint.
It didn’t scream performance or style, but it quietly changed American roads forever.
8. 1985 Buick Riviera – Touchscreen in the ‘80s? Yup.
Before smartphones or Teslas, Buick put a touchscreen in the dash of the Riviera.
It was called the Graphic Control Center, and it controlled the radio, climate control, trip computer—you name it.
Sure, it was slow and a bit awkward, but it was 1985! This was high-tech living room vibes in a personal luxury coupe. Not everyone got it, but Buick was thinking way ahead.
9. 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SE – The First Car with ABS
Mercedes didn’t invent safety—but they sure perfected it. In 1973, they offered anti-lock brakes in the S-Class, long before it became standard everywhere.
This wasn’t some cheap econo-box either. The 450SE was a stately sedan that showed safety didn’t mean boring. It meant smart.
ABS is so common now, it’s easy to forget who brought it to the table first.
10. 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 – Stainless Steel and Gullwings
Back to the Future gave it fame, but the DeLorean was already bold. Stainless steel body, gullwing doors, a composite underbody—John Z. wasn’t messing around.
While the underpowered V6 left some disappointed, its design and construction were decades ahead. It’s a car that dared to be different in every possible way.
Whether you loved it or laughed at it, you had to look.
11. 1999 Honda Insight – First Hybrid Sold in the U.S.
Everyone talks about the Prius, but the Honda Insight beat it to the American market by a year. It was a tiny two-seater with fender skirts and a futuristic dashboard.
It sipped gas and looked like a spaceship. The hybrid powertrain wasn’t just for show—it delivered over 60 MPG.
Honda didn’t just dip a toe into the future, they jumped in headfirst.
12. 1955 Citroën DS – Hydraulics, Power Steering, and More
The Citroën DS looked like it landed from another planet. Underneath, it was even more impressive: hydropneumatic suspension, power steering, and disc brakes… in 1955.
It offered ride quality no American car could touch. Journalists were floored. Engineers were stunned. Even today, the DS feels like a science project that somehow made it to the showroom.
13. 1970 AMC Gremlin – Compact with American Grit
Long before hatchbacks became cool, AMC took a chance. The Gremlin was weird-looking, but it was short, light, and packed with personality.
It wasn’t just an economy car—it could be had with a V8. AMC gave people affordable, homegrown practicality before imports stole the show. Strange name, smarter idea.
14. 1991 GMC Syclone – Pickup Truck Meets Sports Car
Most folks think of pickups as workhorses. GMC had other ideas. The Syclone hit 0-60 in 4.3 seconds—quicker than a Ferrari 348. All-wheel drive, turbo V6, and a sport-tuned suspension made it the world’s fastest cargo hauler.
People didn’t know what to make of it. Was it a muscle car in disguise? A truck with a Corvette complex? Either way, it left its mark.
15. 1963 Buick Riviera – Muscle Meets Refinement
Built to rival the Thunderbird, the first-generation Riviera blended muscle car swagger with European grace. It had a V8, rear-wheel drive, and crisp styling that aged like fine wine.
The interior? Wood accents, power everything, and a sense of calm class. It wasn’t trying to show off. It just was cool. And like many cars on this list, it showed us what was possible before the rest of the world caught up.
Thanks for taking this trip through time with me.
If you remember any of these rides—or were lucky enough to drive one—you know they weren’t just cars. They were time machines in their own way.