Argyll GT: When Bob Henderson set out to create a Scottish 200mph supercar in 1974, he didn't bank on the oil crisis scuppering his plans quite so quickly. It would be 1977 before the project got going and 1984 by the time the first customer cars were ready for delivery. But by then, the planned twin-turbo V8 had been downgraded to a blown 2664cc V6 and potential customers had lost interest in the project.
Bitter Tasco: Bitter is best known for his rebodied Opels, such as the SC, but occasionally he also came up with the odd off-the-wall project such as the Tasco. Built in conjunction with MGA Developments, the Tasco was presented at the 1991 Frankfurt motor show. Designed to take a V8 or V12 - although the Viper's V10 was favourite - the Tasco never even progressed beyond the full-sized mock-up stage.
Dome Zero: When the wraps were taken off the Dome Zero at the 1978 Geneva motor show, there were some sharp intakes of breath. How could a Japanese outfit produce something so far out? Crazier than a Countach, the Zero was amazing, but its maker couldn't afford to put it through Japanese homologation tests. It wouldn't have been that quick anyway; the 2.8-litre straight-six offered just 145bhp - but what a looker.
Gigliato Aerosa: Although Gigliato was a Japanese concern, its plan was to base itself in the UK and to become a serious rival to the established Italian design houses. That was back in 1994, when its rather attractive Aerosa was unveiled, powered by a Ford-sourced 3-litre V6. With a bit of tickling, a reliable 300bhp could be coaxed from this powerplant - but it was all academic, as by 1995 the project was history.
Isdera Commendatore 112i: Four years after development started, in 1993 the first Isdera Commendatore 112i was supposedly ready for delivery to its owner. Then in 1999 the car resurfaced again - only to disappear just as quickly. Priced at £500,000, the 112i packed a 414bhp 6-litre Merc V12 to give 210mph and 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds, plus height-adjustable suspension and wipers from Germany's 220mph inter-city trains.
Jiotto Caspita: When Jiotto unveiled the Caspita in 1989, it claimed this was a car which would see a return to people driving to a race track, competing, then driving home again, all in the same car. At first there was a detuned Formula One V12 powerplant, but in 1990 a Judd V10 unit was fitted instead, either unit supposedly capable of giving over 200mph. But no customer cars were ever delivered...
Kodiak F1: In 1987, Mladen Mitrovic unveiled a supercar that would supposedly be the equal of anything to come out of, well, anywhere. With its 320bhp 5.4-litre Chevrolet V8, the F1 was inspired by Mercedes' gull-winged C-111; it was claimed to be capable of sitting at 170mph all day, with absolute reliability. Later cars would get a 5.6-litre Merc V8 - except there weren't any later cars.
Monteverdi Hai: When it comes to exclusive supercars, few are rarer than the Monteverdi Hai. Just two were built, the cars designed by Peter Monteverdi himself - despite no formal training. Power came from a 7-litre Chrysler Hemi V8, tuned to give 450bhp and 180mph. With air-con, leather trim and power everything, this was one luxurious supercar - but build quality wasn't up to scratch and the car disappeared.
Nissan R390: The R390 came about because Nissan was desperate to win the Le Mans 24 Hours. When the project started, just one Japanese car had ever won the race (a Mazda); to qualify, Nissan would have to build a single road car. The cars never won Le Mans, but two road-going R390s were produced, each powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V8 that churned out a useful 641bhp to give 220mph.
Panther Six: In the late 1970s, there was a poster of this mad hypercar on every schoolboy's wall. With its six-wheel layout and twin-turbo 8.2-litre Cadillac V8 hung out the back, it was one crazy monster of a car. Just two were built, each one supposedly capable of 200mph, although nobody ever got to verify this of course. If you fancy a Six, the second one built is currently for sale. It's not cheap...
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