Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The automotive industry is no stranger to radical designs, but one three-wheeled model in particular certainly looks out of place on the road. Developed in the 1930s, the Dymaxion car features aerodynamic bodywork that, while incredibly efficient, would look more at home in the air or cruising through water than on dry land. Despite its strange styling, the Dymaxion car looked far ahead into the future of travel and incorporated several elements that are now commonplace in modern vehicles.Bettmann / Getty ImagesAn experimental workDesigned by American inventor Buckminster Fuller in the early 1930s, the Dymaxion car was an experiment from start to finish. Fuller's goal was to create a vehicle that could simply go anywhere, whether that be in the air, through the water, or on land. It's clear from a glance that he was heavily influenced by the aircraft of his day.Irving Haberman/IH Images / Getty ImagesIn total, Fuller produced three Dymaxion car prototypes, dubbed Prototype One, Two, and Three. Of those, the first was crashed, repaired, then subsequently destroyed in a garage fire. The third went through a series of owners before it was eventually lost in the 1950s with an estimated 300,000 miles on the odometer. Only Prototype Two has survived to this day. It's currently on display at the National Automobile Museum in Nevada.AdvertisementAdvertisementPrototype One stood 20 feet long and featured a lightweight design paired with a Ford V8 engine that generated 85 brake horsepower. The engine sat in the rear of the prototype and powered the front wheels. Notably, the front axle was actually an inverted rear axle from a Ford roadster. Transverse leaf springs served as the suspension, and the body was composed of sheet aluminum over an ash wood frame. The interior was primarily seating, with room for up to 11 passengers. Prototypes Two and Three received several notable updates, including a lighter chassis, central periscope, recessed headlights, and a roof-mounted stabilizer.The top speed and fuel economy of the original Dymaxion car prototype is debated. While Fuller claimed the model topped out at 128 mph and earned 36 mpg, Jeff Lane, who owns a replica Dymaxion, argues that the vehicle's top speed was closer to 85 mph and earned less than half of Fuller's claimed fuel economy.While cameras were still in their infancy in the 1930s, there are multiple surviving videos of the Dymaxion car in action available on YouTube, all of which are worth watching. This short video shows the Dymaxion driving at a high rate of speed, while this one includes Fuller driving with Amelia Earhart in the rear seat. There's also a longer video of the unveiling of the Dymaxion with narration by Fuller himself.AFP / Getty ImagesThinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.Attention from the automotive industryFuller's radical automotive experiment arrived at the perfect time. The general public had a fascination with airplanes and the future of transportation, which made the 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago the place to be. An event focused on technology and the future, the Dymaxion car fit right in and attracted curiosity from both the general public and prominent automotive figures, including Henry Ford, Henry Kaiser, and Walter Chrysler.GettyWalter Chrysler of the Chrysler Corporation had the most interesting relationship with Fuller and the Dymaxion car. The Chrysler Corporation had produced their own version of an aerodynamic vehicle known as the Airflow. Ultimately, Chrysler recognized that Fuller had already solved the engineering and aerodynamic issues that the automaker was currently working on. Not only that, but the inventor had done so with a quarter of the money and a third of the time that it had taken Chrysler's engineering teams. While both the individual and manufacturer were interested in producing the vehicle, Chrysler noted that the Dymaxion car would be a tough sell due to its radical design.Underwood Archives / Getty ImagesAdvertisementAdvertisementShopping for a new car? Click here to get a great deal on your next vehicle. Powered by Carvana, no haggle pricing, 100% online.Downfall of the Dymaxion carUltimately, the Dymaxion car never went into production. First and foremost, Fuller never intended for the radical practice in aerodynamics and fluid design to become a production model. Second, the Dymaxion faced a slew of bad press, as well as a handful of other notable issues. Frankly, the model was so far ahead of its time that the technology wasn't in place to make it a viable vehicle. That was just a part of the Dymaxion car's downfall, though.Washed AshoreIn 1933, the Prototype One was involved in a serious crash at the front entrance of the Century of Progress World's Fair. The Dymaxion car was involved in a collision with another vehicle and rolled over, killing the driver, Francis Turner, and injuring several passengers. While the cause of the accident is debated, it made headlines in New York and Chicago, among other major cities. The press failed to indicate that it was a two-vehicle accident, instead suggesting the cause of the crash was due to the vehicle's design.The Dymaxion's handling proved to be another sticking point. The rear-steering, three-wheel configuration offered incredible maneuverability, but it proved to be dangerous at high speeds. The 20-foot-long body didn't play well with crosswinds, resulting in handling that could be unpredictable and difficult, even for the most experienced drivers.Washed AshoreFinal thoughtsWhile the Dymaxion car was never intended to be a commercial vehicle, it received an incredible amount of interest in a period when businesses faced restricted financing and hesitant investors. Fuller never intended to manufacture a viable vehicle. Rather, the Dymaxion car was a prototype that explored aerodynamics, engineering, and the future of travel. In that regard, the model was a success, and many of its innovations played a role in the development of vehicles in the decades that followed.AdvertisementAdvertisementDisclaimer: Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. 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