Weird and wonderful cars we saw at this year’s Detroit Auto Show

DETROIT – The Detroit Auto Show is back, and with it comes a carnival of new, unique, wacky rides that are bound to interest gearheads and the general public alike.

MLive journalists were on hand at Huntington Place in Downtown Detroit for Media Day on Friday, Jan. 10 to get an early look at the show. From concept cars to custom classics, take a look at some of the most interesting vehicles we saw below:

Cadillac’s Opulent Velocity Concept Car

The Detroit Auto Show has long been known for showcasing forward-thinking concept cars from established automakers, and this year’s event was no exception. Cadillac highlighted their luxurious electric vehicle concept, aptly named the Opulent Velocity.

Touted as a “pure expression of innovative design and prestigious performance,” the all-electric, scissor-door coupe featured smooth lines, an interior upholstered entirely with blue fabric and low-profile tires partially integrated into its futuristic-looking wheels.

Ford’s Race-Winning F-150 Lightning Supertruck EV

Ford showcased its hot-rodded F-150 Lightning Supertruck electric vehicle demonstrator, which they proudly deemed “King of the Mountain” after its victory at the 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado. Romain Dumas piloted the 1,600-horsepower electric truck up the winding, 156-turn course in a 12.42-mile road race with a finish time of 8:53.553, the fastest of all 61 competitors.

Grounded’s G2 all-electric camper van

Detroit-based startup Grounded showed off a fully built-out G2 electric vehicle equipped as for emission-free van life. The kitted-out camper, based on GM’s Brightdrop Zevo 400 platform, features 270 miles of range, 1 kW solar power, a fully customizable interior and integrated StarLink internet for around $195,000.

MyFlight’s Detroit Helicopter Tour Flights

In keeping with a long tradition of hosting at least one flying vehicle, the auto show featured a Robinson R44 from Detroit-based MyFlight Tours, which offers aerial tours of the Detroit area by helicopter for as little as $55 per person. MyFlight also offers sightseeing flights over Milwaukee, Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, Ocean City, Md. and the Straits of Mackinac.

National Lampoon’s Vacation Wagon and other Movie Cars by Hagerty

Automotive lifestyle company Hagerty has a booth highlighting a collection of seen-on-the-big-screen vehicles including a tribute to the prototypical road trip vehicle: the “Wagon Queen Family Truckster” from National Lampoon’s Vacation.

Other cars in the Hagerty booth include one of the used-on-screen Modena replica Ferrari 250GT Spyder Californias seen in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” a Pontiac Trans-Am K.I.T.T. from “Knight Rider,” the Volkswagen Beetle “Swinger 2″ from “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” and a rare Ferrari 308 GTSi like the one used in “Magnum P.I.”

A Reliant Robin and other Rare, Modified and Custom Vehicles

The lower River Level at Huntington Place features a collection of rare, custom and enthusiast vehicles owned by community members, including the Reliant Robin three-wheeler above. Famously used by Top Gear hosts James May and Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, the Robin was tricycle-style compact car mass-produced in Britain from the 1970s until 2000.

The Gallery, a Luxury and Exotic Vehicle Showcase

Modded Detroit also helped arrange the return of a display of 50 prestigious automobiles from 12 luxury brands, including the Ferrari Monza SP1 above. Brands featured include Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, McLaren, Morgan, Porsche and Rolls-Royce.

Check out some more of our favorite concept cars and oddities below.

READ MORE AUTO SHOW COVERAGE:

Why is the Detroit Auto Show moving back to January?

Your Detroit Auto Show guide: Parking, tickets, where to eat and more

When is the Detroit Auto Show? Here’s the list of dates and times