Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion Car in Exhibit at the Whitney Museum - NYC

Buckminster Fuller's innovative three-wheel car, the Dymaxion, is part of a Buckminster Fuller exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

The Dymaxion was a concept car built in 1933 (actually, three prototypes were built) as part of a broader goal of Fuller's to improve overall living conditions. The car seated eleven people, got 30 miles to the gallon, and was able to cruise at speeds up to 120 mph. And the car was a huge departure from typical cars of the 1930's. The car steered with its single rear wheel, and could do a U-turn in its own length.

Unfortunately, the prototype crashed at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, killing the driver and injuring two passengers. The incident caused investors to abandon the project -- leaving it as an interesting footnote in automotive history.

At 20 feet long, and powered by a ford V8, the Dymaxion is hardly a minicar -- but we have a soft spot for any three-wheelers -- particularly one as unusual as this one.