German automakers have long been at the forefront of precision engineering, iconic design, and automotive innovation. From streamlined pre-war coupes to pioneering 1980s rally icons, Germany has produced a motorsport lineage that continues to influence car culture worldwide. Yet, within this storied history lie a select group of rarities—vehicles so limited or historically significant that they exist in near-mythical status. Below, we explore 15 of the Rarest German Cars in the World, diving into how they were crafted, their making and history, technical specifications, production numbers, rarity, and ultimately, what became of them—including where enthusiasts can still see or experience these precious machines today.

15 Rarest German Cars:

• 1936 Maybach SW38 Stromlinien-Coupé

• 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK “Count Trossi”

• 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

• 1970 BMW 2800 Spicup

• 1973 BMW Turbo Concept

• 1969 Porsche 917 (Chassis 001)

• 1979 Porsche 935 Street

• 1987 Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 “Pikes Peak”

• 1981 Volkswagen Golf G60 Limited

• 1970 Opel Diplomat V8 Coupé by Karmann

• 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster

• 2002 BMW M3 GTR Strassenversion

• 2005 Porsche Carrera GT “Fayence Yellow”

• 2004 Volkswagen W12 Nardo Concept

• 1970 BMW 3.0 CSL “Batmobile”

 

1. 1936 Maybach SW38 Stromlinien-Coupé

Crafting and Making

• Related Keyword: Rare pre-war German automobile

• Microsemantic Keyword: Streamlined coachbuilding

• History: Built during the 1930s era of aerodynamic experiments, this Maybach was tailored by specialized coachbuilders to reduce drag and showcase advanced engineering.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 3.8L inline-six, advanced for the time, delivering silent torque.

• Rarity: Only a limited handful constructed, as Maybach’s focus then was on ultra-luxury custom orders.

• Macrosemantic Keyword: Pre-war automotive innovation

Conclusion

• What Happened: Many examples were lost or destroyed in WWII.

• Where to Show: Surviving units occasionally appear at concours d’elegance events or museum displays in Germany and Switzerland.

 

2. 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK “Count Trossi”

Crafting and Making

• Lexical Keyword: Mercedes SSK

• History: Commissioned by Italian aristocrat Count Carlo Felice Trossi, this one-off SSK featured a bespoke body and monstrous supercharged engine.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 7.1L supercharged inline-six, known as the epitome of Blower Mercedes.

• Jargon Keyword: Roots-type supercharger

• Rarity: Single custom bodywork; standard SSK models were already rare, but Trossi’s stands alone.

Conclusion

• What Happened: Passed through private collections, meticulously restored over time.

• Where to Show: Prominent appearances at Pebble Beach Concours; rumored to reside in a private European collection.

 

3. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé

Crafting and Making

• Related Keyword: Historic motorsport lineage

• Microsemantic Keyword: Gullwing coupe prototype

• History: This closed-roof iteration of the legendary 300 SLR racer was developed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut as a road-going testbed.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 3.0L straight-eight, derived from Formula 1 technology.

• Rarity: Only two prototypes built, making it among the rarest Mercedes in existence.

• Macrosemantic Keyword: Post-war racing innovation

Conclusion

• What Happened: One remains in the Mercedes-Benz Museum; the other was recently reported to have sold for a record sum.

• Where to Show: The museum-located example is occasionally displayed for special exhibitions.

 

4. 1970 BMW 2800 Spicup

Crafting and Making

• Lexical Keyword: BMW concept car

• History: Created by Bertone, the “Spider Coupe” (Spicup) fused targa-style roof panels with a unique sports-coupe aesthetic.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 2.8L inline-six, around 170–200 hp, typical of BMW’s robust M30 series.

• Rarity: A one-off concept, thus never entering full production.

• Jargon Keyword: Targa roof mechanism

Conclusion

• What Happened: Long thought lost, later rediscovered and restored.

• Where to Show: Occasionally surfaces at global concours like Villa d’Este.

 

5. 1973 BMW Turbo Concept

Crafting and Making

• Microsemantic Keyword: Experimental safety features

• History: Paul Bracq’s futuristic design study paved the way for the M1 supercar, featuring mid-engine layout and advanced crumple zones.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder with 200+ hp.

• Rarity: Just two prototypes built, making it a hyper-rare piece of BMW’s conceptual lineage.

• Macrosemantic Keyword: Automotive design revolution

Conclusion

• What Happened: Influenced BMW’s motorsport division; served as an icon for brand direction.

• Where to Show: Often displayed in BMW’s museum in Munich, Germany.

 

6. 1969 Porsche 917 (Chassis 001)

Crafting and Making

• Related Keyword: Le Mans race heritage

• Microsemantic Keyword: Prototype endurance racer

• History: The 917’s debut revolutionized sports car racing, delivering Porsche’s first overall Le Mans victory in 1970.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 4.5L flat-12, producing 520 hp in early spec.

• Rarity: In total, around 25 chassis built; but chassis 001 is especially significant as the first official prototype.

• Jargon Keyword: Flat-12 boxer configuration

Conclusion

• What Happened: Underwent decades of modifications; eventually restored to original specification.

• Where to Show: Housed in Porsche Museum or seen at major motorsport festivals like Goodwood Festival of Speed.

 

7. 1979 Porsche 935 Street

Crafting and Making

• Lexical Keyword: Porsche 935 Street conversion

• History: Believed to be a one-off street-legal adaptation of Porsche’s successful Group 5 race car.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: Turbocharged flat-6, reminiscent of the 935 race tune, but detuned for road use.

• Rarity: Possibly the only functional “street 935,” details remain cloaked in speculation.

• Macrosemantic Keyword: Motorsport meets street homologation

Conclusion

• What Happened: Spent years in private collections, occasionally glimpsed at exclusive events.

• Where to Show: Private gatherings or invitation-only Porsche meets.

 

8. 1987 Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 “Pikes Peak”

Crafting and Making

• Microsemantic Keyword: Group B rally escalation

• History: The Quattro S1 E2 was the final, most extreme evolution of Audi’s legendary rally machines, dominating events like Pikes Peak.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 2.1L inline-five with turbocharging, producing well over 500 hp in competition form.

• Rarity: Only a few genuine Pikes Peak-spec cars exist, making them near impossible to acquire.

• Jargon Keyword: Anti-lag turbo system

Conclusion

• What Happened: Some remain in Audi’s heritage fleet; others in top-tier private rally collections.

• Where to Show: Audi Tradition events in Germany or specialized historic rally demonstrations.

 

9. 1981 Volkswagen Golf G60 Limited

Crafting and Making

• Lexical Keyword: Limited-edition Golf

• History: Hand-assembled by VW Motorsport, combining supercharged G60 engine with Syncro AWD.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 1.8L supercharged four-cylinder (~210 hp), significantly high for an early 1980s hatchback.

• Rarity: Only 71 units built, each individually numbered.

• Macrosemantic Keyword: Early hot-hatch performance

Conclusion

• What Happened: Mostly sold to VW employees or rally enthusiasts; few survive in pristine form.

• Where to Show: VW shows like Wörthersee or specialized classic car meets in Europe.

 

10. 1970 Opel Diplomat V8 Coupé by Karmann

Crafting and Making

• Related Keyword: Rare Opel luxury coupe

• Microsemantic Keyword: Coachbuilt grand tourer

• History: A small run of bespoke Diplomat coupés built by Karmann, marrying Opel’s V8 power with upscale design.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: Chevy-sourced 5.4L V8, offering roughly 230 hp.

• Rarity: Approximately 60 coupes were built, a fraction surviving.

• Jargon Keyword: Coachbuilt bodywork

Conclusion

• What Happened: Overshadowed by mainstream Opel lines, many fell into obscurity.

• Where to Show: Some appear at German classic events focusing on unusual domestic models.

 

11. 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster

Crafting and Making

• Lexical Keyword: Mercedes CLK GTR

• History: Homologation special turned hypercar, with just a few roadsters created beyond the coupe’s minimal production run.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 6.9L V12, around 600 hp, derived from GT1 racing.

• Rarity: Fewer than 6 roadsters built; each sold for over a million dollars new.

• Macrosemantic Keyword: 1990s-2000s GT1 homologation

Conclusion

• What Happened: Collectors prize them for race pedigree and convertible exclusivity.

• Where to Show: Occasionally surfaces in high-end auctions or private hypercar gatherings.

 

12. 2002 BMW M3 GTR Strassenversion

Crafting and Making

• Microsemantic Keyword: Racing homologation

• History: Developed to legalize BMW’s V8-powered M3 for the American Le Mans Series.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 4.0L V8, ~380 hp, different from the inline-six used in standard M3s.

• Rarity: Under 10 road-going examples rumored.

• Jargon Keyword: Dry-sump lubrication

Conclusion

• What Happened: Many languished in BMW’s internal fleet or locked away by collectors.

• Where to Show: BMW Museum events or discreet appearances at track-day meets.

 

13. 2005 Porsche Carrera GT “Fayence Yellow”

Crafting and Making

• Lexical Keyword: Porsche supercar

• History: The Carrera GT boasted a Formula 1-inspired V10. However, the “Fayence Yellow” color was extremely rare, with only a handful specified.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 5.7L V10 producing 612 hp.

• Rarity: Approximately 1,270 total Carrera GTs, but the rare “Fayence Yellow” is said to be fewer than 50 worldwide.

• Macrosemantic Keyword: Analog supercar era

Conclusion

• What Happened: Highly valued among supercar collectors; color alone can double desirability.

• Where to Show: High-profile supercar rallies, private events, or top-tier auctions like RM Sotheby’s.

 

14. 2004 Volkswagen W12 Nardo Concept

Crafting and Making

• Microsemantic Keyword: Concept supercar development

• History: VW’s attempt to showcase a W12 engine in a mid-engine supercar layout, setting endurance records at the Nardò Ring.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 6.0L W12, rumored ~600 hp.

• Rarity: Strict concept/experimental track car; never made production.

• Jargon Keyword: Multi-bank W-engine architecture

Conclusion

• What Happened: The project eventually influenced high-end VW Group vehicles (e.g., Bentley Continental GT).

• Where to Show: Housed in VW’s internal collection, occasionally displayed at brand tech showcases.

 

15. 1970 BMW 3.0 CSL “Batmobile”

Crafting and Making

• Related Keyword: Legendary BMW coupe

• History: This homologation special for touring car racing featured aggressive aero fins, hence the “Batmobile” nickname.

Specifications and Production

• Engine: 3.0–3.2L inline-six, ~200–220 hp.

• Rarity: Only a few hundred built across various iterations, the lightweight version is especially scarce.

• Macrosemantic Keyword: Touring car homologation

Conclusion

• What Happened: Many ended up in private collections or track use.

• Where to Show: BMW vintage events, Goodwood Festival of Speed, or specialized touring car heritage displays.

 

Crafting, Making, History, and Their Shared Legacy

From pre-war innovations like the Maybach SW38 Stromlinien-Coupé to cutting-edge concept supercars such as the Volkswagen W12 Nardo, German engineering has consistently balanced design, horsepower, and automotive heritage. Though these 15 vehicles span nearly a century, they share an undercurrent of pioneering spirit, limited production, and an almost mythical aura that draws collectors, historians, and casual fans alike. Indeed, they epitomize why Germany remains a cornerstone of the global automotive narrative—forever blending function and artistry in a quest to push boundaries.

 

Rarity: Why These Cars Stand Apart

Beyond their top-tier performance or innovative features, these 15 cars remain rare due to the trifecta of:

1. High Development Costs: Over-engineered or heavily customized, resulting in limited production.

2. Exclusive Ownership: Often sold to racing teams, aristocrats, or brand insiders.

3. Historic Significance: Tied to unique eras, milestones, or motorsport successes.

In some cases, wartime destruction or corporate secrecy further constricted their survival, amplifying their mystique today.

 

Conclusion: Where Enthusiasts Can Show or See These Gems

• Concours d’Elegance and Vintage Shows: High-end events like Pebble Beach, Villa d’Este, or Amelia Island frequently display these rarities.

• Manufacturer Museums: BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen have official heritage collections showcasing star vehicles from their past.

• Private Collections and Auctions: Discerning collectors sometimes unveil these treasures at invitational gatherings or major auctions like RM Sotheby’s or Gooding & Company.

• Motorsport Festivals: Iconic gatherings such as Goodwood Festival of Speed or Le Mans Classic occasionally feature iconic German race or road cars in demonstration laps.

Whether your passion lies in motorsport greatness, design innovations, or the mere thrill of finding a hidden automotive chapter, these 15 rarities exemplify the pinnacle of German craftsmanship. So, if you ever have the chance to glimpse one in person, prepare to experience the essence of mechanical artistry—a harmonious blend of engineering might and cultural heritage that continues to captivate enthusiasts around the world.