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The MID4 was first unveiled at the 1985 Frankfurt Autoshow. The design was inspired by the contemporary mid-engine European sports cars such as the Lotus Esprit and the Ferrari Testarossa. Its all-wheel-drive system distributed the power from the newly designed VG30DE engine with 33% to the front and 67% to the rear and predecessor to the ATTESA system. The naturally aspirated V6 engine was rated at 245 PS (242 hp; 180 kW). The MID4 was also the first car to feature Nissan's brand new HICAS four-wheel steering system and had a claimed top speed of 249 km/h (155 mph). For better handling, a multi-link rear suspension and a double-wishbone front suspension were added. The ATESSA and the HICAS systems would eventually make their way to the Nissan Skyline GT-R in 1987. The Nissan MID4-II would be presented in 1987. Source: Nissan MID4 - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_MID4 Images: Nissan; JOHN LLOYD Collection

The LUC-2 had a light sports design with a patented retractable hardtop. This concept was presented at the 1985 Tokyo Motor Show. Source: www.conceptnissan.com Images: Nissan

The Nissan EV Resort was designed for use in resorts. More than 40 units were sold to resort hotels. Comment below if anything else is known about this rare open-air concept van. Source: https://global.nissannews.com/ Images: Nissan

Before the 1985 Guide II was the 1977 Nissan Guide I. The EV Guide II was exhibited at the 26th Tokyo Motor Show in 1985 and is a one-box type, six-seater electric car (remodeled after the show to add a roof). The clean performance of this electric car made it ideal for transporting royalty and other state guests on VIP factory visits, and it performed admirably as a guide car for many years. Source: www.nissan-global.com Images: Nissan

Shown at the 1985 Tokyo Auto Show, the CUE-X represented a potential sedan of the ’90s. It utilized a 3-liter 24v V6 turbocharged powerplant providing 300hp through an automatic transmission. Engine & performance: Type: V6, DOHC, 24-valve, twin-turbo Capacity: 2960 cc Power: 300 hp Torque: 400 Nm Drive: 4WD, 4WS Top speed: 250 km/h Dimensions: Length: 4860 mm Width: 1850 mm Height: 1305 mm Wheelbase: 2800 mm Source: www.conceptnissan.com; allcarindex Images: Nissan; JOHN LLOYD Collection

At the 1985 Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan COM COM, the "heel" of the delivery service, debuted. For the most convenient parking, the front left door could slide ... forward! The rear side window was roll-up, and the rear doors were swing doors. In terms of electronics, COM COM was not inferior to the Mazda Telecom Delivery concept: there was a navigation system, a telephone, an audio system with a CD changer, an on-board computer, and climate control - in general, all the benefits of civilization that were available at that time for cars. The status of the concept allowed the company to "roam from the heart" but did not reach the COM COM pipeline. Source: motor.ru Images: Nissan

"Be-1" was exhibited as a reference at the 26th Tokyo Motor Show in 1985. Its concept was "Coziness-oriented Car." The car body was based on the first generation March K10, but its styling and interior reminded people of good old cars. The name comes from "Plan B-1". Based on a "nostalgic modern" concept, the Be-1 design was well balanced, using rounded features typified by the headlights. The concept extended to the cabin interior, with its full-cloth knit upholstery and round ventilation grilles combining comfort and fun. The canvas top version was launched in March 1987. Notable was its use of recyclable thermoplastic resin (a world first). When the model was rolled out with a production limit of 10,000 in January 1987, more than 10,000 orders were made, and buyers were decided by lottery. Be-1 triggered the production of the Nissan Pike Car Series of PAO and FIGARO. The meaning of the word "pike" was "edgy," and pike cars were highly unique cars that were manufactured in limited volume. Source: Nissan Heritage Collection Images: Nissan; JOHN LLOYD Collection

The 1985 Mitsubishi MP-90X concept was a highly aerodynamic concept with advanced (for the time) navigation and telecommunications systems. Presented at the 26th Tokyo Motor Show, whose theme was “The New Generation of Vehicles,” the MP-90X was supposed to preview the cars of the 1990s. Engine & performance: Capacity: 1.3-liter Drive: 4WD, 4WS Dimensions: Length: 4380 mm Width: 1850 mm Height: 1345 mm Wheelbase: 2520 mm Source: Mitsubishi MP-90X (1985) : cassettefuturism. https://www.reddit.com/r/cassettefuturism/comments/rfnakw/mitsubishi_mp90x_1985/

The MG EX-E was a feasible production car undertaken by Austin Rover in 1985. The design was supervised by Roy Axe, the Design Director of Rover, and the cars were based around the Metro 6R4. The MG EX-E had an aluminum chassis and a plastic body. The engine was a 3 liter DOHC 24 valve V6 engine, with 253 bhp at 7000 rpm and a top speed of 170 mph (claimed). The car was never put into production. However, the shape influenced cars of the late 1980s and 1990s, such as the 1989 Honda NSX. First shown to the world at the 1985 Frankfurt motor show, it is fair to say that the MG EX-E shocked visitors simply because it was so attractive and so unexpected. At the time of the EX-E's debut, MG could only offer the "M" cars - sporting saloons and hatchbacks - so it came as a pleasant surprise to note that the company was still interested in the idea of designing and producing sports cars. The EX-E's frontal design and glasshouse meant it bore a striking resemblance to the previous year's Honda HP-X concept, styled by Pininfarina. Source: Lotusespritturbo.com; Keith Adams - www.austin-rover.co.uk Images: Concept Car Central

1985 Mercedes-Benz Le Mans Prototype by Colani was a radically aerodynamic Le Mans prototype that was never actually raced. Colani's other Mercedes Le Mans concept was from 1970. Source: gismo-n-wheelz.tumblr Images: Colani Design; www.histomobile.com

Mazda’s MX-03 sport coupe concept was built on a 106.7-inch wheelbase, and at 177.5 inches long, was about the size of a Ford Taurus. The 4-seater had 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering, and antilock brakes. Power was supplied by a 3-rotor rotary engine that produced 320 horsepower and came mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Mazda reported that the MX-03 could streak from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 5-seconds and top out at 186 miles per hour. Source: Concept Vehicle - Concept Car History | Chicago Auto Show. https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/concepts/vehicle/1986/mazda/mx-03/ Images: Mazda; Concept Car Central

Isuzu COA-2 is mid-engine test bed with an intercooled, DOHC turbo. It's Isuzu's "maybe" model. This pretty targa top, if it's ever produced, will be little Isuzu's way of one-upping Goliath Toyota's MR2. The mid-engine, 2-seater Mister Two tested the waters and found them roiling with customers for well-executed, affordably priced, real sports cars, not make-believe sporty cars. The Isuzu COA-2's edge is how it puts the power to the pavement: through all four wheels. And a 16-valve inter-cooled turbo makes sure there's plenty of oomph to go around. It was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show of 1985. Engine & performance: Position: mid-engined Type: 4-cylinder, in-line, DOHC Capacity: 1.5-litre; 2-litre Drive: 4WD Source: Popular Mechanics, Dec 1986; allcarindex Images: https://carsthatnevermadeitetc.tumblr.com/

International Automotive Design (IAD) was founded in Britain in the 1970s, but its real glory days did not arrive until the 1980s. Eventually, it opened offices in California, Detroit, Tokyo, Paris, Frankfurt, and Turin and became mainstream. At the 1985 Frankfurt Auto Show, IAD showed its expertise in computer-aided design with the Arrival, an aerodynamic proposal for a future 5-door family saloon designed entirely on computer . Source: IAD Arrival | Classic Cars Wiki | Fandom. https://classiccars.fandom.com/wiki/IAD_Arrival Images: Concept Car Central

The Ford Urby was a concept car bult in 1985 by Ghia for Ford. The Urby is yet another concept that has been inspired and built on the Fiesta platfrom. Dimensions: Length: 3540 mm Width: 1555 mm Height: 1430 mm Wheelbase: 2265 mm Source: Ford Urby | Classic Cars Wiki | Fandom. https://classiccars.fandom.com/wiki/Ford_Urby Images: Ford Motor Company

The Ford Probe V was the final advance in that series of aerodynamic concepts built by Ghia, being built in 1985. It achieved a 10% reduction in drag coefficient, achieving a 0.137 Cd compared to the Probe IV’s 0.152 Cd. The Probe V represents a subtle refinement of the Probe IV. Along with being more efficient aerodynamically than Probe IV, Probe V has more character than its technically-styled predecessor. A two-door Probe V uses a novel door design that swings out on short parallelogram hinges until it clears the side of the body, then slides back out of the way, creating wide and unobstructed interior access. Probe V also further develops the flexible membrane front-wheel skirt seals introduced on Probe IV. However, the Probe V skirt seals are integrated into the body’s outer surface, so when the front wheels are turned, the membrane flexes to clear the tires. The Probe V greenhouse is all glass, including the roof. It is full of many other small technical and functional novelties such as the heads-up display, instrumentation that repositions with the steering wheel, and a rear window that operates much the same as the doors, sliding out of the way instead of being on conventional hinges. Probe V even has roll-up rear seats. Helping achieve a smooth and aerodynamic profile, Probe V is also mid-engined, a notable technical accomplishment in a four-seat sedan. Every Ford Probe Concept: 1979 Ford Probe I Concept by Ghia 1980 Ford Probe II Concept by Ghia 1981 Ford Probe III Concept by Ghia 1982 Ford Probe IV Concept by Ghia 1985 Ford Probe V Concept by Ghia Source: Ford Probe V | Classic Cars Wiki | Fandom. https://classiccars.fandom.com/wiki/Ford_Probe_V Images: Ford; Concept Car Central; www.scottgrundfor.com

Maya evolution, the II ES, is the stylistic evolution created by Italdesign, using the Ford engine. After prototypes of Lotus Etna and Maya premiered at Turin Motor Show, Ford requested the development of a model with a modified design (Maya II ES) and a spare car with a longitudinal engine (Maya II EM). Maya's general architecture remains the same, but the lines are here smoother. Ford requests are primarily bound to particular solutions like using a central air intake like the one used for Ferrari. It is curious to know the story of the painting: Ford wanted a flaming red, but when Maya II ES came back to Italdesign, it was immediately re-painted in two different tones of metal grey. Source: ItalDesign Images: ItalDesign

The third variation on theme "Maya," the II EM, requested by Ford, is a working prototype with a longitudinal rear central engine. After Turin Motor Show's success in 1984, Ford asked Italdesign the design of a styling model (Maya II ES) and spare car with a central engine to test the mechanics on the road (Maya II EM). Painted in Ferrari red, Maya II EM was finished in July 1985 and immediately moved to USA at Dearborn, headquarter of Ford. Unlike the Maya, the great engine hood wedged at the end of the roof disappeared and was substituted with a door. Even the second light disappears, substituted with three vertical slits. The engine is a Ford 6 V 3 liters, 300 hp bi-turbocharged. Source: ItalDesign Images: ItalDesign

The Ford Eltec is a concept car that was built in 1985. The name for this concept comes from 'Electronic Technology' and was built to demonstrate the practical advantages of using modern electronics in a family car. Several novel features were controlled by microprocessors, such as ionization feedback, intake port, variable geometry induction, and an electronic throttle. The Eltec was a three-door hatchback with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable multi-speed gearbox. The 1.3-liter engine produced around 87 hp. Source: Ford Eltec | Classic Cars Wiki | Fandom. https://classiccars.fandom.com/wiki/Ford_Eltec Images: Ford Motor Company; Concept Car Central; Ford Oldtimer und Motorsport Club Cologne e.V.

The 1986 Fiat Halley Concept by Maggiora was a futuristic coupé prototype based on the Fiat Uno designed by Paolo Martin (pictured) presented at the Turin Motor Show and Frankfurt Motor Show. It was named after Halley’s Comet, which was visible from Earth in 1986. Engine & performance: Type: Fiat Uno, 4-cylinder Capacity: 903-1302 cc Power: 45-70 hp Dimensions: Length: 3680 mm Width: 1650 mm Height: 1320 mm Wheelbase: 2350 mm Source: carsthatnevermadeitetc.tumblr; allcarindex

The Tokyo Motor Show usually throws up more wacky ideas and quirky designs than you'd find at a dozen European events. Daihatsu begets more than its fair share of concept cars among Japan's smaller makers. In 1985, it presented an amazing 32 concepts in Tokyo under a "Small vehicles with a big dream" banner. The Trek, with its single-seat, rugged stance, and high ground clearance, is among them. It was intended as a pseudo-quad-bike, but the seat and steering column dropped away to turn the Trek into a comfy single bed, with a pop-up tent to keep mosquitoes at bay. Source: How to design cars like a pro: a comprehensive guide to car design from the top professionals - Tony Lewin, Ryan Borroff Images: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION.