Top 10 Craziest Limited Editions You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

You Know How Car Brands Sometimes Get a Bit Wild?

You know how it is. Some car makers just can’t resist throwing in a little madness once in a while. They’ll take a normal car that everyone knows, give it a funky twist, and suddenly it’s this ultra-rare, "what on earth is that?" kind of car. And here’s the thing: these cars are out there, but most people have no clue they even exist. At Dace Motor Company, we’ve seen our fair share of unique cars roll through our four showrooms in Stockport and Manchester. Every now and then, a quirky special edition pops up and makes everyone stop for a second look. Let’s face it, car companies don’t always make sense with these editions. Sometimes it’s a celebration of a random anniversary, or they’ve teamed up with a ski company, or even just slapped a wild paint job on it and called it something like "Night Shadow Edition." But the cool part is, these cars end up being collector’s items because they’re so different. They’re the kind of cars where, if you see one parked in a Tesco car park, you’ll find yourself walking around it just to see all the details. The thing is, Stockport and Manchester aren’t exactly places where you’ll spot every rare car under the sun. But every now and then, we get lucky. And trust us, as a company that’s been selling cars for over 25 years, we’ve seen a few of these oddballs that make us smile. So, we’ve put together a list of 10 of the craziest limited editions you probably didn’t know existed. Grab a brew, because this one’s a long ride.

1. Fiat Panda 4x4 Steyr

Now, the regular Fiat Panda is cute, right? It’s the sort of car you imagine parked outside a little café in Italy with a basket of baguettes on the passenger seat. But the Fiat Panda 4x4 Steyr? That’s a whole different level. This was basically Fiat’s idea of making a tiny mountain goat. Built with Austrian engineering by Steyr-Puch, it could tackle snow and rough terrain like a proper off-roader. It’s not your usual flashy sports car, but the sheer quirkiness of this little beast makes it a collector’s dream. Most people have never even heard of the Steyr edition, but back in the day, it was the go-to choice for folks in alpine villages who needed something small but unstoppable. It’s not exactly a car you’d expect to see rolling down the M60, but imagine the looks you’d get if you did! It’s sort of like seeing someone turn up to a Manchester United match on a vintage scooter-it just makes you do a double take. These days, finding a Fiat Panda 4x4 Steyr in good condition is like finding a fiver in your jeans pocket when you didn’t even know it was there. Rare, but oh so satisfying. If you’ve never seen one in person, you’re missing out on one of the coolest little cars to ever climb a snowy hill.

2. BMW M3 GT

Everyone knows the BMW M3 is a legend. But the M3 GT? That’s the unicorn. Built in the mid-90s, this car wasn’t just another sporty BMW. It was lighter, faster, and came with a green paint job that made it stand out like a snooker table in a parking lot full of grey hatchbacks. Only a few hundred were made, which means spotting one in Stockport would be about as rare as bumping into Liam Gallagher doing his weekly shop at Aldi. The M3 GT wasn’t just about looking fancy, though. It had a tuned engine that gave it a real punch on the road. And because it was built in limited numbers, collectors go absolutely mad for it. We’ve had plenty of M cars pass through our doors at Dace Motor Company, but this particular model? It’s one that makes enthusiasts get a bit misty-eyed.  You know how some cars just have that presence, like you hear it before you even see it? The M3 GT is like that. It’s a proper driver’s car-no fluff, no nonsense. Just raw performance with a bit of style thrown in. If you ever get the chance to drive one, do it. You won’t stop talking about it for weeks.

3. Saab 900 Carlsson Edition

Ah, Saab. The brand that felt like it was always doing its own thing. And the Saab 900 Carlsson Edition? That was Saab at its quirkiest. Named after rally legend Erik Carlsson, this car looked like a brick that had gone to the gym. Big body kit, chunky wheels, and that iconic wraparound windscreen that made it look like something out of a sci-fi film. Back in the 90s, this car was basically the cool outsider. While everyone was going for BMWs and Mercs, Saab drivers were like, "Nah, we’ll just make our own rules." The Carlsson Edition had a turbo engine that gave it some real poke, and with only a few ever built, it’s a car you probably won’t even see at classic car meets around Greater Manchester. You’ve got to give Saab credit-they knew how to make cars with personality. The Carlsson is one of those cars that, even if you don’t get what the fuss is about, you can’t help but respect. It’s like that one mate who shows up to the pub in an old leather jacket and somehow makes it look cooler than anything else in the room.

4. Volkswagen Polo Harlequin

Image: Charlie from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You can’t talk about weird special editions without mentioning the Volkswagen Polo Harlequin. Picture this: a car with each panel painted a different colour. Blue door, green bonnet, red boot lid-like someone had a fight with a box of crayons and the car lost. It’s completely bonkers, but that’s what makes it brilliant.  The idea behind the Harlequin was to show off all the colour options Volkswagen offered. Instead of just picking one, they thought, "Why not use them all?" And you know what? It worked. The Harlequin has become one of those cult classics that everyone remembers but hardly anyone has seen in real life. If one rolled into our Stockport showroom, we’d probably have a queue of people just wanting a selfie with it. Sure, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re the type of person who loves standing out, this car does all the talking for you. You’d never lose it in a car park, that’s for sure.

5. Ford Focus RS500

Image: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Ford Focus RS is already a bit of a legend in hot hatch circles. But the RS500? That’s Ford saying, "Let’s just crank this up to eleven." Only 500 of these cars were built, and every single one of them was painted in matte black. Not shiny black, but that stealthy, "don’t mess with me" kind of black. Under the bonnet, it had more power than the regular RS, making it ridiculously fun to drive. It’s the kind of car that makes you feel like you’re on the M6 just toying with everyone else. If you’re lucky enough to see one in Manchester or Stockport, you’ll probably hear it before you spot it-it’s got that kind of growl that wakes the neighbours. We love cars like the RS500 because they remind us that even big manufacturers can go a bit mad sometimes. It’s not just about practicality; it’s about making something that puts a grin on your face every time you drive it.

6. Renault Clio V6

Image: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Renault Clio is usually a sensible, small car for city driving, right? Well, someone at Renault must’ve had a wild weekend because the Clio V6 is anything but sensible. They took out the back seats, shoved a 3.0-litre V6 engine where the boot should be, and turned this little car into a mid-engine monster. It’s basically a tiny supercar pretending to be a hatchback. Driving one of these on the roads around Stockport would be absolutely hilarious. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it has this "what am I even looking at?" vibe that makes car people lose their minds. The Clio V6 isn’t just rare; it’s properly bonkers. You’d never guess by looking at a normal Clio that this kind of madness was even possible. We’ve never had one of these at Dace Motor Company (yet), but if we did, we’d probably have people coming from all over the North West just for a look.

7. Audi A1 Quattro

Image: MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Audi A1 Quattro is one of those cars that makes you wonder, "Why?" Audi basically took their smallest car, gave it four-wheel drive, a massive turbo engine, and a look that says, "I might be small, but I’m faster than you think." Only 333 of these were ever made, so the chances of you seeing one in the UK are slim. What makes the A1 Quattro stand out is how unexpected it is. You look at it and think it’s just a regular city car, but then it takes off like it’s got somewhere to be, and suddenly you’re rethinking everything you know about small cars. It’s the sort of car that would make a trip from Manchester to Stockport way more fun than it has any right to be.

8. Volvo 850 T-5R

Image: nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When you think of Volvo, you probably think of safe, sensible cars. But the 850 T-5R? That was Volvo’s way of saying, "We can be cool too." With its bright yellow paint job and a turbocharged engine, it was anything but boring. It’s the kind of car that surprised people because, let’s face it, nobody expected Volvo to make something that could actually take on a sports saloon. Seeing a T-5R in that classic yellow is like spotting a rare bird in your back garden. You just stop and stare. It’s got this mix of practicality and speed that makes it really interesting. Plus, it’s the sort of car that, if you showed up in one today, car enthusiasts would nod at you with respect.

9. Mazda MX-5 Le Mans Edition

The Mazda MX-5 is already a fun little roadster, but the Le Mans Edition took it to a different level. Inspired by Mazda’s win at the Le Mans race, this edition came with bright orange and green paintwork that made it stand out from absolutely everything else on the road. Only 24 of these were made for the UK, which means you’d have a better chance of spotting a UFO than finding one parked around Manchester. The MX-5 Le Mans is one of those cars that you just can’t forget once you’ve seen it. It’s small, loud, and completely unapologetic in its design. It’s the kind of car that doesn’t care if you think it’s too much-it knows it’s special.

10. Land Rover Defender SVX

Image: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Finally, we have the Land Rover Defender SVX. This was built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Defender, and it’s basically a mix of old-school toughness and modern tweaks. It came with a roll cage, unique paintwork, and just had this "ready for anything" attitude that made it stand out from your usual Defenders. You don’t see many of these around, but if you did, you’d know straight away that it’s not your average Land Rover. It’s like the cool older cousin of the regular Defender-the one who’s always got a crazy story to tell.

So, Which One Would You Pick?

That’s the fun thing about these special editions. They’re not just cars; they’re stories on wheels. Whether it’s the tiny but mighty Fiat Panda 4x4 Steyr or the outrageous Renault Clio V6, each one has something that makes it unforgettable. At Dace Motor Company, we love spotting these rare models because they remind us why cars are so much more than just a way to get from A to B.  And who knows, maybe one day one of these will roll into one of our showrooms in Stockport or Manchester. If it does, you’ll hear about it, because we won’t be able to keep quiet about something this cool.