BMW

In celebration of a newly acquired 1992 BMW R1000R, an old and unfortunately musty-smelling BMW Motorcycles 1993 booklet was purchased, filled with poster treats. One of the stories tucked within its pages takes owners into the future, one plagued with a lack of resources and unbearable pollution, a bit on the nose 30 years later, offering a concept electric vehicle, the BMW C-1. Supposedly this intelligent synthesis of automobile and motorcycle could help reduce some of those plaguing issues for commuters in future surroundings.

Lalita Chemello / BMW

The original concept consists of an enclosed bubbly cabin set between two wide-set wheels. And just from initial looks, the possibility of keeping it upright is questionable. Sure, the concept gracing most of the two-page spread, the original bubble's predecessor, could likely stay upright, but it does not hold up to the original's hype.

This new concept looks more like a scooter with a Recaro-like seat. Two curved metal rails come up over the seat to make a top frame that connects to the front windscreen. Its curves are relayed to most of the frame, rather than the enclosed capsule of its original drawing. Thanks to this week's question asking which concept cars do you think spawned the most disappointing production vehicles, you can guess where this is headed.

From enclosed bubbly futuristic EV to a covered gas-powered scooter

BMW introduced the resulting C1 125, the C-1 in its final form, in 1999. The odd canopy-like ceiling remained, as did the actual seat. BMW even introduced a 200 cc executive version in 2000. Neither really encapsulated what the initial concept was aiming to do. They were not electric. And the scooters were not fully enclosed, which one would assume was to protect a rider from the future's unbearable pollution like current failed air quality in the northern states of the US this week.

It did have an interesting enough safety system. An actual chair allowed for a seat belt, so some countries allowed riders to scoot about without the requirement of a helmet. Just prepare yourself to be stuck on or partially under the scooter if it were tipped over or sent on its side in an accident. And from the looks of it, the seat also made for an awkward reach to the handlebars.

Rather than being electrically powered, the C-1 models ran on good old fossil fuel. They were also heavier than many of BMW's actual motorcycles, which sort of defeats the purpose for the scooter-buying type. It lasted two years on the market before BMW put it out of its misery. Although that has not stopped it from trying out newer versions of it over the years, including its most recent Vision CE Concept, which is actually electric. Look familiar?

So the question remains: which concept cars, vehicles, or trucks spawned the most disappointing production vehicles. You have been to enough auto shows or dug into the depths of concept vehicles online to know what was promised, and what was the ever-so-disappointing result. Tell why you were so disappointed, and the worst of them shall be put together for your enjoyment later in the week.