The Matra Rancho is a brilliant example of making something out of nothing. By combining the oily bits and front cab of a Simca van with a custom fiberglass rear end, Matra accidentally created one of the most prophetic vehicles of the 1970s.

It lacked the heavy four-wheel-drive gear of a Range Rover, saving weight and fuel, but kept the rugged aesthetics that buyers craved. The stepped roof wasn't just for show; it provided massive headroom and allowed for huge rear windows. The ride was unapologetically French—soft, floaty, and comfortable enough to forgive the agonizing lack of straight-line speed.

While off-roaders mocked it, buyers loved it enough to require increased factory production. It's the spiritual grandfather of every plastic-clad, front-wheel-drive crossover sitting in supermarket parking lots today.

If you could bring back one dead automotive brand, would it be Matra?