What is the lowest car ever made?

The lowest car ever made and driven legally on public roads is “Mirai,” an ultra-flat one-off built by students and staff at Okayama Sanyo High School in Asakuchi, Japan, which stands just 45.2 cm (17.79 in) tall, according to Guinness World Records. If the question refers to a series-produced, road‑legal model, the Ford GT40’s 40-inch (1,016 mm) roofline is widely regarded as the benchmark among production cars.

Contents

The record-holder: “Mirai,” verified by Guinness World Records
The previous benchmark: Perry Watkins’ “Flatmobile”
How “lowest” is defined—and why it matters
Production cars: the Ford GT40’s enduring benchmark—and notable rivals
Why make a car so low?
Bottom line

The record-holder: “Mirai,” verified by Guinness World Records

Built as a fully functional, roadworthy vehicle, “Mirai” took the official Guinness World Records title for the lowest roadworthy car with a measured height of 45.2 cm (17.79 in). The project, completed by a Japanese high school team, was designed to meet road-legal requirements—lights, mirrors, wipers, steering, and braking—while keeping the silhouette as close to the ground as possible. The driver lies nearly supine to fit underneath the minimal roofline, a layout that maximizes aerodynamic efficiency and minimizes overall height. The record has stood since its verification in 2010 and remains the reference point for “lowest car” when roadworthiness is part of the claim.

The previous benchmark: Perry Watkins’ “Flatmobile”

Before “Mirai,” British builder Perry Watkins held the same Guinness title with the “Flatmobile,” measured at roughly 48 cm (about 19 in) tall. Inspired by comic-book proportions, the Flatmobile paired eye-catching show-car theatrics with genuine road legality. Its record underscored just how extreme a car’s overall height can be pushed while still remaining driveable on public roads.

How “lowest” is defined—and why it matters

Guinness World Records defines “lowest roadworthy car” by overall vehicle height, not ground clearance, and requires that the vehicle be able to start, steer, stop, and drive under its own power on public roads with all legally required equipment installed. This is distinct from track-only builds, static art cars, or cars that “air out” to an ultra-low stance when parked via adjustable suspension but cannot drive at that height.

Below are the core factors used in practice to determine a credible claim to “lowest roadworthy car.”

Measured overall height from the ground to the highest fixed point of the bodywork.

Full roadworthiness: lights, mirrors, horn, wipers (where required), number plates, and safe operation.

Demonstrated drivability at the measured height—no “show-only” or parked stance.

Independent verification and documentation (e.g., Guinness World Records adjudication).

Taken together, these criteria separate record-grade builds from static displays or vehicles that require raised ride height to be operable.

Production cars: the Ford GT40’s enduring benchmark—and notable rivals

Among road-legal production models, the Ford GT40 remains the touchstone: its 40-inch height (the source of its name) is one of the lowest ever achieved for a series-built, road-registerable car. While a handful of exotic sports cars approach similar dimensions, few match the GT40’s combination of competition pedigree, road legality, and exceptionally low roofline.

Here are representative examples often cited among the lowest production road cars, with approximate manufacturer-quoted heights:

Ford GT40 (Mk I road cars): 40.0 in (1,016 mm)

Lamborghini Miura (P400 series): about 41.3 in (≈1,050 mm)

Lotus Europa (S1/S2): about 42.5 in (≈1,080 mm)

Exact figures can vary by model year, trim, tires, and regional equipment, but these examples illustrate how rare it is for production cars to dip much below the low-40-inch range.

Why make a car so low?

Lowering a car’s overall height reduces frontal area and helps minimize aerodynamic drag, while also dropping the center of gravity for better handling. In record attempts, extreme packaging—reclined seating, ultra-compact drivetrains, and simplified structures—pushes these benefits to the limit. The trade-offs include reduced visibility, tougher ingress/egress, and tighter compliance with safety and lighting regulations.

Here are the main advantages and compromises engineers balance when pursuing minimal height:

Pros: reduced drag and frontal area; lower center of gravity; dramatic styling and brand distinction.

Cons: ergonomic challenges; stricter packaging constraints; regulatory hurdles for lighting, mirrors, and crash performance.

These competing priorities explain why ultra-low cars are typically one-off projects or limited-production exotics rather than mainstream models.

Bottom line

“Mirai” remains the lowest verified roadworthy car at 45.2 cm (17.79 in), per Guinness World Records. In the realm of production vehicles, the Ford GT40’s 40-inch roofline stands as the long-running benchmark, with only a handful of iconic sports cars coming close.

Which car is the lowest car?

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Is there a 1 of 1 car?

Yes, a 1 of 1 car is a real concept, referring to a vehicle produced by a manufacturer with a unique trim and specifications, made only once, often for a specific customer or purpose. Many such one-off cars exist, from custom-ordered vehicles to special concepts built by manufacturers like Ferrari, Aston Martin, and others, as seen with examples like the Ferrari Pinin or the Aston Martin Victor.

What is a 1 of 1 Car?

Unique Specifications: A 1 of 1 car is distinguished by its unique features, which can include technical, functional, or aesthetic variations not found on any other production model.
Custom Orders: These cars are often created as a result of specific instructions from a customer.
Manufacturer Concepts: Sometimes, manufacturers produce a 1 of 1 vehicle as a concept or a special project, showcasing unique design or engineering.

Examples of One-Off Cars

Ferrari Pinin: An example of a one-off car, it is a unique concept from Ferrari.
Aston Martin Victor: Another example of a manufacturer-created one-off, highlighting design and performance.
Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato: A custom-built one-off that was created for a specific customer.