It's hard to imagine that back in 1958, a tiny BMW Isetta known as "the bubble car" saved what would become a powerhouse car company by the year 2000. Back then, Mercedes-Benz was ready gobble up BMW, which had done well with its motorcycles but was struggling with car sales.
The Isetta was a "micro car" and weighed just 750 pounds. Power came from a 1-cylinder, 13-horsepower BMW style motorcycle engine that produced 13 horsepower. It delivered 45 mpg, went 53 mph and cost just $1,048 when introduced in the U.S. market. Unique was the front of the car was actually its door, too, opening forward to allow 2-passenger access.
The first ever Isetta was designed by the Italian company Iso Spa, which then licensed production to BMW of Germany and Velam in France. Later, the Isetta would also be built in United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain and Brazil.
BMW engineers tailored their version different from the others, installing the aforementioned 1-cylinder, 247 cc motorcycle style motor. Beginning in 1955, BMW was officially in the "micro car" business in hopes of building consumer goodwill.
BMW the next year upgraded to an Isetta 250 in Germany that still ran just 53-mph. Owners only needed a motorcycle license to drive an Isetta in Germany, and soon after in October of 1956, the Isetta 300 was born on a longer wheelbase. Instead of permanent bubble windows, the 300 featured sliding side windows, larger 298 cc engine and room for 4-passengers. The Isetta 300 is the model that impacted America and is most recognizable to baby boomer car enthusiasts. Later, an Isetta 600 was built, featuring a more powerful 582cc engine and could achieve a top speed of 64 mph.
In May 1962, three years after launching the modern BMW 700, the end of Isetta production was at hand. Overall, a total of 161,728 BMW Isetta's were built, and there is now talk of BMW reviving the Isetta name and branding its' new Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) an Isetta. The rear-engined new Isetta mimics the older model (see photos) and should arrive in American showrooms in 2014 or 2015.
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(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist who welcomes reader questions at 116 Main St., Towanda, Pa. 18848 or email at extramile_2000@yahoo.com)
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