Isetta
The Isetta is a microcar that was initially produced by Iso and later under license by other car manufacturers.
History
The Isetta was one of the most successful microcars produced in the years after World War II, a time when cheap, short-distance transportation was needed. Although the design is Italian, it was built in countries such as Spain, Belgium, France, Brazil, Germany or the United Kingdom. Due to its peculiar egg shape and its bubble windows, it acquired the nickname of the pump-car. In other countries it was “Das rollende Ei” (egg with wheels) or “Sargwagen” (tomb on wheels) in Germany; "pot de yaourt" (yogurt jar) in France; "bola de futebol de fenemê" (truck soccer ball) in Brazil (FNM is the initials of a Brazilian truck brand); and in Chile it is still known as the "huevito". In Argentina it is known as the "German mouse" because of its size.
Iso Isetta
Side view
BMW 600
The BMW 600 was the largest of BMW's microcars. The BMW 600 was made to be a stretched, more powerful version with four wheels.
The front was almost exactly the same as the original Isetta, but the wheelbase was lengthened to accommodate up to four seats. A conventional rear axle was also added. BMW introduced the independent suspension in the new model, which would later be used in almost all new models in the next four decades. Due to its added size and weight, the 600 was equipped with a more powerful engine than the common Isetta. A 582cc inline two-cylinder engine, derived from the BMW R67 motorcycle. Its top speed rose to 103 km/h.
In two years, only 34,000 units were produced, partially due to price competition with the base version of the Volkswagen Beetle. In the late 1950s, consumers wanted cars that looked like cars, and they lost interest in economy models. Even so, sales held up through 1957 due to the energy crisis.
In May 1962, BMW ceased production of the Isetta. 161,728 units were built. Outside of Germany, in Argentina the SAIC Metalworking firm under the Carlo brand manufactured 1413 Isettas 600.
Statistics
Iso only made 1000 Isettas. Romi-Isetta (Brazil) manufactured 3000, Velam-Véhicule Léger à Moteur (France) produced about 5000 cars, the British company Isetta of Great Britain produced up to 30,000 units, but only 1,750 three-wheelers were built.
BMW built 136,367 Isettas. Of all those manufactured by BMW, 8,500 were exported to the United States, of which an estimated 1,000 are still in running order. A very well-preserved example can be seen at the entrance to the Malta Classic Car Museum, in Qawra.
Images of the BMW Isetta
Automobile exhibition in La Plata, Argentina
BMW Isetta, exterior view.
BMW Isetta, exterior view.
BMW Isetta, exterior view.
BMW Isetta, interior view board.
BMW Isetta in the IAA 2009.
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