Would you believe BMW built this......... - United Bimmer Community

**stevo** · 05-05-2007, 06:51 AM

BMW / Isetta.

The Isetta was originally manufactured by a company called ISO in Milan (Italy) 1953.

The Isetta (Little ISO) was at first a 4-wheeler powered by a 236cc 2-cylinder engine. The cars however did not sell well and so ISO sold both the design and manufacturing rights to BMW. The Isetta was then built under licence by BMW in Germany. Power now came from a 250cc four-stoke single cylinder engine and a similar 298cc engine. The instant success of the Isetta possibly stopped BMW from closing down as it kept the company in business at a time when many others were forced to close.

The Isetta.

BMW then sold the manufacturing rights to various companies around the world, and the Isetta was then produced in France (Velam), Brazil. (Romi Isetta) and from 1957 the UK which became "Isetta of Great Britain, Ltd". These Isettas were built at the British Railway works in Brighton. The high cost of the 4-wheeled Isetta in the UK hindered sales until the first 3-wheeled version arrived in 1958. The Isetta was one of the true "bubble cars" having a bubble shaped body that was made from steel and welded to a separate tubular chassis and like its 4-wheeler counterpart it used the BMW 298cc 4-stroke engine. Access to and from the car was via a large door ar the front of the Isetta, this also incorporated a unique feature in that the steering column was attached to the door and by using a universal joint the steering column would swing away with the door allowing easier access to and from the vehicle. The interior of the vehicle featured a single bench type seat that was said to seat up to three adults. The Isetta also featured a canvas sun roof, this was fitted to partially act as a means of escape should the vehicle be involved in a head on colision which obstructed the door and prevented it from opening. In total over 200,000 Isetta's were manufactured world wide until they were discontinued in 1964.

**RSF5** · 05-05-2007, 01:22 PM

Dude. Isettas are awesome. This thread is blasphemy.

**mullethunter3** · 05-05-2007, 01:54 PM

I need sources. I will not believe this blasphemy!

**stevo** · 05-05-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSF5

Dude. Isettas are awesome. This thread is blasphemy.

where are you getting "blasphemy" from dude, i was merely posting a topical subject that perhaps some people didn't know about, its just a bit quirky that the world famous BMW once built the tiny Isetta "bubble car".
The car was unique in its design and spawned many other "bubble" type cars, copied but never bettered.
BMW reigned supreme even then.
comments please.............

witeshark · 05-05-2007, 04:41 PM

The Isetta is sweet.

**theSMELSINATOR** · 05-05-2007, 05:23 PM

drz · 05-05-2007, 07:25 PM

Yeah. I didn't know BMW made red x's.

On a serious note, there are people who didn't know about the BMW Isetta?

**CAPiTUL** · 05-05-2007, 09:00 PM

LoL. BMW made circus cars! Excellennnnnnnnnnt.

**mullethunter3** · 05-05-2007, 09:02 PM

Yeah, I was confused I thought everyone has seen an Isetta...

**RSF5** · 05-05-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mullethunter3

Yeah, I was confused I thought everyone has seen an Isetta...

I thought everyone had to pass a test to drive on American Roads, but lo and behold...

**BMWLotAttendant** · 05-05-2007, 11:55 PM

I knew that. Pshhhh!

nick_318is · 05-06-2007, 03:09 PM

Isetta = awsome.

**RSF5** · 05-06-2007, 05:23 PM

Isetta = Death Trap... hahaha....

I would not take on a hummer in that thing.

**mullethunter3** · 05-06-2007, 08:39 PM

Would you take on a Hummer in many other things???

**theSMELSINATOR** · 05-06-2007, 09:09 PM

^haha! EXACTLY what i was gonna say!