Anyone know what this is?
Anyone know what this is?
Whilst in Germany last week, I saw this strange looking thing. I have to admit, I think it's pretty cool
Seduced by the zed side
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isetta#BMW_Isetta_300
Not sure I'd fancy my chances being crashed into driving that!Wikipedia wrote:It was the top-selling single cylinder car in the world, with 161,728 units sold.
1997 2.8 Z3 | Gallery Thread
They did a caravan for it too. I have a model of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKTS4rj6jfk
Cheers R.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKTS4rj6jfk
Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
Those of a certain age will remember that these pinged out of the woodwork one sunny morning im the late 50's. It was not widely reported however that sales of the BMW Isetta saved BMW from financial disaster. Their range at the time consisted only of prestige cars, 501, 502, 503, (506) and the 507 sports car and sales were not happening in the depressed market of the day. In a rare flash of corporate genius they produced the Isetta range and saved the day! They became a fad and a fashion icon and appeared everywhere. Every company wanted to make them, some under licence, and some copies (a number of which were appalling). Contrary to what many may think they didn't have a bad track record regarding accidents. Their main selling points were their relative cost and, of course, a smile switch...
Regards.
Regards.
There is also the Messerschmitt bubble car which I think looks even cooler
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Messe ... roller.jpg
Tim.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Messe ... roller.jpg
Tim.
Isetta
An uncle of mine had one of the first; two rear wheels very close together and left hand drive (later ones were three wheelers and right hand drive). 500cc single cylinder engine - a bit of a thumper! It got damaged one frosty morning when it simply let go of any contact with grip and bounced off a kerb bending the rear axle.
A chum of mine bought one later but he hadn't passed his test so asked me to drive it home for him. If I recall rightly the gearchange was still on the left although it was LHD; it sort of stuck out of the panel liner!
The Heinkel version was slightly smaller and the steering wheel stayed put when you opened the door whereas on the Isetta it was linked to the door via a universal joint and swung out when the door was opened. Some Heinkel/Trojan (UK built under licence) had no reverse gear and a chap who worked with me had one and he parked it near the cycle sheds. Some wags lifted the rear end up while he was still in it and pushed front first into the bike shed so he could neither open the door nor back it out!
Then there was the Messerschmitt; a line astern two seater bubble car with three wheels: two front and one rear. A very rare four wheel version was also made.
Four wheels
A chum of mine bought one later but he hadn't passed his test so asked me to drive it home for him. If I recall rightly the gearchange was still on the left although it was LHD; it sort of stuck out of the panel liner!
The Heinkel version was slightly smaller and the steering wheel stayed put when you opened the door whereas on the Isetta it was linked to the door via a universal joint and swung out when the door was opened. Some Heinkel/Trojan (UK built under licence) had no reverse gear and a chap who worked with me had one and he parked it near the cycle sheds. Some wags lifted the rear end up while he was still in it and pushed front first into the bike shed so he could neither open the door nor back it out!
Then there was the Messerschmitt; a line astern two seater bubble car with three wheels: two front and one rear. A very rare four wheel version was also made.
Four wheels
I like the Messerschmitt, especially with four wheels, looks a bit like Robert T's Frog.
HT
Titan's apprentice.
Titan's apprentice.
http://www.lde.nu/index.htmTitan wrote:Occupations ?
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I've taken pics of a few bubblecars at shows over the years.
BMW Isetta:
Heinkel Trojan:
Messerschmitt:
HT, I guess that anything with big googly eyes looks like a frog, but you will be surprised just how much smaller than the frog these things are. I could probably get one in the boot!
Cheers R.
BMW Isetta:
Heinkel Trojan:
Messerschmitt:
HT, I guess that anything with big googly eyes looks like a frog, but you will be surprised just how much smaller than the frog these things are. I could probably get one in the boot!
Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
We have 3 real ones in the familyTitanTim wrote:There is also the Messerschmitt bubble car which I think looks even cooler
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Messe ... roller.jpg
Tim.
Gill