Three-quarters front view of a Blue, 1962, BMW Isetta 300, Bubble car, on display at the Wickhambreaux Classic Car Show, 2022
The Isetta is an Italian-designed microcar built under license in a number of different countries, including Argentina, Spain, Belgium, France, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Because of its egg shape and bubble-like windows, it became known as a bubble car, a name also given to other similar 1955, the BMW Isetta became the world's first mass-production car to achieve a fuel consumption of 3 L/100 km (94 mpg‑imp; 78 mpg‑US). It was the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world, with 161,728 units sold. Initially manufactured by the Italian firm Iso SpA, the name Isetta is the Italian diminutive form of Iso, meaning "little Iso" The car originated with the Italian firm of Iso SpA. In the early 1950s the company was building refrigerators, motor scooters and small three-wheeled trucks. Iso's owner, Renzo Rivolta, decided to build a small car for mass distribution.[10] By 1952 the engineers Ermenegildo Preti[11] and Pierluigi Raggi had designed a small car that used the motorcycle engine of the Iso Moto 200 and named it Isetta. The Isetta caused a sensation when it was introduced to the motoring press in Turin in November 1953.[10] It was unlike anything seen before. Small (only m ( ft) long by m ( ft) wide) and egg-shaped, with bubble-type windows, the entire front end of the car hinged outwards to allow entry. In the event of an accident, the driver and passenger were to exit through the canvas sunroof. The steering wheel and instrument panel swung out with the single door, simplifying access to the single bench seat. The seat provided reasonable comfort for two occupants, and perhaps a small child. Behind the seat was a large parcel shelf with a spare wheel located below. A heater was optional. Ventilation was provided by turning out the front triangle windows and or opening the fabric sunroof. Power came from a 236 cc ( cu in), kW ( hp) split-single two-stroke motorcycle engine.
Size: 4984px × 3738px
Location: Wickhambreaux, Kent
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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