BMW Isetta
The idea of the Isetta came about in post-WWII Europe. After the war,people that couldn't afford large automobiles moved about on scooters and motorcycles. About this time, Renzo Rivolta, decided to move into the automobile business.
Designed and developed during 1952-1953, Iso presented the first Isetta (literally, little Iso) at the 1953 Turin Motor Show. The Iso Isetta was only 4.5 ft wide and 7.5 ft long. The car had a single door at the front, rear wheels that were only 19 in. apart, and gas mileage of over 50 miles per gallon. The two-cylinder, two-stroke engine allowed a top speed of 45 mph and could propell the Isetta to 30 mph in 36 seconds.
Iso entered four or five Isettas into the Mille Miglia (1,000 mile) race of 1954. The Isetta finished 1, 2 and 3 on the index of performance. BMW scouts witnessed the impressive showing of the little car. Iso licensed the car to BMW in 1955. The design was also licensed to companies in Brazil, France, Spain and Begium.
BMW made the Isetta its own by making major changes, giving it a BMW one-cylinder, four-stroke, 247 cc motorcycle engine with 13 hp. The first BMW Isetta appeared in April, 1955. BMW introduced the restyled Isetta Moto Coupe DeLuxe (sliding-window Isetta) in October 1956 with the larger 298 cc motor for export. Legend has it that the Isetta saved BMW from going under.
BMW began exporting Isettas to the U.S. in 1957. The Isetta was successful enough to encourage BMW to produce the 600 and 700.
BMW stopped production of the Isetta in 1962. Other Isetta's were produced around the world til 1964.
BMW built 136,367 Isettas. Isetta of Britain produced about 30,000 cars. Romi-Isetta manufactured about 3,000 of which an estimated 200 remain. Velam produced about 5,000 cars. Iso itself only made about 1,000 Isettas. Of the cars made by BMW, about 8,500 were exported to the U.S. of which it is estimated 1,000 still survive.
The below pictures were collected around the internet in various newsgroups, etc, and are assumed to be in the public domain. If you have a problem with this, contact me.
Copyright © 2001 - 2005 Great Uncle Bill
