Video: Take a Closer Look at the BMW Isetta
Now that we know BMW is mulling over a new Isetta microcar, we thought it would be fun to take a more in-depth look at the original bubble car. Join Keith Martin as he takes us on a walk through of a nice 1958 example for Sports Car Market.
+ Google Video: 1958 BMW Isetta Profile by Keith Martin, Sports Car Market
Comments
fantasyfreddy
looks awesome, but incredibly dangerous in an accident! looks a tiny bit safer than a motorcycle..
Ducati Minor
Ah, Seyth, why did you have to bring Keith Martin, I man I loathe as much as the present cast of Saturday Night Live, into this? Martin ruins everything he touches--a cancer in collecting.
Ben
I've gotten a ride in one of these a couple of years ago at the Micro Car Day event at the Larz Anderson Automobile Museum. It was a pretty interesting car and I couldn't believe that it was sold in the U.S. at one point.
Aaron
Yeah, yeah, we've all seen _Family Matters_ so we know what the Isetta is and the kind of people who drive them. ;-)
Alexander López
For me, a modern Isetta is already at the works within BMW's doors. It's the CLEVER, and it does it better than the Isetta while retaining its fundamental concept: it's got a small bike's engine, seats up to two people, it's very simple and small.
Why is better? Because the passenger seats BEHIND the driver, making it just 1 meter (about 1 yard) wide, so it can filter between cars just like a big motorcycle. I understand lane-sharing is not allowed in the USA, but it is everywhere else. I would certainly pay more for being able to not get stuck in traffic while getting good rain/crash protection.
If you want to see it in action, get to this German test of the CKEVER and the Carver One, and get amazed:
Alexander López
wow, I missed the hyperlink:
http://www.kabeleins.de/auto/videos/einzeltest/artikel/10061/
Winding Road » Archive » eBay Auction of the Day: 1957 BMW I
[...] Lots of WINDING ROAD readers were excited to hear the news that BMW is looking at recreating the utterly unique Isetta. Though a modern take on the classic bubble car is fascinating, some of us are still interested in the original thing. [...]
Post new comment