1950 Reyonnah

I would be terrified driving this car. This ultra-narrow 2 passenger sedan was built for urban areas as a solution for parking. Passengers sit in tandem, like a bicycle built for two.

It looks even more frightening to drive in these pictures, but when in motion the car isn't in this "pointing skyward" position - the front wheels are hinged so that front end can be pushed up high, reducing the legth of the car. It's powered by a 8.5hp single cylinder engine that somehow pushes it to a top speed of 70kph.

1964 Peel Trident

No, this is not a gumball machine.

The Peel Trident's successor, the P-50, was introduced in 1962 as the world’s smallest passenger car. The car was only 4 feet long and powered by a 49 cc moped motor. At an advertised 100 miles per gallon, it was "almost cheaper than walking". Personally, I think I would rather walk, and I'd probably get there faster. In 1964 the Peel Trident was introduced, based on the P-50 chassis but with a slightly larger 2-seater body. Entry was gained by lifting the plastic dome roof.

Bond Minicar

Misc

Bond cars began production in 1950, intended as being a car that bridged the gap between motorcycle and car, keeping the advantages of both. It was cheap to run and cheap to make, yet had more room and was "safer" than a motorcycle. Early Bond cars were very primitive three-wheelers, with the motor actually mounted on the single front wheel. The first car - the Mark A - didn't even have rear suspension.

Pictured here is the Mark C - when Bond started trying to pretend these were actual cars. However, I don't think the "real car" front is fooling anyone. Especially if you popped the hood to see the powertain. An interesting feature - the front wheel could be turned and locked to 90 degrees, so that that car could turn 180 degrees with almost no turning radius.

BMW 600 - Super Isetta

Reaction to the original Isetta was relatively good, but the general response was that the car was too small. In 1959, BMW decided to go "up a class" and produce a larger car with room for four by using existing Isetta production equipment on a stretched chassis.

The outcome - the 600 - retained the stock front opening door, but with a wheelbase 165cm longer, a larger boxer motor driving full-width rear axles (the small Isetta's rear wheels were placed close together), and conventional rear doors for the rear passengers. Revised bumpers looked a bit better, but this car is still far too odd to compete with other small cars at the time - especially considering it cost more that the ever popular VW Beetle.

Only 35,000 were produced in one year (1959), after which it was replaced by the normal looking BMW 700.

BMW Isetta

Due to popular demand, I present to you the BMW Isetta - which will become the first of a series of posts of microcars. Why? Because most of them are fugly.

The BMW Isetta - commonly known to some as Erkel's car on "Family Matters" - was born out of the bubble car phase of the 50's. The car is actually based off the Iso Isetta - in 1954 BMW development engineer Eberhard Wolff was given the task of improving the car. As part of the licensing agreement, the exterior was not to be radically altered. The most important change was the engine, as even then BMW did not want to be associated with the smokey 2 stroke engines that powered the Iso. BMW swapped in it's own 4 stroke engine, and the BMW Isetta was born.

Not you typical BMW, this mini-car looked like a bubble on wheels. Entrance was throw the front of the car which hinged open. The steering column was attached to this door and swivelled out of the way with it for entry.

1991 Isuzu Nagisa

Basically, a concept of a car that looks like a boat but can't go in the water (well, it can - it just won't float). Enough said.

Proton Arena Fastback

In continents other than truck happy North America, heavy hauling duties are usually carried by car-based vans and trucks - usually in commercial applications. They're basically cars with either a bed or a cargo van type extension, and all usually seem to be based on the companies cheapest offerings. Australia has taken this idea to a whole other extreme, with a fullsize car range of "utes" that can even be had in performance versions.

Malaysian Proton (for those not in the know, they are only now branching off from Mitsubishi based offerings) is now marketing this previously commercial only vehicles for the public. Behold - the Proton Arena, whose models include the Freestyle, the Sportdeck and the Fastback.

http://www.proton2020.com/arena.asp#

However, the Proton Arena Fastback gets a mention on the site because it's such a bizarre piece of machinery. Basically, it's a car that looks like a truck, that looks like a car. It's basically a car based truck with a tonneau cover that contains a glassed-in compartment to give it a fast-back look - and basically giving the impression of a car with a huuuuge trunk. Why someone who buy this instead of an actual car, I don't know. It severely limits the useablity of a bed, and if you want it to look like a car, buy the car version on which it is based.

Right from the site:
"A 2-in-1 vehicle for individualistic style in both business and leisure, the Proton Arena can be defined as a truck with a car-like driveability or a car with truck-like versatility! A multi-purpose passenger car which facilitates the transportation of goods summarises its unique character."