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.