BMW Isetta - the 50s micro car that saved BMW!

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BMW Isetta
Whilst today we consider BMW a strong automotive brand with a keen following, the situation was very different in the mid 50s whereby the company was facing bankruptcy.
The company had created beautiful vehicles like the 503 and 507 which were luxurious, head turning motors; but here’s the thing, they were making losses on every sale.
So to survive, BMW had to change their tactics entirely. They needed to come up with a cheap car which would be an instant success, make the company money without years of investment into design and needed little in the way of development.
I bet nobody in those initial meetings thought a fridge maker would save the day, but that’s exactly what happened at the 54 Turin Car Show where Iso Rivolta were debuting a three wheeled car with a giant door on the front which they’d named the Iso Isetta.
BMW immediately realised it was the exact car they were looking for, despite being a world away from the luxe cars loved by customers and from 1955, the Isetta was produced under license.
In the early days, the slightly refined design was fitted with a modified version of the 250 four-stroke engine which had been used in the R25 motorcycle, giving 12 horsepower. However, by the point this particular example was sold, BMW had introduced a 300cc engine - which still retained a top speed of 53mph.
It’s also worth noting that the gearbox on this is a four speed manual with reverse - the onus was on the owner of the vehicle to blank off reverse if they were only driving on a bike license! No automatic transmission units were ever fitted to these as standard.
Whilst they were cheap as chips at launch, roughly 1500 dollars, 1300 euros or 1250 great british pounds today - in today’s modern world with them being a cult collector vehicle, prices are easily 10 times that in the UK alone.
Like many mid century classics, the Isetta has a lively club and social scene through the collective microcars groups and parts are still obtainable to some degree, making them despite their small stature, a very usable classic and one which can be maintained and enjoyed. Nigel the owner of this has even been to Europe in it!
The Isetta was in production for eight years and over 160,000 of them were sold worldwide making it the most popular one cylinder car in the world.
It might seem a gimmick today to some onlookers - but in a world where there was a need for cars but not much cash to spend on them, bubble cars served a valid and worthy market position. Plus, the bubble car market was open to everyone - not just those with a car license!

[@samuelesocchi5060]

The dog peeing in the back killed me ☠ Love your videos sooo much

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahahah I laughed when I edited it and clocked it. FML 😂😂😂😂😂

[@mickyg1953]

I was born in '53, was used to seeing these in the late '50s as well as Meschersmitt tandem seat 'bubble" cars. Ideal step-up from motorbikes.

[@aguyfromthe60s7]

The St Bernard and bubble car in the same video absolutely made my day, thank you Steph you’re looking amazing x

[@asa1973100]

Stephanie darling looking absolutely fabulous as always and love the rod

[@nigelh4617]

I love that radio, especially in its door mounted console.

[@Saskue78]

Well pleased it was ok to drive in the rain. Those were some tight roads you were driving on to. An stunning in your period outfit awesome. 🙂🙂

[@philw4625]

My dad bought my mum one of these in the late 60's as her first car. He spent several weeks driving it around the estate trying to make it feel right/safe, tinkering with various bits. Mum refused to drive it, so it was sold. It then passed them on the local dual carriageway going flat out with the new owner seemingly feeling quite safe! We often wonder how long he lived, driving an ISetta in that manner! Often wish they'd kept it, just for fun.

[@idriveaclassic]

That’s brilliant 😂

[@toolmaker9411]

Traded in my LI 125 for one of these, YXA636, colour blue. No Heater, no radio, however, courting was a lot more comfortable. Poor old girls length was reduced by 30% after being "rear ended" and shunted into a 100E Anglia in Heathrow Tunnel. The only exit for my future wife and myself was through the roof and with a bit of on the spot sheet metal work and wire to hold the door closed, we managed to get home safely. Happy days.

[@D...M...A...]

Yet another , goodnight and good morning to you Steph ... Absolutely smashing boots... Nicely done , you slay us ...

[@Topshaman-pk2rx]

My father had one of those. I always thought it was cool getting in through the front past the steering wheel. I love how you've dressed for the part with the 1960s white boots; my mother had a pair of those. I did have a smile at the antics of the dog in the background.

[@idriveaclassic]

I love my white boots. Heel fell off this week so I’ve had to jab it back on

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

You really look the part Steph , fond memories of a friend in the 1970s buying a BMW Isetta on an ' economy ' mission with escalating fuel costs and being asked to drive it home 60 miles , an experience I shall never forget .I see the lovely St Bernard had to have a wee right on cue !!.

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahaha the cheeky puppy.

[@chaddamp2894]

Back in th1960's a lady had one,we called it a bubble car !!

[@antonymorris7044]

Not many left them.u see loads reliant Robins.u was lucky in that car steph narrow roads .Nice dress u wore.great video x

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you it’s probably same age as the car

[@stephenwarhurst6615]

I heard stories Isettas are renown for struggling up hills. The side siding windows would help a lot with asking from a passer-by to push me or pull me

[@idriveaclassic]

I’m quite a large lady weight wise I’d say and I bombed up them no sweat x

[@a11csc]

remember them from my childhood ,very cool steph

[@TheDarkPhoenix23]

Here in the states, the Isetta gained notoriety with a television show called "Family Matters" where one of the main characters, Steve Urkel, drove one. Also, heaven forbid you'd be in a front end collision in one, I should think they'd simply pop open the window and remove you with a wet vac because there'd be nothing left of you! Still, they sure do bring smiles to a lot of people.

[@idriveaclassic]

Ahh that’s cool!

[@RVPartsGerald]

Great video Steph as always. Thank you for keeping the dog off the cutting room floor.

[@idriveaclassic]

Haha I love including silly stuff

[@gjclark2478]

Just come back from a car show in Devizes, had a lot of Marcos's to Rolls Royce and the humble metro. Thi video is the icing on the cake !👍

[@KenanTurkiye]

Not the first time I see it. But everytime I see that thing, I think it has a heartbeat! 💗 :)

[@ry491]

My first car was one of these . I drive it 27k miles all over the uk with no problems . I used go cruise flat out at 50 most of the time . Gear chsnge was the wirst part . I always had to double declutch on the downshift . I fitted carpets and lined the inner panels with felt . Made the car much quieter to ride in . Handling was surprisingly good once you got used to it . Mine was bright yellow ! All in all , a great little car that served me well . Even did my courting in it !!?

[@chrisagnew2923]

Great episode. The big dog was the chef's kiss.

[@idriveaclassic]

It made me CACKLE so I left it in

[@TheVAMPIREMARIUS69]

Love your well informed reviews, never boring! Thank You!

[@LadyAnuB]

I don't know if it's still there but by a tourist shop on Kaua'i there was an Isetta parked out back. I was the only family member on this stop to recognize it. (This was around Christmas 2011.)

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh that’s cool!

[@allanmollison6971]

Much appreciated, thanks for posting Steph 😊👍

[@timelwell7002]

Great review - thanks Steph. My mum had one of these - this brings back a lot of memories.

[@danieljames2015]

If it weren't for the safety, that would be the ideal car to travel around Cities ( with a smoother engine). Would scramble out onto the pavement with a silly grin every time. I know there is an electric modern ' tribute ' possibly coming, but that doesn't have the original charm. Your Channel is really hitting the quirky Car spot most times. 👍

[@idriveaclassic]

If we didn’t have SUVs Rocking round with bad drivers we’d all be safer x

[@philippevoordecker6956]

I never have one but I did like it from verry long time ! Let I say more than 50 years.

[@iansutherlandcraig]

You do a great job of these videos.

[@GF-ep1pf]

Love the detailed knowledge & enthusiasm you share. I enjoyed following this up with a rewatch of the Full Charged episode on the Microlino.

[@Phiyedough]

The Isetta was probably the best of the bubble cars but I also like the Messerschmitt KR200.

[@nigelowen4675]

Issy loved her day out with Steph!

[@rosewood1]

Go Gina you certainly have captured that fab era of 60's wow! Always impressed by your very impressive mechanical knowledge. Never realised the left hand drive issue or that there were UK cars with Girling brakes! Great review

[@Vince_uk]

Another good video Steph.

[@stevenward6453]

What a great car and a good video as always steph 😊

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you!

[@sonofatwitch82]

The car looked small next to a st Bernard

[@stevenlawrie7819]

Nice one Steph , the gear layout isn't necessarily due to LHD as i had a mark 1 Twingo and the gear pattern was the same as a RHD drive. I love the design of the Isetta and have a deposit down on a new Microlino if it arrives :-)

[@idriveaclassic]

I’d love a Microlino x

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

1 cyl, 1 door, 1 bench, 3 wheels.. so bonkers it's great!

[@idriveaclassic]

Haha right?! I loved it

[@michaelstaunton1632]

A great episode on the channel well done now 👍👍

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you!

[@Jaxs2]

It was only the UK and UK build cars with 3 wheels... most had four ...maybe for tax reasons or as you say motor bike licence in UK 🫣

[@idriveaclassic]

Indeed!

[@martinclapton2724]

When I was living in Stroud as an infant , these were quite common place , used to see several examples around town , always known as a bubble car. Brought in as economy motoring , post war and after the Suez crisis , they were perfect for the times. They were also the reason Sir Alec Issigonis brought out the Mini !

[@forestdad]

I’m not sure you’d need to worry about another way out if you had a head on crash.

[@idriveaclassic]

Let me go in peace doing something I love x

[@davidcooks5265]

This is you🎉🤩👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@dieselfan7406]

These cars were useful in the UK during and after the Suez crisis in 1956, when we had ration books again!

[@charlieoscar09]

You picked a terrible road to take that car out on .... Test of your confidence i suppose and the concentration on your face 😆

[@peterriggall8409]

Lovely review Steph. Love these but shattered to know Gina wasn’t driving that one. I reckon hers had a radio as there was always 60s music playing when she was driving, 😆

[@idriveaclassic]

😂😂😂😂

[@jrgboy]

I remember a lot of these on the roads in the 60's, I had a Triumph Vitesse at the time so they were mostly in my real view mirror, but they were popular & an interesting drive..

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Great video Steph of like the mini, an iconic little car! I’d take one of these over any BMW though having said that I do miss my E30 320i Touring estate that I owned 30 years ago!

[@Scrubworks]

Exiting this car after a head-on collision would be very easy. Your ghost can simply float from the wreckage.

[@philtaylor9038]

Hi Steph. Brilliant video of course never seen one with the radio fitted before. I would like to put that steering wheel cover with the spare so I could feel what the car is like on the road surface. Always remember the one that broke down on the W D programme. Thank god for Mr China.

[@martininnes4716]

Have you seen the new Microlino production car from Switzerland? Like a modern electric Isetta. Good video thank you.

[@idriveaclassic]

I so want one

[@daviemaclean61]

I know they were made to be practical, but they're also such fun. Not sure if this applies, but the original Fiat 500 had a similar cloth sunroof purely to save on metal post war. I'm glad that dog only stopped for a pee and didn't squat behind you! 🤣

[@chriswebb4162]

I had one of these. It was my first 'passion wagon'.

[@mattbedford875]

Such a great video, I love you and the isetta ❤ it's the only bmw I'd have 😊

[@idriveaclassic]

Same

[@michaelkeen5010]

My primary school teacher had a pale blue 4 wheeled Isetta, think you paid more tax on those.

[@replevideo6096]

My first car was an Isetta as I only had a motorcycle licence. I had so much fun in that car. One time 4 of us went to Gt. Yarmouth in it, about 25 miles each way. Another time I and 2 mates went camping in Kent in it, with 2 tents, sleeping bags and a twin burner camping stove all crammed in somehow. One lovely summer day, I and my girlfriend went through a ford at about 30 mph. Water shot up the front and in through the open sunroof , soaking both of us. As I wanted something faster, I changed it eventually for a 250cc twin Bond Minicar estate version which had a top speed of 70 mph, amazing acceleration, and seats for 4. It was still fun because you could corner it on 2 wheels once you mastered the art.

[@michaeltutty1540]

Fantastic, Steph. Lovely wee car. I dont think the early examples had a revrse gear. Back when i was a kid in the 60s, one of the school friends who was also a neighbour. His grandfather cane home a bit rat arsed and pulled too far into the garage. He could not open the door enough to be able to push off the back wall. His son found him sawing logs, calm as you like. The upside is that he gave up driving and drinking both.

[@idriveaclassic]

Jeepers. What a story!

[@Adam_T]

Fantastic Steph thanks , saw quite a few of these in my early childhood .. BTW love the dress and boots, very period :) , I`d be wary of Cujo running around with only a bubble car to take refuge in 😂 ,............. were they really that expensive (over £1000) ? , with minis at around £500 , I`m amazed they sold any ..

[@idriveaclassic]

Over £1000 in todays money. Would’ve been a lot less back then.

[@graemew7001]

Not very skirt friendly, I bet you were very self aware throughout the shoot lol. Ian would have been proud of the way the wiper cleared the screen! I love these micro cars, they all have a personality of their own and must be a hoot to drive and I doubt that LHD/RHD makes much of a difference at the speed they go.

[@radiosnail]

Being born in 1964, I seem to remember a lot of these being around when I was a small boy. An abiding memory is of seeing three nuns climbing into one in a car park in Bexleyheath. On reflection, perhaps they were two nuns or three very small nuns.

[@idriveaclassic]

Amazing 😂

[@ronkemperful]

Great video! A fun trivia: The 1950s movie comedy, YOUR PAST IS SHOWING, featured this car.

[@lesklower7281]

Steph a BMW Isetta now l have actually seen one of these in Sydney not driving on a road but in a car sales yard and l would drive past this yard many times l could tell it was an lsetta it was a bit of a distance awsy l don't think these were brought into Australia in the 1960s

[@nigelweaving9045]

I had one of these in the mid 60's. I am over 6ft and had no bother fitting in. Unfortunately, I spent more time working on the vehicle that driving it. That said I did learn a lot of mechanical skills. A great first car.

[@Pickchore]

The Sainsbury’s by St. Bartholomews church. The church that is supposed to be the same size as Noah’s ark and home to one of the highest nave in the British Isles.

[@davidcooks5265]

Steph this radio thing lol🥰

[@tonymartin1119]

There’s a rare 4 wheel BMW Isetta at the Jurby Transport Museum, Isle of Man.

[@idriveaclassic]

I loved that museum x

[@caw25sha]

So they thought that being able to ride a motorbike meant you could drive this safely forwards but couldn't be trusted to reverse? Sounds perfectly logical 😂

[@idriveaclassic]

Haha I report the rules I don’t make them 😂😂😂😂😂