1957 BMW Isetta 300 “Bubble Car”

Recently on a visit to the Blackhawk Museum, the author spied on display a restored 1957 BMW Isetta 300, a micro-car that due to its unique shape is known as a “bubble car.”  Originally designed by Iso in Italy the Isetta powered by a two-stroke motorcycle engine was first shown to the public in November 1953, the tiny seven-and-a-half-foot long car was a sensation. Iso made a few hundred of these cars, but most production was by license to manufacturers in France, Brazil, Argentina and Germany.

The German manufacturer, BMW (Bavarian Motor Works) introduced its version of the Isetta, known initially as the Motocoupe, in late 1955 with a single-cylinder four-stroke engine that displaced 250 cubic centimeters (CC) (15 cubic inches) and developed 12 horsepower. In early 1956 BMW added the larger 300 CC (18 cubic inches) that developed 13 horsepower to the product line.

Although the horsepower change is slight, and the top speed of 53 miles per hour (MPH) is unchanged, the 300 CC engine provides more torque and better hill-climbing ability. The engine is connected to a BMW 4-speed transmission with reverse that fed the rear two wheels and is cooled by a forced air fan. The nearly 800-pound Isetta was not designed for performance but fuel economy and a BMW Isetta could easily achieve over 60 miles per gallon of gasoline.  

Believe it or not, Isettas competed in the famed Italian road race the 1,000 mile Mille Miglia in 1954 and 1955. In 1954, Iso Isettas finished first, second, third, fourth and sixth in the economy car division and averaged over 43 miles per gallon with a winning average speed of 45 miles per hour.

a page from a BMW Isetta owners manual

As part of the licensing agreement BMW also purchased the body dies from Iso so the BMW cars are very similar to the Iso, but the deluxe versions such as the one on display in Danville, featured sliding side windows. The tubular chassis features independent front suspension with coil sprint, while the narrow rear suspension uses quarter elliptical leaf springs, and the car features four-wheel hydraulic brakes.   The design allowed a turning radius of 27 feet.

 

One of the most striking features of the Isetta is the front opening door with the hinged swing-away steering wheel and dashboard to allow passengers easy access to the bench seat. The author remembers as a nine-year old taking a ride in a BMW Isetta which was used by the local Rambler dealer, Dale Rambler, to ferry service customers home while their car was being serviced.   The BMW Isetta was marketed as an ideal suburban second car for shopping and picking the children up after school.  

After a peak of nearly 40,000 built in 1957, sales declined as BMW introduced larger cars - first the 4-seat 600 bubble car and then the model 700. In 1962, BMW manufactured the Isetta until May 1962 with a total of 161,728 built making it the most popular single-cylinder car ever built.

The fully restored 1957 BMW Isetta Model 57 Deluxe example on display at the Blackhawk Museum is finished in coral red and ivory with a folding black roof and gray and black interior.  The car is currently offered for sale at $35,000.

http://www.blackhawkcollection.com/