BMW ISETTA TO THE RESCUE!
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- Опубліковано 24 сер 2024
- @thebarnmiami @gastonrossato @renzorossato
S5:E1
The 1957 BMW Isetta 300. The Italian German car that saved the automaker! We're looking at a U.S. model that undergone a full nut and bolt restoration. It's our 1st time behind the wheel of an Isetta....what a blast! The original design for this car belongs to the Italian automaker Iso., but also a refrigerator maker! (see any resemblance?) Unfortunately this car is not available for sale, but if you have any specific questions or need automotive advise we are only a click away. All links down below.
Isetta written description provided by Wikipedia:
The Isetta is an Italian-designed microcar built under license in a number of different countries, including Argentina, Spain, Belgium, France, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom.[7] Because of its egg shape and bubble-like windows, it became known as a bubble car, a name also given to other similar vehicles.
In 1955, the BMW Isetta became the world's first mass-production car to achieve a fuel consumption of 3 L/100 km (94 mpg‑imp; 78 mpg‑US). It was the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world, with 161,728 units sold.
The car originated with the Italian firm of Iso SpA. In the early 1950s the company was building refrigerators, motor scooters and small three-wheeled trucks. Iso's owner, Renzo Rivolta, decided to build a small car for mass distribution.[10] By 1952 the engineers Ermenegildo Preti[11] and Pierluigi Raggi had designed a small car that used the motorcycle engine of the Iso Moto 200 and named it Isetta-an Italian diminutive meaning little iso.[10]
The Isetta caused a sensation when it was introduced to the motoring press in Turin in November 1953.[10] It was unlike anything seen before. Small (only 2.29 m (7.5 ft) long by 1.37 m (4.5 ft) wide) and egg-shaped, with bubble-type windows, the entire front end of the car hinged outwards to allow entry. In the event of a crash, the driver and passenger were to exit through the canvas sunroof. The steering wheel and instrument panel swung out with the single door, simplifying access to the single bench seat. The seat provided reasonable comfort for two occupants, and perhaps a small child. Behind the seat was a large parcel shelf with a spare wheel located below. A heater was optional, and ventilation was provided by opening the fabric sunroof.
Power came from a 236 cc (14.4 cu in), 7.1 kW (9.5 hp) split-single two-stroke motorcycle engine.[12] The engine was started by a combination generator-starter known as Dynastart. A manual gearbox provided four forward speeds and reverse. A chain drive connected the gearbox to a solid rear axle with a pair of closely spaced 25 cm (10 in) rear wheels. The first prototypes had one wheel at the rear, but having a single rear wheel made the car prone to roll-overs,[citation needed] so the rear wheel layout was changed to two wheels set 48 cm (19 in) apart from each other. This narrow track eliminated the need for a differential. The front axle was a modified version of a Dubonnet independent front suspension.
The Isetta took over 30 seconds to reach 50 km/h (31 mph) from rest. Top speed was only about 75 km/h (47 mph). The fuel tank held only 13 litres (3.4 US gal; 2.9 imp gal); the Isetta would get somewhere between 5.6 l/100 km; 42 mpg‑US (50 mpg‑imp) and 4.0 l/100 km; 58 mpg‑US (70 mpg‑imp).[citation needed]
In 1954, Iso entered several Isettas in the legendary Mille Miglia where they took the top three spots in the economy classification. Over a distance of 1,600 km (1,000 mi), the drivers achieved an average speed of over 70 km/h (43 mph). However, despite its initial success, the Isetta was beginning to slip in popularity at home, mainly due to renewed competition from Fiat with its 500C model.
Renzo Rivolta wanted to concentrate on his new Iso Rivolta sports car, and was interested in doing licensing deals. Plants in Spain and Belgium were already assembling Isettas and Autocarros using Italian-made Iso components. BMW began talking with Rivolta in mid-1954 and bought not just a license but the complete Isetta body tooling as well. Rivolta also negotiated licensing deals with companies in France and Brazil.
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#bmw #isetta #bmwisetta
MB01SYW3S4OY6GM
Light-blue and White, fantastic color combination. Just very relaxing and tranquil.
I'm so glad you treated the Isetta with respect. First car I ever drove (I was 12!)..had one in the family for over 20 years. Ours also had a heater lever on top on the choke lever and it had 4 forward gears and reverse ! 300cc engine, three wheeled...wish I still had it ❤
They were fun to drive, back in the early 1960's, when I had mine. My Isetta GB 300cc three-wheeler would do an indicated 62 mph (probably about 58 mph actual) and return around 60 mpg (Imperial). It also kept me warm, comfortable and dry, a vast improvement when compared to almost freezing to death, riding my 250 Jawa motorcycle on my 75-mile-each-way weekly commute, in the depths of an English winter! Being LHD, in thick fog, I could slide the side window and see where the edge of the road was; converesly, overtaking was something of an adventure! They would stay in the traffic-stream too, as most cars were a lot slower, back in the day. The car may have been small, but it was efficient and, as most young blokes at that time couldn't afford any sort of a car, it gave me a distinct advantage with the ladies; and yes, if you're wondering, it was possible in one of them! :))
This is Major! This is real! This is Deep! Behold The Glory! The BMW Isetta 300 for 1957-How Much Do We All Love BMW Isettas?!!!
A friend had one of these little cars in the late 70's.
One day he was trying to push start it on his own, it started, so he ran around to the front to jump in, but he tripped and ran himself over with it!!
Not hurt, just embarrassed.
Welcome back to Find the Isetta, UA-cam's favorite show!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
The petrol on/off switch comes from the fact that the engine is a scooter engine. You have that same fuel on/off switch on motorcycles, even today. The Isetta had its 50th anniversary in 2005. The little car used to be part of the daily road traffic picture, when I was a young school kid. - Fond memories. :)
Thank you for sharing the info! Such great little cars.
In BMW form the engine is a motorcycle engine. The fuel switch is Off, On, Reserve (no fuel gauge) as per motorcycles as you say
As kids, one day we saw an Isetta parked in front of the village shop. With a few friends, we lifted the little car all the way up to the wall, so the door couldn't be opened. Then we waited to see, what the owner would do. The owner came back, looked at the car and at us, watching from a safe distance. He smiled, lifted the back of the car and walked it around, turning the car sideways, got in and drove off, waving at us, as he drove past. - The joke was on us. :D
Nice review fellas, it's lovely to see brothers so close and respectful of each other too.
Love your video. Nicely done, and very engaging. Can’t wait for my Isetta to be restored.
Thanks! It's a unique little car, hopefully you'll be on the road soon!
@@GastonRossato Thank you! 🙏🏽
amazing! Researching the SOLO brought me here.
Wow! Wow! Wow! Exceptional video! I loved this video, guys! I'm rooting for your channel! Love how unique it is. Excited for next week's video.
Thanks man! Your support is very much appreciated
@@GastonRossato, No problem! Keep it up! See you at our next SAMA meet up.
Most underrated channel 🤔 keep going💯
Thank you for
Your support!
That looks like it was fun to drive! I didn't know it had that kind of history 👏🏽
Thank you. Glad to hear we’re bringing some value. Oh, and it’s a blast to drive!
@@GastonRossato Murcielago Lap640
SO cute!!!!
I am German born and remember seeing the Isetta driving around, In the German language all cars are masculine except die Isetta which is feminine guess why because you enter from the front just like you enter a woman from the front lol Christof in Toronto
That’s a badass little car!
Too cool 😎
Hey, it's Steve Urkel's car, so...
GREAT VIDEO WITH MORE CORRECT INFORMATION THAN MOST .
SOME THINGS THEY GOT WRONG :
BMW ISETTAs HAVE A 3 1/2 GALLON TANK
ISO ISETTAs HAVE 4 WHEELS
YES , BMW PRODUCED 162,000 ISETTAs
BUT THAT LEAVES OUT ANOTHER 50,000 CARs THAT WERE PRODUCED BY
ISETTA OF GREAT BRITAN , ROMI OF BRAZIL , ISO OF ITALY , VELAM OF FRANCE & ISO ESPANIA OF SPAIN !
Thank you. Good info
Caps lock is on
Thanks. As a kid in Reno there were a number of these cars that just fascinated me. I remember wondering what one would do in a fender bender.? I found out one day. The door came un-hinged ! Plus the roof was open on a number of them.
Reminds me of riding a jeepney in the Philippines with a friend. We were practically on each other’s lap. 😆
I actually owned and drove one of these in the early 70s - in Brighton. I got it in a swap for a Rogers Hi-Fi amp. No question, it was the most infuriatingly troublesome car I have ever known (second place was a Brazilian built Beetle with a clutchless manual gearbox - an absolute DOG). These Isettas have some sort of combined generator/starter motor - fantastically useless design. The starter motor constantly burned out. In consequence, after paying for a couple of repairs, I resorted to only parking where there was at least a gentle slope. In one case (outside Adelaide Crescent) I could only start the car by leaving the front door unlatched and the driver's window open, then pushing it to get it rolling after which I ran backwards in front of the car, did a 180, jumped backward into the car, jammed it in gear and bump started it. Unfortunately the gear lever usually jammed in 1st. I then had to stop, declutch, unscrew the gear lever retaining collar, refit the lever, re-screw the collar and drive away. Until next time. On one occasion I crossed Brighton at night carrying a Lambretta scooter tied on the luggage rack, a full grown German Shepherd lying on the back window platform and its owner alongside me. Even slight turns caused one of the front wheels to lift clear of the road. On another I transported a friend's huge Special Plant, also at night, across town with about 3ft emerging from the open sunroof. When I see the price that these things fetch today I feel quite ill.
EXCELLENT VIDEO . . . . . . . 😂😂😂 👏👏👏👏👏 🚘
Thank you!
Your far shots of the Isetta is pure comedy gold
Thank you!
@@GastonRossato Would love to know if & when the Microlino version comes to the U.S. Wish they had hybrids...
Nice video, and nice car. I think that you are a bit pessimistic about the top speed. I regularly had more than 60 MPH out of mine. about 1968 I followed an E-type (XKE) Jaguar from London to Bournemouth, obviously he was not trying that hard, but was not hanging about either. I think he was amazed that the Isetta went that fast.
On another occasion, the driver of a Lamborghini Mura stopped and got out to look at the Isetta.
Wish I still had the Isetta. I bought it for £25, sold it after a couple of years for £85.
Thank you for sharing. A tune up later proved we were missing a little power.
I heard that the three wheel Isettas were for the UK because if they had four wheels you couldn't drive them with a motorcycle license. "What a exciting car" was kind of a stretch...... LOL
The car is extremely exciting. Excites me every time I see it at least...nothing else like it
See my "review" here.
Life of Palos steered me to your channel. I have a 1958 Isetta in red and white. Cool content... New subscriber...
Awesome! Thank you for the support 💪
The only car that opens up like the fridge...
Only 3 brakes for 4 wheels! I had mine on the freeway when speed limit was still 55, I got up to 47 MPH
Nice!
Many early volvos only had one brake lol. Only 30-40hp engines!
My dad had a three-wheel Isetta when I was 6 or 7 years old.
I remember he could lift the front off the ground with one arm.
We have the limo version where I come from (414) so it's probably better to be reliable enough with it....thanks
I owned a 1957 Isetta 300 that I paid $75 for 50 years ago. I think I had it up to 50 mph once. Scary as there is only 3 brakes for the 4 wheels. It wanted to switch ends at that speed. My friends and I would run it around a horse dirt track. We got it air born once. The shift pattern is a backward 4 speed.
My "brother" Boris had one when he was in college.
Buen contenido suscriptor nuevo!
Muy bonito yo tengo uno rojo y alguien día me gustaría restaurar lo y pintarlo de ese color pero x falta de plata no lo e podido hacer aún espero algún dia ponerlo en condiciones y salir a disfrutarlo con mi familia y la gente. el mi es modelo 58 usa igual que ese soy el tercer dueño soy de Mendoza Argentina saludos
Muy bueno! Espero verlo pronto. Gracias!
@@GastonRossato cuando quieras bro si algun día venís para Agentina y a Mendoza yo soy de Maipu de la cuna del vino si algun día venís tr invito unos vinos y un Buen asado 👍🏻te voy a de ver una vuelta en mi isetta xq todavía no lo e podido poner en marcha por falta de plata gracias gaston por tu respuesta y mucha suerte
Esa es como la mía
This thing would be perfect with an electric motor!
Already in the works. Microlino is called
"If you had a car like this, you wouldn't have a wife or a girlfriend."
- Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear S15 E02
Lol love it
As Richard Hammond accurately (and frequently) observed, "Clarkson's a knob!" Speaking as a race-driver with 36 years in the sport (open-wheelers and tin-tops), Clarkson is a hopeless mechanic and he can't drive, either. Hoon, yes. Drive, NO!
Oh, and Clarkson was wrong with his assertion, too.
I'd do the Hayabusa 600cc engine swap and do the straight shift. You'd get it up to 90mph and make it highway legal.
Haha that would be insane 🤔
@@GastonRossato if that dude can swap a 900 into a golf cart I'm sure it can be done for the ISETTA lol
I’m making an edit for this car lol
any one know where to sell a Isetta which are in very good shape... P.T: its running in Denmark
Rate 1/10 how fun is it to drive up hills?
Guysss
But other than that cool car
This was my first car i bought new in the UK in 1959,it was a 3 wheeler and cost me 300 pounds ,had a few problems with and kept it 2 years, pale blue no heater ,good fun, could drive in the UK on a motor bike license as long as you had the reverse gear blanked off .now worth over 20,000 dollars in the US.
Ha! Great story and thank you for sharing
@@GastonRossato Thankyou .
I am here because of steve urkel.
You guys god one for seal or know someone who has one for seal
None for sale at the moment , but keep an eye on our inventory at thebarnmiami.com
Ok why do I feel like my go kart might go faster
It might! Lol
How to escape East Berlin, DDR
🤣🤣🤣
Urkel Car