If you are under the age of 20, you might not recognize this car, but otherwise you’ve probably seen a BMW Isseta before. Made famous again by the lovable and weird Steve Urkel character on Family Matters in the 1990’s, this little car is weird, cute, and fun with a heavy emphasis on the little and weird. With an entire nose that opens up, and a steering wheel that pivots out of the way, it required some practice to climb in and out of comfortably. But they are a car that makes you smile and definitely draws everyone’s attention. Think Smart Car but way older.
In the video below from Jay Leno’s Garage you’ll learn all about these little cars and also see why Jay thinks this might be the ultimate city car. I mean it is easy to park!
Video Description:
Jay Leno steps inside an absolute automotive hero that looks anything but heroic: a 1958 BMW Isetta 300. Before BMW built precision sports cars and luxury sedans, the company was completely devastated by World War II. Restricted by post-war regulations, they desperately needed a vehicle to keep them afloat. And this eccentric, Italian-designed microcar was exactly what saved the brand.
Jay welcomes guest Danny Patlin to the garage to explore the engineering details of this iconic bubble car. Originally designed in Italy by ISO (a company that famously manufactured refrigerators and deep freezers), the Isetta features its legendary single front-opening door, complete with a pivoting steering wheel assembly.
BMW bought the licensing rights, re-engineered the vehicle with premium German craftsmanship, and stuffed it with an air-cooled 298cc four-stroke motorcycle engine. With over 160,000 units sold in its era, the Isetta gave BMW the financial capital to build the performance machinery they are known for today.
Watch as Jay and Danny squeeze into the cabin for a hilarious, flat-out test drive through the streets of Los Angeles. It’s a classic case of why driving a slow car fast is sometimes the most fun you can have on wheels!
