In the early 1950s, a microcar was developed in Italy called the Isetta. Its egg-like shape earned it the nickname of “Bubble Car,” and it had a single door that opened in the front. They were licensed for manufacture by several companies, BMW perhaps being the most prolific. These cars are rare in the U.S. these days and would hardly meet DOT safety standards if they were mass-produced again. Located in a dry building in Florence, Kentucky, this pair has been sitting for many years and is offered together for $17,500 here on craigslist. Once again, Zappenduster emerges with another nifty tip!
After its Italian production included BMW in West Germany in 1955, two versions of the Isetta were offered, one with a 247cc single-cylinder engine and – later – another with a 298cc engine. If you managed to get up to 53-55 mph, you were doing well, especially on the tiny tires and with the windshield not far in front of you. But you got to enjoy fuel mileage of 78 mpg on regular gasoline. Records show that at least 161,000 of the Isettas saw the light of day in the 1950s. In some places, you could operate one with a motorcycle license.
We’re told that both of these egg-shaped cars were running when they were parked many moons ago. Now they’re covered with dust, and one of them has had its engine dismantled, but we’re told all the parts are there. Because of their dry storage, perhaps rust won’t be a problem, as I’m guessing that sheet metal replacements are hard to come by in the States. Since the titles are said to be clear, we assume both are 300s from 1957.
Somewhere in the family scrapbooks, we have pictures of renting one of these when we were on vacation in Florida when I was a little tyke. It looked like a fun ride to run around the streets of Miami Beach (if that’s where we went), and two adults and one mini-me were all these things could carry. The seller is open to offers and says that delivery is available (I assume with distance limitations).
It looks like they’re both 4-wheelers (similar body colours, but the sunroofs are different – one pale, one dark).
Rear wheels are coupled, no differential, this equals a tricycle, motorcycle, not car for road rules.
Currently, Isettas sold in Europe for €10’000 each unit, if you manage finding a buyer.
A man in Hercules Wankel IG had an Isetta with the Sachs KM-914 Snowmobile Wankel RCE, 303 cc per chamber, 24-30 HP, but technical control services asked €6’000 in brake tests to register it.
I think $7,500 would still be too much.
This is on my bucket list, for if I ever have enough money.
I always think Family Matters Steve Erkel car or just a clown car for shriners to drive.
I get it… One is not going to find these on every corner these days… But $17.5k!?… Yikes…
Don’t get me wrong. The Isettas are iconic cars. What I don’t get are the people who put pictures up like this and expect to get gold! Yes, they have value but this like a house cleaning sale. Do you want big money? Clean the cars for day, show what they need and give a presentation that is worth something……….
When I was serving in the USAF attending Tech School in Montgomery, Alabama 4/1961, a fellow Airman drive him & his wife from Washington state to Alabama in an Isetta!!! Took them about 8+days to drive! Scary…
Where are the “LS swap” guys?
There are 4 in nice shape on Hemings averaging $40k. Four for sale tells me the market is saturated. My hunch is that you *might* break even if you didn’t spend more than $10k for the pair.
About 40 years ago I did a frame off restoration on an Isetta ‘300’. Some parts were unobtainable at the time, but the wonderful Marilyn Felling in California supplied many, and I fabricated others. Enjoyed the car for years, but sold it out of necessity for less than I should have, considering it was a AACA winner in its class. Driving one is similar to a motorcycle, except instead of putting on a helmet, you climb inside one.
Clever design work… great for small commutes in european streets and villages.
17.5 must be the “I don’t want to sell” price
Time for an LS swap! What do you think?