1957 BMW Isetta Cabriolet

Description

Renzo Rivolta was an early adopter of the inventive bubble car style in 1953. The Iso refrigerator magnate created an odd four-wheeled, two-seat Isetta that was powered by a 236-cc, two-stroke twin-cylinder engine. The car was cute and quirky, with a steering wheel that hinged outwards with the front -opening door.

In 1954, Rivolta sold sold the rights to BMW, who was looking for an economical car with mass appeal to combat the company's bleak financial picture. Out went the two-stroke twin and in went a 250-ccfour-stroke singlemotorcycle engine. In 1956, the first full year of production, BMW sold 22,000 Isettas. Encouraged by the results, the engine was bumped up to a 297-cc version which turned the car into reliable transportation that was capable of 50 mpg at 50 mph. By 1962, BMW had built 161,728 Isettas.

All Isettas have a sliding sunroof so occupants could get out if the front door jammed.

It is estimated that approximately 1,000 BMW Isettas sold in the U.S. survive. Urban practicality and concerns about the price of gas – but mainly the cute quotient – have made the Isetta very desirable.