Bubble Car
The Isetta is an Italian-designed microcar built under license in a number of different countries, including the UK. 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 1957, Isetta of Great Britain began producing Isetta 300 models at their factory in the former Brighton railway works under licence from BMW. The bit I really like about this story is that this car factory had no access by road! All components were delivered by rail and finished cars were shipped out the same way.
As you can see above, the British cars had right-hand drive with the door hinged from the right-hand side of the car, with the steering column moved across to the right as well. Right-hand drive meant that both the driver and the engine were on the same side, so a 27 kg counterweight was added to the left side to compensate.
Dunlop tyres were used, and Lucas electrics replaced the German Hella and Bosch components, with a different headlamp housing being used. Girling brake components replaced the ATE brake parts.
The Isetta was not popular in the UK until a three-wheeled version was introduced. Although three-wheeled vehicles are more prone to rolling over, there was a financial advantage: they could evade automobile legislation and taxation by being classed as three-wheeled motorcycles, and could be driven with a motorcycle licence. In 1962, Isetta of Great Britain stopped production of the little cars but continued to produce the engines until 1964.
The three-wheel vehicle seen above was manufactured in 1961. It is an exhibit in the Science Museum in London.
Bubble Car
The Isetta is an Italian-designed microcar built under license in a number of different countries, including the UK. 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 1957, Isetta of Great Britain began producing Isetta 300 models at their factory in the former Brighton railway works under licence from BMW. The bit I really like about this story is that this car factory had no access by road! All components were delivered by rail and finished cars were shipped out the same way.
As you can see above, the British cars had right-hand drive with the door hinged from the right-hand side of the car, with the steering column moved across to the right as well. Right-hand drive meant that both the driver and the engine were on the same side, so a 27 kg counterweight was added to the left side to compensate.
Dunlop tyres were used, and Lucas electrics replaced the German Hella and Bosch components, with a different headlamp housing being used. Girling brake components replaced the ATE brake parts.
The Isetta was not popular in the UK until a three-wheeled version was introduced. Although three-wheeled vehicles are more prone to rolling over, there was a financial advantage: they could evade automobile legislation and taxation by being classed as three-wheeled motorcycles, and could be driven with a motorcycle licence. In 1962, Isetta of Great Britain stopped production of the little cars but continued to produce the engines until 1964.
The three-wheel vehicle seen above was manufactured in 1961. It is an exhibit in the Science Museum in London.