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1957 BMW Isetta

The BMW Isetta is the world's most popular microcar. Renzo Rivolta sold his Isetta microcar, plans, tools, and equity to Bayerische Motoren Werke, of Munich, in 1954.

The BMW Company was founded on aero engines and later produced motorcycles before moving into sports cars prior to World War II. After the War, the factory was in ruins and cash was short. Their range of large, bulbous cars failed to ignite the interest of the public. Short on options, management decided to take a gamble on something completely different - the Isetta microcar.

BMW redesigned the drivetrain to use its 247 cubic centimeter, four-cylinder motorcycle engine. The gearbox output was coupled to a shaft through a rubber universal joint, which led to the chaincase. Inside were double drive chains that rested in oil and attached to the solid rear axle. This setup made the power unit much quieter and reduced vibration. After the re-engineering, the setup was completely new with no earlier Iso parts used. The front suspension was also reconfigured to a swing-arm arrangement. Modifications to the body included raising the headlights above the fenders so that they attached directly to the body. In October of 1956, the side windows changed from the fixed 'bubble' type to sliding panes.

In 1956, the engine displacement was increased to 297 cubic centimeters and compression was raised, boosting power to 13 horsepower. There was an increase in torque, but the top speed remained the same, at 85 km/h.

Through 1962, more than 161,000 examples of the Isetta were produced. They provided BMW with a steady source of income, particularly in 1956 and 1957, when the Suez Crisis interrupted oil supplies to Europe. During the eight years that the Isetta remained in production, more than 160,000 examples were built, not counting Isetta production that continued in France, Belgium, Spain, and Brazil.


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2020

Related Reading : BMW Isetta History

At a time when cheap, short-distance transportation was preferred by consumers, BMW introduced the Isetta in November of 1953 at Turin. One of the most successful microcars that were produced in the post-WWII years, the egg-shaped Isettas design originated in Italy. The Isetta received the nickname bubble car because of its bubble-like windows and its egg shape. Other nicknames for the Isetta were....
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1957 BMW Isetta Vehicle Profiles

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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1957 Isetta
$1,050-$16,800
1957 BMW Isetta Base Price : $1,050

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Other 1957 BMW Models

Isetta 300

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
59.10 in.
1 cyl., 15.07 CID., 12.00hp
59.10 in.
1 cyl., 18.20 CID., 13.00hp
$1,050 - $1,050
59.10 in.
1 cyl., 18.12 CID., 13.00hp
$1,050 - $1,050
59.10 in.
1 cyl., 18.19 CID., 13.00hp
$1,050 - $1,050
59.10 in.
1 cyl., 18.19 CID., 13.00hp
$1,050 - $1,050
58.00 in.
1 cyl., 18.00 CID., 13.00hp
$1,050 - $1,050

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