Bubble cars
Tiny cars are not a new invention. Microcars, or “Bubble cars,” were all the rage in post-war Europe.
The trend started when the Italian refrigerator manufacturer ISO spA decided that small cars were in greater demand than new fridges, due to the fact that everyone had to get somewhere and no one had food. With a bulbous design based on Mussolini’s forehead*, the Isetta microcar became an immediate hit. It was manufactured by auto companies throughout Europe, leading to a series of local flavors. For instance, BMW moved the headlights to the fenders. The Isetta was also Steve Urkel’s car in Family Matters.
Around the same time, the boys at Messerschmitt had nothing to do, the Luftwaffe being on hiatus after finishing a 10,000 hour History Channel documentary. So they designed the KR-175, which would look really funny with a German helmet spike on the top. Later, a KR-175 was used in the cult classic Brazil
There’s a smörgåsbord of these cars at the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum. And if you want to buy one, there’s still models for sale at Ebay motors. Of course, they’re not cheap, and most have two-stroke engines, so they’re about as environmentally friendly as a lawnmower. But if you can find one, and have the means, go for it. At the very least, you can drive it in the parade and make the Shriners green with envy.
* I made this up.
May 12th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
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