Logo BMW Isetta
The Isetta is an Italian-designed microcar built under licence in a number of different countries, including Spain, Belgium, France, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Because of its egg shape and bubble-like windows, it became known as a bubble car,
a name later given to other similar vehicles.
a name later given to other similar vehicles.
The BMW Isetta was in 1955 the world's first mass-production 3-Litres/100 km car.
It was the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world, with 161,728 units sold.[8]
It was the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world, with 161,728 units sold.[8]
BMW made the Isetta its own.
They redesigned the powerplant around a BMW
one-cylinder, four-stroke, 247 cc motorcycle engine which generated 10 kW (13 hp).
Although the major elements of the Italian design remained intact, BMW re-engineered
much of the car, so much so that none of the parts between a BMW Isetta Moto Coupe
and an Iso Isetta are interchangeable.
The first BMW Isetta appeared in April 1955.
In May 1962, three years after launching the conventionally modern-looking BMW 700, BMW ceased production of Isettas. A total of 161,728 units had been built.
BMW Isetta 250
While
it retained the "Bubble Window" styling, it differed from the Italian
model in that its headlamps were fixed separately to the sides of the
bodywork and it carried the BMW badge below the windscreen. The car was
also redesigned to take a modified version of the 250 cc four-stroke
engine from the BMW R25/3 motorcycle and the front suspension was
changed. The single-cylinder generated 9 kW (12 hp) at 5800 rpm.
The crankcase and cylinder were made of cast iron, the cylinder head of aluminium. However, the head was rotated by 180° compared with the motorcycle engine. The twin-bearing crankshaft
was also different in the Isetta power unit, being larger and featuring
reinforced bearings. One of the reasons for this was the heavy Dynastart
unit which combined the dynamo and self-starter. The fuel mixture was
provided by a Bing sliding throttle side draft motorcycle carburetor.
In addition to further changes of detail, the BMW engineers enlarged
the sump for installation in the car and cooled the engine
by means of a radial fan and shrouded ducting.
In addition to further changes of detail, the BMW engineers enlarged
the sump for installation in the car and cooled the engine
by means of a radial fan and shrouded ducting.
The
power train from the four-speed gearbox to the two rear wheels was also
unusual: fixed to the gearbox output drive was something called a Hardy disc, which was a cardan joint made of rubber. On the other side of it was a cardan shaft, and finally a second Hardy disc,
which in turn was located at the entrance to a chain case.
A duplex chain running in an oil bath led finally to a rigid shaft,
at each end of which were the two rear wheels.
which in turn was located at the entrance to a chain case.
A duplex chain running in an oil bath led finally to a rigid shaft,
at each end of which were the two rear wheels.
Thanks to this elaborate power transfer, the engine-gearbox unit was both free of tension
and well soundproofed in its linkage to the rear axle.
and well soundproofed in its linkage to the rear axle.
In Germany, the Isetta could even be driven with a motorcycle license.
The top speed of the Isetta 250 was rated as 85 km/h (53 mph).
The top speed of the Isetta 250 was rated as 85 km/h (53 mph).
The first BMW Isetta rolled off the line in April 1955, and
in the next eight months some 10,000 of the "bubblecars" were produced.
in the next eight months some 10,000 of the "bubblecars" were produced.
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