The Isetta was a tiny "bubble car" with seating for two released in 1953 by an Italian company called Iso, which was later responsible for a range of high performance cars. There was also a VELAM Isetta, built under license in France, and a Romi-Isetta, built under license in Brazil. The most common Isetta, and the one this article talks about most, is the BMW version. BMW's Isetta was re-engineered over the Iso model, with none of the parts between an Iso/VELAM/Romi Isetta and a BMW Isetta being interchangeable. The BMW Isetta featured a 300 cc one cylinder motorcycle engine that could get it up to a terrifying 53 mph / 85 kph.
Perhaps the oddest feature of the Isetta is the idiotic positioning of the door. The front door held the steering wheel and dashboard of the car and was the entire front end of the car. In the event of a crash, occupants were to exit through the canvas sunroof.
In 2010, BMW showed a concept microcar called the i-Setta, a successor in spirit to the original Isetta, but without the boneheaded front door design. If it's like most modern BMWs, it will be safe.
You've come a long way, BMW.
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