Return of the Bubble Car? (reuters.com)

mikeebbbd writes: Back in the 1950s, many European carmakers (some of which are still in operation such as BMW) made tiny cars for one or 2 people that ran on tiny amount of gas. The remaining examples of bubble cars have become sort of a fetish. Now two Swiss brothers, according to Reuters, are trying to resurrect one of the more iconic designs -- the BMW Isetta. One wonders how it could meet any kind of safety standards, but a prototype is shown in the article. Perhaps it might be registered as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, which gets it by a few standards? Oliver and Merlin Ouboter have more than 7,200 orders for their Microlino, a modern version of the Isetta which swaps the old single-cylinder petrol engine for a 20 horsepower electric motor but keeps the famous front-opening door. The brothers, whose father Wim made millions from modernized kick-scooters, plan to launch the car in December. "The average modern car is way too big for normal use," said Oliver, the project's 24-year-old operations chief.

Comments

deathtrap

[rainmouse]

The original opened the whole chassis forwards and had no reverse gear. Presumably all the original drivers starved to death after driving into their garage.

Re: Size...

[Archangel Michael]

Ever see a F150 get hit by a dump truck? That's why I drive one! My average Dump Truck is way bigger. Finding parking though is a bitch.

Re:Hilarious

[hamburger lady]

Electric chairs in a two-seater are pretty silly.

you haven't bought a car in texas, i see.

Re: Size...

[Bender0x7D1]

You don't need to find a parking spot with a dump truck. Just bring some traffic cones and block off an area like it is going to be under construction. Bonus points for bringing one of the construction barriers with the blinking orange light. No cop is going to give a ticket when they think someone is doing emergency road repair.