"QUANTUM SHOT" #251link
Bigger than your bike, smaller than your typical European parking space
A product of traffic & parking problems in high-density urban areas, small cars have a lot of redeeming qualities. They are endlessly practical, often cute and mostly easy on your wallet. While you'd need to sacrifice much of your space and comforts, you'll have a reward of being considered ecologically & street "smart". Some of the models can go 40 km per liter (100 miles per gallon), which is advertised as "almost cheaper than walking".
Of course soccer moms will still need vans and macho fathers will still need a Hummer statement, but if you live in the urban area, where parking space could cost you as much as $250,000 (link) - these little critters may be just for you. They certainly speak to our sense of esthetic and evoke a strong desire to hug them and pat them on the back.
This would be the first part of a series; let us know about other models and we'll include them later.
1954 Mivalino small car (truly rare find) - Italian Mi-Val motorcycle company's own version of the Messerschmitt KR-175:
(images credit: Microcar Museum)
(image credit: pic.dc.yesky)
Vintage Miniature Cars
This is a very rich collector's category, as there have been multitude of models produced in many countries. It seems the Fifties were the "boom" times for miniature cars. Many prototypes achieved mass production, but their popularity cooled off in the Sixties, and regretfully almost stopped in the Seventies, with compact Japanese imports effectively killing sub-compact market.
Smallest ever car to go into mass production was the fascinating "Peel" P50 car (you could almost carry it as a suitcase) - more info here.
(image credit: Peel Microcars)
(image credit: Rumcars)
Despite having only one light (of any kind) and 5-inch wheels, the car was nevertheless deemed street legal.
(image credit: Chris Littler, courtesy Peel Microcars)
"Top Gear" recently tested "Peel" car, while driving it to, and INSIDE, their office:
"Trident" model came in 1964, described as "a terrestrial flying saucer". Photos by kind permission of Andy Carter.
(images credit: Peel Microcars)
There are many good pictures of these cars on this page. You can even order an assembly kit for a "Peel" replica.
Brutsch 1958 "Mopetta" was another vintage vehicle that we like:
(image credit: Schowver-online)
At this point we'd like to refer you to the most interesting site: The Microcar Museum. It has loads of pictures and data on most microcar models, including Mopetta.
Here is a sample:
1955 Inter 175 A Berline -
1955 Fuji Cabin (Japan) -
1958 Zundapp Janus (Germany) -
(image credit: Microcar Museum)
Isetta, My Beloved
The most easily recognizable of all "bubble cars" of the vintage era, the Isetta evokes the feelings of sophisticated European romance like no other small-budget car. It was seen in many movies of the era, and was quite popular for many years and earned many names. French called it "yogurt pot", Germans "coffin on wheels" (apparently disdaining very little space inside), Italians "little eggs". Originally designed in Italy, Isetta was made by various manufacturers, namely ISO, Velam and BMW.
1957 Velam Isetta - quite rare version:
(images credit: Microcar Museum)
(images credit: Redspot.blogbugs)
The Isetta apparently had enough power in her to pull a trailer:
Isetta serving as a police vehicle? Why not, in the narrow streets of European towns it would come in very handy.
Trojan 200A from Heinkel (model from 1963) was a car similar to Isetta, but hyped as a better one; it did enjoy significant popularity with even stranger looking design:
(images credit: Microcar Museum)
We promise to publish more about Isetta and her clones in the future, as this little wonder on wheels seem to have captured the hearts of many collectors.
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The Small, the Tiny and the Utterly Absurd
The smallest of all is probably this bike, made by "Honda". Can it be folded even further to fit into your laptop bag?
Amazingly, they thought of the same concept as far back as 1951 in the Soviet Russia. Here's proof:
(image credit: Tekhnika Molodezhi, 1951)
This is a modification of Polski "Fiat" - a swanky convertible.
(image credit: Strange Cosmos)
"Smart" car is everywhere these days. But have you seen "Smart"-based crane?
or "Smart"-based Jeep-like SUV...
The Crosstown Concept, shown at the 2005 Frankfurt show:
I personally have spotted a few "little ones" on the streets in Amsterdam:
(images credit: Avi Abrams)
A smorgasbord of small:
(we don't really know much about these models. If you have any info, send it in)
UPDATE: Thank you all for the comments, I updated the info.
Here's a Pasquali three-wheeled tandem two-seater from Italy:
(images credit: Redspot.blogbugs)
"Carver One", by the Dutch company Carver Engineering (see more here) -
Daihatsu Midget micro-truck:
Morgan Super Sport, circa 1932-34:
(image credit: pic.dc.yesky)
"Tri-Magnum", designed by Robert Q. Riley:
(image credit: pic.dc.yesky)
(this is a Milieu R made by the Japanese firm Takeoka. More info)
3-wheeled Ape, produced by Italian Piaggio company:
(images credit: Redspot.blogbugs)
2001 Corbin Sparrow (designed by Mike Corbin):
And a vision for the future - "Venture One" from "Fly the Road" project (click here)
(image credit: pic.dc.yesky)
The American infatuation with the large cars (see evidence here and here), introduced the idea of the "backseat romance", which could not be properly fulfilled in these little vehicles (with the notable exception of Mr. Bean, perhaps, who even mastered the art of fully changing his clothes while driving). Europe and Japan continue to manufacture sub-compacts, with very few of these models seen overseas. Nevertheless, world's ecological situation may dictate another set of rules for all motorists, and we'll see yet another "Golden Age" of micro and "bubble" cars.
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Category: Automobile,Vintage
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