BMW Isetta 250 - 70th Anniversary
Car scale model kit in 1/16 scale manufactured by Revell (ref. REV07735, also 4009803077352 and 07735)

As soon as World War II ended in the late 1940s, the microcar trend grew. The desire for greater mobility despite still limited financial possibilities led to the rise of these small cars, often powered by motorcycle engines. Following this trend, the Italian brand Iso presented its Isetta model at the 1953 Turin Motor Show. The Isetta was particularly characterized by its single front door, which, when opened, pulled the dashboard and steering wheel with it to prevent occupants from getting hurt when accessing the interior, which contained a small two-seater bench.

This ingenious car attracted the interest of other manufacturers, who decided to produce it under license, as was the case with BMW. At the time, the German brand was on the verge of bankruptcy, and the development of this small car would prove to be its salvation. Measuring only 2.28 m long and weighing just 350 kg, it was even more agile than any contemporary automobile. Due to the bulging shape of the windows, the structure resembles an airplane cockpit, and its fabric roof serves as an emergency exit. The body is self-supporting, but is mounted on a chassis of quadrangular steel tubes. The engine is mounted at the rear, with a rear track width of only 50 cm, as there is no differential.

BMW later introduced minor modifications to the Isetta, replacing the Iso twin-cylinder two-stroke engine with its own 250 cc, 12 hp four-stroke engine used in its motorcycles. The vehicle cost 2.580 marks, which was almost 1.200 marks less than the simplest model from VW, one of its main competitors. From 1956, the Isetta was available with an even more powerful 300 cc engine, taking the opportunity to update other aspects such as the windows, which became glass, and the heating.

By the end of production in 1962, some 160.000 Isettas had been built.