My dad bought my mum one of these in the late 60's as her first car. He spent several weeks driving it around the estate trying to make it feel right/safe, tinkering with various bits. Mum refused to drive it, so it was sold. It then passed them on the local dual carriageway going flat out with the new owner seemingly feeling quite safe! We often wonder how long he lived, driving an ISetta in that manner! Often wish they'd kept it, just for fun.
My father had one of those. I always thought it was cool getting in through the front past the steering wheel. I love how you've dressed for the part with the 1960s white boots; my mother had a pair of those. I did have a smile at the antics of the dog in the background.
Traded in my LI 125 for one of these, YXA636, colour blue. No Heater, no radio, however, courting was a lot more comfortable. Poor old girls length was reduced by 30% after being "rear ended" and shunted into a 100E Anglia in Heathrow Tunnel. The only exit for my future wife and myself was through the roof and with a bit of on the spot sheet metal work and wire to hold the door closed, we managed to get home safely. Happy days.
You really look the part Steph , fond memories of a friend in the 1970s buying a BMW Isetta on an ' economy ' mission with escalating fuel costs and being asked to drive it home 60 miles , an experience I shall never forget .I see the lovely St Bernard had to have a wee right on cue !!.
My first car was one of these . I drive it 27k miles all over the uk with no problems . I used go cruise flat out at 50 most of the time . Gear chsnge was the wirst part . I always had to double declutch on the downshift . I fitted carpets and lined the inner panels with felt . Made the car much quieter to ride in . Handling was surprisingly good once you got used to it . Mine was bright yellow ! All in all , a great little car that served me well . Even did my courting in it !!?
Here in the states, the Isetta gained notoriety with a television show called "Family Matters" where one of the main characters, Steve Urkel, drove one. Also, heaven forbid you'd be in a front end collision in one, I should think they'd simply pop open the window and remove you with a wet vac because there'd be nothing left of you! Still, they sure do bring smiles to a lot of people.
I don't know if it's still there but by a tourist shop on Kaua'i there was an Isetta parked out back. I was the only family member on this stop to recognize it. (This was around Christmas 2011.)
Nice one Steph , the gear layout isn't necessarily due to LHD as i had a mark 1 Twingo and the gear pattern was the same as a RHD drive. I love the design of the Isetta and have a deposit down on a new Microlino if it arrives :-)
When I was living in Stroud as an infant , these were quite common place , used to see several examples around town , always known as a bubble car. Brought in as economy motoring , post war and after the Suez crisis , they were perfect for the times. They were also the reason Sir Alec Issigonis brought out the Mini !
If it weren't for the safety, that would be the ideal car to travel around Cities ( with a smoother engine). Would scramble out onto the pavement with a silly grin every time. I know there is an electric modern ' tribute ' possibly coming, but that doesn't have the original charm. Your Channel is really hitting the quirky Car spot most times. 👍
I heard stories Isettas are renown for struggling up hills. The side siding windows would help a lot with asking from a passer-by to push me or pull me
Go Gina you certainly have captured that fab era of 60's wow! Always impressed by your very impressive mechanical knowledge. Never realised the left hand drive issue or that there were UK cars with Girling brakes! Great review
My first car was an Isetta as I only had a motorcycle licence. I had so much fun in that car. One time 4 of us went to Gt. Yarmouth in it, about 25 miles each way. Another time I and 2 mates went camping in Kent in it, with 2 tents, sleeping bags and a twin burner camping stove all crammed in somehow. One lovely summer day, I and my girlfriend went through a ford at about 30 mph. Water shot up the front and in through the open sunroof , soaking both of us. As I wanted something faster, I changed it eventually for a 250cc twin Bond Minicar estate version which had a top speed of 70 mph, amazing acceleration, and seats for 4. It was still fun because you could corner it on 2 wheels once you mastered the art.
I remember a lot of these on the roads in the 60's, I had a Triumph Vitesse at the time so they were mostly in my real view mirror, but they were popular & an interesting drive..
Lovely review Steph. Love these but shattered to know Gina wasn’t driving that one. I reckon hers had a radio as there was always 60s music playing when she was driving, 😆
Fantastic, Steph. Lovely wee car. I dont think the early examples had a revrse gear. Back when i was a kid in the 60s, one of the school friends who was also a neighbour. His grandfather cane home a bit rat arsed and pulled too far into the garage. He could not open the door enough to be able to push off the back wall. His son found him sawing logs, calm as you like. The upside is that he gave up driving and drinking both.
Hi Steph. Brilliant video of course never seen one with the radio fitted before. I would like to put that steering wheel cover with the spare so I could feel what the car is like on the road surface. Always remember the one that broke down on the W D programme. Thank god for Mr China.
Not very skirt friendly, I bet you were very self aware throughout the shoot lol. Ian would have been proud of the way the wiper cleared the screen! I love these micro cars, they all have a personality of their own and must be a hoot to drive and I doubt that LHD/RHD makes much of a difference at the speed they go.
Great video Steph of like the mini, an iconic little car! I’d take one of these over any BMW though having said that I do miss my E30 320i Touring estate that I owned 30 years ago!
I had one of these in the mid 60's. I am over 6ft and had no bother fitting in. Unfortunately, I spent more time working on the vehicle that driving it. That said I did learn a lot of mechanical skills. A great first car.
Being born in 1964, I seem to remember a lot of these being around when I was a small boy. An abiding memory is of seeing three nuns climbing into one in a car park in Bexleyheath. On reflection, perhaps they were two nuns or three very small nuns.
Steph a BMW Isetta now l have actually seen one of these in Sydney not driving on a road but in a car sales yard and l would drive past this yard many times l could tell it was an lsetta it was a bit of a distance awsy l don't think these were brought into Australia in the 1960s
I know they were made to be practical, but they're also such fun. Not sure if this applies, but the original Fiat 500 had a similar cloth sunroof purely to save on metal post war. I'm glad that dog only stopped for a pee and didn't squat behind you! 🤣
Fantastic Steph thanks , saw quite a few of these in my early childhood .. BTW love the dress and boots, very period :) , I`d be wary of Cujo running around with only a bubble car to take refuge in 😂 ,............. were they really that expensive (over £1000) ? , with minis at around £500 , I`m amazed they sold any ..
The Sainsbury’s by St. Bartholomews church. The church that is supposed to be the same size as Noah’s ark and home to one of the highest nave in the British Isles.
So they thought that being able to ride a motorbike meant you could drive this safely forwards but couldn't be trusted to reverse? Sounds perfectly logical 😂
I was born in '53, was used to seeing these in the late '50s as well as Meschersmitt tandem seat 'bubble" cars. Ideal step-up from motorbikes.
The St Bernard and bubble car in the same video absolutely made my day, thank you Steph you’re looking amazing x
I love that radio, especially in its door mounted console.
My dad bought my mum one of these in the late 60's as her first car. He spent several weeks driving it around the estate trying to make it feel right/safe, tinkering with various bits. Mum refused to drive it, so it was sold. It then passed them on the local dual carriageway going flat out with the new owner seemingly feeling quite safe! We often wonder how long he lived, driving an ISetta in that manner! Often wish they'd kept it, just for fun.
That’s brilliant 😂
The dog peeing in the back killed me ☠
Love your videos sooo much
Hahahah I laughed when I edited it and clocked it. FML 😂😂😂😂😂
Stephanie darling looking absolutely fabulous as always and love the rod
My father had one of those. I always thought it was cool getting in through the front past the steering wheel. I love how you've dressed for the part with the 1960s white boots; my mother had a pair of those. I did have a smile at the antics of the dog in the background.
I love my white boots. Heel fell off this week so I’ve had to jab it back on
Well pleased it was ok to drive in the rain. Those were some tight roads you were driving on to.
An stunning in your period outfit awesome. 🙂🙂
Yet another , goodnight and good morning to you Steph ... Absolutely smashing boots... Nicely done , you slay us ...
Traded in my LI 125 for one of these, YXA636, colour blue. No Heater, no radio, however, courting was a lot more comfortable. Poor old girls length was reduced by 30% after being "rear ended" and shunted into a 100E Anglia in Heathrow Tunnel. The only exit for my future wife and myself was through the roof and with a bit of on the spot sheet metal work and wire to hold the door closed, we managed to get home safely. Happy days.
You really look the part Steph , fond memories of a friend in the 1970s buying a BMW Isetta on an ' economy ' mission with escalating fuel costs and being asked to drive it home 60 miles , an experience I shall never forget .I see the lovely St Bernard had to have a wee right on cue !!.
Hahaha the cheeky puppy.
My first car was one of these . I drive it 27k miles all over the uk with no problems . I used go cruise flat out at 50 most of the time . Gear chsnge was the wirst part . I always had to double declutch on the downshift . I fitted carpets and lined the inner panels with felt . Made the car much quieter to ride in . Handling was surprisingly good once you got used to it . Mine was bright yellow ! All in all , a great little car that served me well . Even did my courting in it !!?
Just come back from a car show in Devizes, had a lot of Marcos's to Rolls Royce and the humble metro.
Thi video is the icing on the cake !👍
remember them from my childhood ,very cool steph
Not many left them.u see loads reliant Robins.u was lucky in that car steph narrow roads .Nice dress u wore.great video x
Thank you it’s probably same age as the car
Love your well informed reviews, never boring! Thank You!
Here in the states, the Isetta gained notoriety with a television show called "Family Matters" where one of the main characters, Steve Urkel, drove one.
Also, heaven forbid you'd be in a front end collision in one, I should think they'd simply pop open the window and remove you with a wet vac because there'd be nothing left of you! Still, they sure do bring smiles to a lot of people.
Ahh that’s cool!
Great review - thanks Steph. My mum had one of these - this brings back a lot of memories.
I don't know if it's still there but by a tourist shop on Kaua'i there was an Isetta parked out back. I was the only family member on this stop to recognize it. (This was around Christmas 2011.)
Oh that’s cool!
Great video Steph as always. Thank you for keeping the dog off the cutting room floor.
Haha I love including silly stuff
Great episode. The big dog was the chef's kiss.
It made me CACKLE so I left it in
Much appreciated, thanks for posting Steph 😊👍
You do a great job of these videos.
Back in th1960's a lady had one,we called it a bubble car !!
Not the first time I see it.
But everytime I see that thing, I think it has a heartbeat! 💗
:)
I never have one but I did like it from verry long time ! Let I say more than 50 years.
Nice one Steph , the gear layout isn't necessarily due to LHD as i had a mark 1 Twingo and the gear pattern was the same as a RHD drive. I love the design of the Isetta and have a deposit down on a new Microlino if it arrives :-)
I’d love a Microlino x
When I was living in Stroud as an infant , these were quite common place , used to see several examples around town , always known as a bubble car. Brought in as economy motoring , post war and after the Suez crisis , they were perfect for the times. They were also the reason Sir Alec Issigonis brought out the Mini !
What a great car and a good video as always steph 😊
Thank you!
A great episode on the channel well done now 👍👍
Thank you!
If it weren't for the safety, that would be the ideal car to travel around Cities ( with a smoother engine). Would scramble out onto the pavement with a silly grin every time. I know there is an electric modern ' tribute ' possibly coming, but that doesn't have the original charm. Your Channel is really hitting the quirky Car spot most times. 👍
If we didn’t have SUVs Rocking round with bad drivers we’d all be safer x
I heard stories Isettas are renown for struggling up hills. The side siding windows would help a lot with asking from a passer-by to push me or pull me
I’m quite a large lady weight wise I’d say and I bombed up them no sweat x
Another good video Steph.
It was only the UK and UK build cars with 3 wheels... most had four ...maybe for tax reasons or as you say motor bike licence in UK 🫣
Indeed!
Go Gina you certainly have captured that fab era of 60's wow! Always impressed by your very impressive mechanical knowledge. Never realised the left hand drive issue or that there were UK cars with Girling brakes! Great review
The Isetta was probably the best of the bubble cars but I also like the Messerschmitt KR200.
The car looked small next to a st Bernard
Issy loved her day out with Steph!
1 cyl, 1 door, 1 bench, 3 wheels.. so bonkers it's great!
Haha right?! I loved it
I’m not sure you’d need to worry about another way out if you had a head on crash.
Let me go in peace doing something I love x
Love the detailed knowledge & enthusiasm you share. I enjoyed following this up with a rewatch of the Full Charged episode on the Microlino.
My first car was an Isetta as I only had a motorcycle licence. I had so much fun in that car. One time 4 of us went to Gt. Yarmouth in it, about 25 miles each way. Another time I and 2 mates went camping in Kent in it, with 2 tents, sleeping bags and a twin burner camping stove all crammed in somehow. One lovely summer day, I and my girlfriend went through a ford at about 30 mph. Water shot up the front and in through the open sunroof , soaking both of us. As I wanted something faster, I changed it eventually for a 250cc twin Bond Minicar estate version which had a top speed of 70 mph, amazing acceleration, and seats for 4. It was still fun because you could corner it on 2 wheels once you mastered the art.
These cars were useful in the UK during and after the Suez crisis in 1956, when we had ration books again!
I remember a lot of these on the roads in the 60's, I had a Triumph Vitesse at the time so they were mostly in my real view mirror, but they were popular & an interesting drive..
I had one of these. It was my first 'passion wagon'.
Lovely review Steph. Love these but shattered to know Gina wasn’t driving that one. I reckon hers had a radio as there was always 60s music playing when she was driving, 😆
😂😂😂😂
This is you🎉🤩👍🏴
Fantastic, Steph. Lovely wee car. I dont think the early examples had a revrse gear. Back when i was a kid in the 60s, one of the school friends who was also a neighbour. His grandfather cane home a bit rat arsed and pulled too far into the garage. He could not open the door enough to be able to push off the back wall. His son found him sawing logs, calm as you like. The upside is that he gave up driving and drinking both.
Jeepers. What a story!
Hi Steph. Brilliant video of course never seen one with the radio fitted before. I would like to put that steering wheel cover with the spare so I could feel what the car is like on the road surface. Always remember the one that broke down on the W D programme. Thank god for Mr China.
Not very skirt friendly, I bet you were very self aware throughout the shoot lol. Ian would have been proud of the way the wiper cleared the screen! I love these micro cars, they all have a personality of their own and must be a hoot to drive and I doubt that LHD/RHD makes much of a difference at the speed they go.
Exiting this car after a head-on collision would be very easy. Your ghost can simply float from the wreckage.
Great video Steph of like the mini, an iconic little car! I’d take one of these over any BMW though having said that I do miss my E30 320i Touring estate that I owned 30 years ago!
Have you seen the new Microlino production car from Switzerland? Like a modern electric Isetta. Good video thank you.
I so want one
I had one of these in the mid 60's. I am over 6ft and had no bother fitting in. Unfortunately, I spent more time working on the vehicle that driving it. That said I did learn a lot of mechanical skills. A great first car.
Being born in 1964, I seem to remember a lot of these being around when I was a small boy. An abiding memory is of seeing three nuns climbing into one in a car park in Bexleyheath. On reflection, perhaps they were two nuns or three very small nuns.
Amazing 😂
Such a great video, I love you and the isetta ❤ it's the only bmw I'd have 😊
Same
Great video! A fun trivia: The 1950s movie comedy, YOUR PAST IS SHOWING, featured this car.
You picked a terrible road to take that car out on .... Test of your confidence i suppose and the concentration on your face 😆
Steph a BMW Isetta now l have actually seen one of these in Sydney not driving on a road but in a car sales yard and l would drive past this yard many times l could tell it was an lsetta it was a bit of a distance awsy l don't think these were brought into Australia in the 1960s
My primary school teacher had a pale blue 4 wheeled Isetta, think you paid more tax on those.
I know they were made to be practical, but they're also such fun. Not sure if this applies, but the original Fiat 500 had a similar cloth sunroof purely to save on metal post war. I'm glad that dog only stopped for a pee and didn't squat behind you! 🤣
Fantastic Steph thanks , saw quite a few of these in my early childhood .. BTW love the dress and boots, very period :) , I`d be wary of Cujo running around with only a bubble car to take refuge in 😂 ,............. were they really that expensive (over £1000) ? , with minis at around £500 , I`m amazed they sold any ..
Over £1000 in todays money. Would’ve been a lot less back then.
There’s a rare 4 wheel BMW Isetta at the Jurby Transport Museum, Isle of Man.
I loved that museum x
Steph this radio thing lol🥰
The Sainsbury’s by St. Bartholomews church.
The church that is supposed to be the same size as Noah’s ark and home to one of the highest nave in the British Isles.
So they thought that being able to ride a motorbike meant you could drive this safely forwards but couldn't be trusted to reverse? Sounds perfectly logical 😂
Haha I report the rules I don’t make them 😂😂😂😂😂