All about cars and driving

Drivers around the world today look for great gas mileage in a small package for urban driving. The Smart automobile, manufactured by a division of Mercedes Benz is a popular small automobile. The Nano by Tata has been touted as the next Volkswagen Beetle or Ford Model T. Many car manufacturers are seeking smaller and more efficient cars for the city driver. Even The designer of the mighty McLaren M-1 has designed a car made out of a new material that rival carbon fiber for toughness and integrity but are actually made from recycled newspapers and glass fibers mixed with a secret resin product. The t.25 City car designed by Gordon Murray has created a stir in the automotive world but actual production may be a few years away. The proliferation of small city cars is not new though. In the years after the Second World War many companies produced micro cars that were sold worldwide. These cars were small in size and provide urban transport for thousands of commuters each day. As the market cycles back to the smaller cars it is interesting to look back at the last microcars that were manufactured.

The Messerschmitt
A tiny three wheeled automobile that was produced in Germany after the war. When the company was not allowed to build planes after World War 2 plans for a small commuter car were produced and the car was built. The three wheel set up with two front wheels and one rear wheel created a stable ride. The car had an enclosed cockpit and provided a driver’s seat and rear seating for two passengers. A roadster model was created in eh late 1950s. As airplane production ramped back up the small car became a burden to the company and was eventually discontinued.

The Isetta

Another three wheeled vehicle with two front wheels and a single rear wheel the Isetta was initially designed by ISO, an Italian company. ISO licensed production of the Isetta to many other companies and BMW; the Bavarian Sports Car manufacturer produced many models of the Isetta for several years. The car was known for its front opening cockpit where the entire front section was hinged and opened for access to the cabin. BMW attempted to upgrade the Isetta and build larger models but production ended by 1958. The car was licensed to be built in countries all around the world.

Fiat, Nash, Gogomobile and NSU all produced microcars for several years also. Cars such s the Trabant soldiered on until the fall of the Soviet Union and its satellite states in the early 1990s. History is now repeating itself with the Ka Japanese cars and city cars from all major manufacturers.