The Vietnam Mobility Show 2025, scheduled for 26-28/12 at the Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC) in Dong Anh, Hanoi, will offer free admission. A highlight for visitors will be the Car Meet area, showcasing special vehicles owned by enthusiasts. Among the classic cars, the BMW Isetta is expected to be one of the rarest finds.

The Isetta's origins trace back to a microcar designed by the Iso company in Italy in 1953. Renzo Rivolta, owner of Iso – a company specializing in refrigerators, motorcycles, and three-wheeled light trucks – decided to build a small, three-wheeled car for mass distribution. The name Isetta means "little Iso" in Italian. Due to its egg shape and bubble-like windows, the Isetta was also known as the "bubble car." After a brief period of success, the Isetta's popularity waned due to competition from the Fiat 500C.

In 1954, BMW negotiated with Rivolta to purchase the rights, licenses, complete molds, and redesigned the vehicle to such an extent that no parts were interchangeable between the BMW Isetta and the Iso Isetta. The BMW Isetta featured three engine versions: 250, 300, and 600, along with three-wheeled and four-wheeled variants. In Vietnam, BMW Isettas are extremely rare. Previously, a red, four-wheeled Isetta was displayed at the Vietnam Auto Show 2015.

In the 1950s, BMW faced bankruptcy, with declining motorcycle production and luxury models like the 503 and 507 proving too costly to produce. BMW needed a new model that required no development costs and could generate immediate profit. The Isetta was the answer. Its egg-shaped design was retained, with a simple front end featuring halogen headlights. The car featured in this article has right-hand drive, so the door latch is on the right. The two holes near the logo on the front are for attaching windshield wipers.

In addition to halogen headlights, the car originally had auxiliary lights below to meet European standards at the time. However, these auxiliary lights have been replaced with LED lights for better illumination.

The car is only 2,28 m long and weighs 350 kg, making it easy to maneuver in the city or for short distances. Two adults can sit side-by-side, similar to a regular car.

The turn signals are positioned in the middle of the body. The lower body features an air intake vent to cool the rear-mounted engine, while the other side is completely flat. The sliding windows indicate that this car belongs to the second series (produced after 1956); the first series had side-opening windows divided into three separate glass sections.

The rear of the car features a tapered and rounded design. The fuel cap is placed high, and the fuel tank has a 24-liter capacity. A frame and luggage rack could be added to the rear. In the 1950s, BMW stated that the Isetta was not a small sedan, but an entirely new type of vehicle. Its price at the time was only 2,550 German marks (equivalent to 1,450 US dollars today), making the Isetta a popular car that most people could afford. Furthermore, Isetta drivers in Germany did not require a car license, only a motorcycle license. Over 8 years, 161,728 Isettas were sold. Production ceased in 1962 as living standards improved and people desired larger cars.

The car uses 10-inch wheels, covered with classic-style hubcaps. The car in this article uses Casumina tires, manufactured in Vietnam. The tires are rated for a maximum speed of 100 km/h.

The old, deteriorated roof has been replaced by the owner with a fixed mica plastic panel. Originally, all Isettas were produced with a fabric roof, similar to modern sunroofs. Besides providing cooling, a fabric roof was mandatory for emergency escape, as the driver had to enter the car through a single front-facing door.

When the front door opens, similar to a refrigerator door, the steering wheel and steering column also pivot, making entry and exit easy. The hinges and steering column support the door when fully open. However, after 60 years, many details of the featured car have aged, and the hinges have weakened, requiring manual support when opening the door.

The owner stated that the car was recently displayed at a cafe in Hanoi. Due to a lack of maintenance and repairs, the car deteriorated. Therefore, when it came into the hands of the new owner – an enthusiast who owns many classic cars – the vehicle underwent a complete restoration to be fully operational. The seats were re-upholstered with leather and Tartan fabric, a distinctive Scottish plaid pattern favored by German car manufacturers to create a classic feel. The felt material on the floor and wheel arches was also cleaned to remove dust and mold.

All BMW Isettas were originally produced with a four-speed manual transmission with reverse. However, the BMW Isetta in Hanoi has been converted to a semi-automatic transmission, eliminating the clutch pedal and the gear shifter next to the driver.

The minimalist speedometer cluster includes turn signal indicators, headlights, and a battery warning light. On the left, there is a turn signal switch and a control switch for the semi-automatic transmission.

The engine is rear-mounted, started by a Dynastart generator-starter unit. The front suspension is an independent Dubonnet type, while the rear suspension is a dependent rigid axle. In some four-wheeled models, the two rear wheels are placed only 52 cm apart, so a dependent rear suspension with a single leaf spring and coil spring eliminates the need for an expensive differential while maintaining stable cornering.

BMW engineers, accustomed to designing high-performance cars, initially made modest technical modifications to the Isetta's original two-stroke engine. By 1956, German government regulations for motor vehicles changed, encouraging BMW to develop a four-stroke, single-cylinder engine with a 300 cc displacement, 13 horsepower, 18,4 Nm of torque, and a top speed of 85 km/h. All mechanical components of the Isetta in this article have been restored to ensure stable operation.

Following its restoration, the car has been displayed at home and at special events. It is also for sale, targeting enthusiasts of unique classic cars who wish to collect a vehicle with a rich history that stands out from the crowd; the price has not been disclosed.

The car is expected to be displayed at the Vietnam Mobility Show 2025, taking place from 26-28/12 at the Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC) in Dong Anh. The owner will also bring several other classic cars, such as: Peugeot 203 Cabirolet 1954, Peugeot 203 Coupe A Vendre 1954, Peugeot 206, Peugeot 203, Citroen Tration Avent Coupe, and Citroen DS.

Minh Quan