One of the most unusual Biscuter variants.

SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Autonacional S.A.

Origin: Barcelona, Spain

Production: 20,000 (all types)

Motor: Hispano-Viliers 1-cyl, 2-stroke

Displacement: 197 cc

Power: 9 hp

Length: 9 ft. 8 in.

Identification No. ANR3340

In February 1958, Autonacional S.A. expanded the Biscuter line with a purely business-suited version of the 200-C Comercial, the 200-I, dubbed Furgoneta in Barcelona, or Furgon in the Madrid dialect. The “I” stood for industrial, a nod to the truck box of wood capped with corrugated steel, which extended from the sides of the vehicle and was higher than the roof the driver’s cab. The result was a sort of Spanish depot hack, which had a payload capacity that was relatively limited, but it was durable in typical Biscuter style.

Easily the most adorable work truck ever produced, the 200-I was soon rendered obsolete, along with the rest of the Biscuter line, by the introduction of better-equipped, less expensive microcars by other major manufacturers. Just at the point where its production had reached its creative zenith, the Biscuter began to slowly fade from popularity, and it disappeared entirely in 1960. As a result, these later, unusual body styles are considerably rare and desirable among microcar enthusiasts, marking the end of the Spanish microcar.

The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum’s example is very complete and original, and while it shows wear throughout, it remains in beautiful, patinated condition for its age. It ranks among the most interesting Biscuters of the wide-ranging variety held in Bruce Weiner’s collection.