The Isetta was the brainchild of Renzo Rivolta, who manufactured refrigerators in Italy under the name Iso. Rivolta had a yen to make small, economical automobiles, so he seized on a design by engineers Pierluigi Raggi and Ermenegildo Preti, who had patented an ovoid vehicle using a scooter engine. They named it Isetta, literally meaning “little Iso.” It was just 7½-feet long and 4½-wide, it was shaped like an egg, and it had “bubble” windows. A single bench seat, adequate for two (or three if one was a child), was accessed by opening the entire front of the car. In doing so, the steering column would hinge forward on a universal joint, bringing the instrument panel with it.

Initially, the Isetta had but a single rear wheel, but a second was soon added for stability. Putting the two wheels close together obviated the need for a differential. A gear transmission gave four speeds forward and one in reverse, and it was driven by chain to the solid rear axle. Front suspension was by modified Dubonnet “knees,” and the rear suspension was by quarter-elliptic leaf springs.

About 1,000 were built before Rivolta sold the designs and tooling to BMW in 1954 and licensed others in Belgium, France, Spain, and Brazil.

When BMW took over the manufacture of Renzo Rivolta’s Isetta, changes were made to the drivetrain, so that they could use their own engine, and the swing-arm suspension was re-configured. The body, too, received some alterations, as the headlights were removed from the fenders and attached to the sides of the body. This gave a much better field of illumination. The first cars were built in April 1955, and production eventually surpassed 161,000 examples.

This Isetta 300 was restored approximately two years ago. It was finished in Cortina Grey over Bavarian Blue and has blue and white vinyl upholstery and the desirable sliding side windows, which were introduced in October 1956. The two-tone color scheme, with the contrasting color extending down the door, was a 1957 feature. It is in like-new condition, as it has be driven only 500 miles since restoration, and it is ready to be enjoyed by a new owner.