Bubble Cars - Why They Were So Popular

Think of the names Messerschmitt and Heinkel, and most people over the age of fifty will think of German plane makers. Think of BMW and most of us conjure up ideas of quite expensive luxury cars.

But, many might not realise that one thing they all have in common is they all were involved in some way or other in building small, economic cars, often referred to as 'bubble cars' back in the 1950's and 60's.

Bubble cars were, in the main, 3-wheeler cars, with the 3rd wheel at the rear. Some models had four wheels, the two at the rear very close together. The advantage of only having three wheels was that in some countries, the UK for instance, the law at the time required that someone with only a motorcycle licence could legally drive a 3-wheeler (as long as it didn't have a reverse gear with it). Why that was the law has never really been fathomed out, since the principles involved in driving a 3-wheel car are very similar to those of driving a 4-wheel car, rather than a motorcycle.

The steering wheels were attached to the opening front doors. As the door was opened the steering wheel moved with it, enabling the driver and any passengers to get in.

Also, road tax was much cheaper for a 3-wheeler than a conventional car, which again appealed to the more thrifty drivers.

People wanted cars which were cheap to buy, and economical to run, and the 'bubble car' fitted the bill perfectly, though there were limitations due to their small size.

Although the microcars were built at various times in a number of countries around the world, many were manufactured in Germany. One type which was made in the UK was the Isetta. The Isetta started life in Italy back in the early 1950`s. By today`s standards the engine was tiny, just 236 cc, and was in fact a two cylinder two-stroke motorcycle engine.

In Germany BMW manufactured the Isetta using a BMW one-cylinder, four-stroke, 247 cc motorcycle engine. It boasted the BMW Badge, and went into production in the mid-1950`s.

In Britain the Isetta was eventually made using just one wheel at the back, and without reverse gear, so that it would have a wider appeal for drivers with just motorcycle licences.

Although most bubble cars were popular up until the early 1960`s the time came when they lost their appeal.

Transport laws changed which made it so that drivers needed a full motorcar licence, and the road tax for 3-wheelers increased to make them more in line with 4-wheel cars.

Small cars such as the Mini became very popular. They had more room, carried more passengers, and were better designed from a safety angle.

The only surviving 3-wheel car to make it in to the 1990's was the Reliant Robyn, built in the Midlands of England. The Reliants had their single wheel at the front of the car, unlike bubble cars. Another popular car with a similar design-though using a motorcycle engine-was the Bond car, which was built into the 1960`s when production ceased.

With lower demand combined with increasing costs even the Reliant, which was luxurious compared to the bubble car, could no longer compete with the more conventional 4-wheel cars.

Why The Sinclair C5 Failed is one of Geoff`s similar articles on automotive topics. He also runs a blog- Ways To Save Money

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