‘We own 1950s Isettas – they are the perfect bubble cars’

Dave Watson’s 1959 Bubble Car is valued at £25,000. “If you want to be noticed, arrive in an Isetta because it puts a smile on everyone’s face,” he chuckles.

“When I was a kid, I remember seeing my neighbour’s Isetta parked in a garage. That image stayed with me for about 20 years, at which point I bought my own.”

He admits there are some problems with the model, such as poor weight distribution in right-hand-drive cars creating a risk of tipping over – but it’s solved by adding weight to the vehicle’s left-hand side. “Overall, they’re well-built, economical and ideal city transport,” he insists.

The British-made Isetta was unveiled at the Dorchester Hotel in April 1957, the first of 21,000 assembled in the former Brighton railway works.

“The cars were sold via a network of sales agents, normally existing scooter and motorcycle dealers,” says Dave, pictured inset right, adding that the cars remain popular in nations such as Brazil, Japan and Germany.

Dave thinks around 2,000 of the cars survive worldwide, but it’s “difficult to say as many are probably hidden away – they do fit into small spaces!”.

Terry Parkin bought his Isetta over four decades ago. “A quirk of the UK licensing laws stated that holders of motor cycle licences were permitted to drive a threewheeled vehicle without a reverse gear, which led to the myth that they didn’t have one,” explains Terry.

“Initially, a removable bracket was installed to prevent the engagement of reverse. The law was later revoked and reverse allowed. “By then, most owners had already removed the bracket!”

In the early post-war years, the Isetta was a small fish in a big pond, so car component suppliers placed them at the back of the queue.

“This resulted in the Brighton factory fitting whatever was in their stores when supplies were interrupted – which was frequently. Today, it’s possible to walk down a line of 30 Isettas and not find two identical,” says Terry, who finds his car economical and reliable.

“They have simple, singlecylinder engines and I never get less than 45 miles per gallon – it can be up to 75 out of town. I can park nose-on to the kerb and step onto the pavement – it’s enormous fun. You certainly get more smiles per mile than any other vehicle!”

Terry’s Isetta has carried him and wife – Carol, 68, pictured above – across Europe, to attend microcar rallies or on holiday.

“Most of our continental journeys were incident-free as European drivers are generally appreciative of classics and allow plenty of room when overtaking, usually taking photos before waving. Some even pull over to the hard shoulder and wait until I re-pass to take more photos.

“We drove into Monte Carlo the day after Jenson Button won the Monaco Grand Prix and completed two laps of the circuit. That day, there were two Isettas in Monte Carlo – Prince Rainier has the other in his private collection.

Ian Wells believes the Isetta was ahead of its time. “The Isetta has a very quirky design,” says Ian, pictured below, who paid £14,000 for his.

“It can carry two people plus luggage, park end-on to the pavement and achieve 80 miles per gallon – what’s not to like?

“My parents had an Isetta when I was a child,” he says. “I remember my brother reaching out from his carry cot on the luggage shelf and turning the petrol tap off several times. Also, on one trip, the gear lever came off in my dad’s hand.

“He stood up, head through the sunroof and waved it at angry motorists behind. But much of the engineering was advanced for the 1950s. The front-opening door design was so advanced Microlino has just copied it.”

The Bubble Car does have drawbacks, though. “It’s slow, the gear change is beyond vague and the handling is interesting. “But I wouldn’t change any of it because it would lose its character.”

Helen Ayriss’ green Isetta appeared in a 2002 episode of Brum, the children’s TV series about a small replica car. Bought for around £400, Helen and husband Mike, inset above, invested considerable time bringing their own little car back to perfect condition.

“It was in pieces when we got it,” explains Helen, who concentrated on making new upholstery, while Mike took charge of the mechanics.

The upholstery lasted 30 years before the couple finally hired a professional to undertake an upgrade as well as a complete respray, says Helen.

“We’ve taken it all over Europe, especially Germany and Holland. The furthest I’ve driven is 330 miles from Hoek Van Holland to the Störy Rally in Germany, often with our three-wheeled Nobel 200, carrying one of our children and camping equipment in each car.

“Whilst we were there, we travelled into the old East Germany. Passing through border control with armed guards, electric fences and watch towers was certainly an experience.”

Brian Chadwick bought his Isetta, christened Nelly, on eBay for under £2,000.

“It was a proper basket case, I completely had to rebuild her,” admits Brian, pictured right. Yet today it’s clear he’s enamoured of his Bubble Car.

“She won’t win any races, the cars have a poor turning circle, and heating systems – if you can call it that – were only installed in deluxe models. Nevertheless, I still wouldn’t swap it,” he says.

“At a micro car rally in Yorkshire, the car experienced brake fade. All I had was the hand brake, which wasn’t doing much! Fortunately, I approached a side road with sufficient incline to slow down.

“Another time in the middle of Manchester, I had a puncture but wasn’t carrying a jack. Three kind people lifted Nelly up so I could replace the wheel.”

Kazzy Pilz smiles: “I always give our vehicles a name and this one is Squeakie, named after the meal, Bubble & Squeak.

“Chess is restoring another and that one is Bert. We love the smiles and happiness our little Bubble gives people. It causes a stir with everyone smiling and waving. Children regularly ask to sit in her.

“The Bubble – bought at auction for £10,000 – is fun to drive but being a classic means you really have to ‘drive’ her. It’s great when I change gears smoothly and can actually find reverse – that gear is still a bit elusive for me.”

Kazzy, pictured above with Chess, adores her primrose yellow car, explains: “I love the car’s cuteness, especially the way the front door opens with the steering wheel. I do find hill starts a challenge but when I complete one, well, there’s a real sense of achievement. I feel confident driving her and never want to get out.”

Kazzy has a selection of vintage clothes and often dresses to match the Isetta’s era. “Sometimes, we’ll both don yellow shirts to match Squeakie. I have yellow dresses and jackets, too. Even our little dogs, Ted and Meba, dress in their yellow harnesses and bandanas.”

Keith Porter owns a yellow Isetta which he calls Peaches and Cream and a blue one named Bella Bluebell.

He bought Peaches from a friend in Belgium as a retirement present for himself. Bringing the car back to the UK in pieces, he set about re-assembling the four-wheeler, originally made by the BMW factory in Munich.

Originally designed with four wheels on the continent, Isettas were sold as three-wheelers in the UK, meaning they could be driven on a motorcycle licence and were subject to a lower rate of road tax.

“Isettas are a solid, over-engineered car, economical, no tax or MOT are required and insurance is less than £100,” explains Keith, below, who regularly drives Bella to rallies. He’s even clocked up 120 miles in a single day.

“That was driving around the Yorkshire Dales. But such distances are hard work because the car only has a 300cc engine and you need to maintain momentum. Mind you, the ‘smiles per mile’ can’t be beaten.”