After BMW began building cars again in 1951, its “premiumonly” strategy proved flawed quickly. Needing a more affordable car, BMW licensed production of the Isetta from Iso of Italy in 1954 and replaced Iso’s two-stroke engine with a more reliable four-stroke single borrowed from the R 25 motorcycle. The Isetta was hugely popular, albeit briefly, especially after its fixed windows were replaced with sliding glass. The Isetta seen here is an early fixed-window import to the US; it’s owned by Natalie Black and was restored by Isettas-R-Us in 2020.

For more pictures and information on this or any other vehicle in the Motorcycles exhibit, check out the exhibition book in our store!