Microcars and Bubblecars

[Gotbeefboy564]

Few I saw this year

And I don’t know if this counts since it’s custom

 

[TexRex]

And I don’t know if this counts since it’s custom

Nevermind that it appears to be no narrower than the original 81 inches. Stubby, certainly...but not particularly micro.

 

[Populuxe]

The Sáragga collection is going up for auction at RM Sotheby's soon, and in addition to the usual exotic and luxury cars, there are a number of microcars going under the gavel.


1959 Vespa 400


1961 Messerschmitt KR201 Roadster


1962 Trojan 200


1966 Autobianchi Bianchina 'Eden Roc' Cabriolet


1969 Fiat 500 L


1983 Sado 550

 

[niky]

1959 Vespa 400

I suddenly need a Vespa 400 in my life.

 

[TexRex]

 

[Volksauto]

I'll take that 500L before anyone else does.

 

[kikie]

 

[Populuxe]

Thanks to a post from @Carbon_6, I've learned of another microcar. the 1950 Martin Stationette. It is currently being displayed at the Lane Motor Museum in Tennessee.







Here is their description and specs:
"James V. Martin was a prolific inventor who spent years designing cars that he hoped someone would be willing to produce. The Stationette in front of you is his last attempt. Produced by Commonwealth Research Corp. in New York City, NY, this car is an all-wooden monocoque construction. It features no axles, shock absorbers, or propeller shaft which Martin claimed made it cheaper to build. It was designed to fit the needs of the suburban commuter – as popular acceptance would greatly ease traffic congestion. The Stationette was shown at the 1954 World Motor Sports Show and offered as “America’s economy car of the future.” Martin failed to convince anyone to produce this car. Like the two cars he had previously designed (the Martin Aerodynamic and Martin Martinette), the Stationette remained a one-off prototype."

Manufacturer: Martin Development Company
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Drivetrain Configuration: Rear engine, rear wheel drive
Engine: 4 cylinder, Hercules, 65 cubic inch, water cooled
Transmission: 3 speed manual
Top Speed: 60 mph
Years of Production: 1950
Number Produced: 1
Original Cost: Proposed to sell for $995.00

 

[Volksauto]

I wonder how going 60mph with no shocks and axles would feel...

 

[kikie]

I wonder how going 60mph with no shocks and axles would feel...

Very interesting to say the least.

 

[niky]

Obviously, Torchinsky has driven it.


(minor language warning)

What a neat little thing. With bungee cord suspension.

 

[Volksauto]

1916 Smith Flyer C Motorette. The rights were later acquired by Briggs & Stratton, and then by the Automotive Electric Service Corporation which marketed it as the Auto Red Bug as an EV.

1924 Auto Red Bug EV:

 

[Populuxe]

1. I love the fifth-wheel drive concept.
2. In the b/w photo, you can see there is a chain coming off the flywheel leading up to a fan to cool the engine. I'd love to know if that was standard or a modification made by the owner.
3. RM Sotheby's has started watermarking their photos and that sucks.

 

[Volksauto]

1. I love the fifth-wheel drive concept.
2. In the b/w photo, you can see there is a chain coming off the flywheel leading up to a fan to cool the engine. I'd love to know if that was standard or a modification made by the owner.
3. RM Sotheby's has started watermarking their photos and that sucks.

Looking at a few advertisements, it looks like the cooling fan was added as an optional accessory.

 

[Volksauto]

The 2019 Nobe 100 Prototype #1:

Photo of #1 next to #2:

Price (est.):
$28,000

Performance:
- 3WD EV
- 0-60: 5.9 sec.
- Top Speed: 68mph (110kmh)
- Range: 161 miles

 

[Populuxe]

The 2019 Nobe 100 Prototype #1:

I've been following Nobe for a while now. I'm cheering for them to succeed. The world needs more fun cars like this. I especially like the mid-century modern design they've chosen. If I could afford a new car, they would be at the top of my list.

 

[Volksauto]

I've been following Nobe for a while now. I'm cheering for them to succeed. The world needs more fun cars like this. I especially like the mid-century modern design they've chosen. If I could afford a new car, they would be at the top of my list.

They have plans of exporting cars to the United States. I often wonder how the cars will be registered here. I’m assuming they’ll be licensed as a motorcycle/trike and not as a conventional car.

 

[Populuxe]

They have plans of exporting cars to the United States. I often wonder how the cars will be registered here. I’m assuming they’ll be licensed as a motorcycle/trike and not as a conventional car.

Which is fine with me. I have my motorcycle endorsement.

 

[TexRex]

The way the Nobe is styled and constructed, a modern EV powertrain seems like a lie. EV is the future and I really am for it, but I kind of want the Nobe to have a two-stroke twin powering the front wheels. Maybe a triple for a high performance variant.

 

[Volksauto]

The way the Nobe is styled and constructed, a modern EV powertrain seems like a lie. EV is the future and I really am for it, but I kind of want the Nobe to have a two-stroke twin powering the front wheels. Maybe a triple for a high performance variant.

A V-twin would be pretty interesting.

 

[GranTurNismo]

1956 BAG Spatz. Created by Harald Friedrich using designs by 77 year-old ex-Tatra engineer, Dr. Hans Ledwinka based on earlier plans by fiberglass pioneer Egon Brutsch, the BAG Spatz was powered by a single cylinder 191cc Messerschmitt (Fichtel & Sachs) motorcycle engine. The car was presented at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show and Bayerische Autowerke GmbH (BAG) began production but a lawsuit from Egon Brutsch, claiming corruption of his design, and the car’s propensity to burst into flames meant Friedrich sold the rights. Microcar maker Victoria carried on production and in total 589 were built before production ended in May 1957. Apparently 24 remain intact today.

 

[kikie]

1954 Allard Clipper.

 

[Populuxe]

1954 Allard Clipper.

It looks like a Cozy Coupe with a thyroid condition.

 

[kikie]

About the Nobe.

Classified as an auto-cycle in the US that can be driven with a regular driver’s license,

It is on their website.

 

[homeforsummer]

Really like the Nobe too. The other one I've been following with interest is the Microlino, which has probably been mentioned in here before but still seems to be progressing.

The design's clearly Isetta-inspired but less overtly retro than the Nobe - more of a modern take like a current-gen Mini, Beetle, Alpine A110 etc where the overall form is retro but the details are modern. It's progressed quite nicely from the example I had a look around at Geneva a few years back too. I just hope the idea doesn't one day vanish into thin air like so many small-volume cars do eventually.

Wouldn't surprise me if there's a time where not only are EVs the only vehicles allowed in city centres (in Europe at least), but also only small ones like the Nobe and Microlino. Would be like going back to the city centres of the 1950s.

 

[Populuxe]

This was created by Asylum Models and Effects for a Bird's Eye advertisement. It uses a go cart chassis, VW Beetle headlights and a Honda engine and could travel up to 60mph.

 

[Volksauto]

This was created by Asylum Models and Effects for a Bird's Eye advertisement. It uses a go cart chassis, VW Beetle headlights and a Honda engine and could travel up to 60mph.

60 in that would be terrifying.

 

[TexRex]

It's like a smaller, less comfortable and greener Mini Outspan Orange.

A few of these were built to promote the South African orange producer Outspan, they're based on a Mini, and the peel is structural.

 

[Populuxe]

Let's not forget that a lot of these little cars were very bad automobiles. But possibly none where quite as bad as the 1951 Hoffman.

 

[Centroid]

I quite like this Electric city car from China. It seems reasonable good value for money too.