Microcars and Bubblecars

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BMW Isettas towing travel trailers





Here are some Isettas on a trailer.
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1968-1971 Subaru 360 Young SS, a souped-up variant of the Subaru 360, and one of the earliest performance-oriented kei cars. It weighed 410 and was powered by a 423cc inline-two-cylinder making 38hp. The Young SS is sort of like the Japanese version of the Abarth Fiat 500 695 SS.




It even featured in both Gran Turismo 2 and Enthusia.



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Heads-up time: The correct title for the SPORTS version of the Subaru 360 is just Subaru Young SS - they left the "360" out for that variant. The red vehicle pictured is not a Young SS, as the fender mirrors and wheel trims are incorrect. It appears to be Young "S" version (no sporty motor).
The Young SS did not have a 423cc engine - that was the short-lived Japanese export version called the Subaru 450 or Maia. The Young SS had a 356cc motor, with dual Mikuni-Solex BS32S carbs and chromed cylinders. Output was 36hp, i.e.; 100 bhp per litre - in 1968. They were only made for 10 months. Weight was 425kg.

Frisky Sprint prototype, never went into production (492cc Excelsior three-cylinder two-stroke engine)
Not so - THAT red car is the Lightburn Zeta Sports, only 49 made - in South Australia. The proof is in the bonnet badge, but more so in the South Australian numberplate. there was an influence from the Frisky Sprint - correct there! Powered by a Sachs 498cc motor. Very short-lived!
 
I know a lot of cars have a face but I think this one takes it too far. Ladies and gentlemen, I present the Kandi K22:-

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Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. It's the most popular EV in China. 1.2 million are expected to be sold in 2022. It costs approximately $4500/£3306/€3925, will do 62 mph/100 kph and has a range of 100 miles/161 kms. There's even a convertible.
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I love these Topolinos. The scariest "street car" (it was pushing the limits) I've ever driven was a buddy's...I want to say it was a '52...wagon variant. It was a mostly unmodified shell with a scratch built chassis using heavily modified Mustang II suspension to keep the tires under the standard fenders and a 289 stroked to 347 and easily cranking out over 300hp. It was writing checks that the 14" tires couldn't cash. It was also hot because the cowl vents were gone and the door windows were one-piece plexiglass; only the rear side windows over the rear wheels had a small sliding bit built into the plexiglass.
 
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