isoisetta

When Mr. Rivolta started to examine the concept of a citycar in the early fifties he met Ing. Preti. Preti had asked and received the patent on a design for such a car in 1950, an egg shaped vehicle with the door at the front and the engine at the rear. The first time they met Preti used a wooden"watermelon"to explain his ideas. Together with other young technicians they started to work on the first prototype in 1952 and in the summer of that year Iso applied for a patent on the design and the Isetta was born. First prototypes had one wheel at the rear but this made the car dangerous so they placed two wheels 19 inches apart from each other After some work on steering and suspension the car went into production.

Elegant and beautiful. You could get the Isetta in any color as long as it was white.

In 1954 the Dutch carmagazine Motorkampioen tested the Isetta and were very pleased with it. They called the article"the egg and us".

-more than enough room for two

-easy, save and fun to drive

-beautiful

-very well finished

-a real car

Getting in and out of an Isetta was quite easy as the Dutch testdriver demonstrates. People who saw the car for the first time were very surprised, and amused to see that the door was at the front of the car.

A universal joint allows the steering wheel to move away from the driver.

Have a look inside the Isetta factory!

The Isetta engine was a 236 cc two stroke unit which delivered 9.5 hp at 4500 rpm and a 4-speed gearbox. It gave the car a topspeed of 70 kph. It started its life as a motorcycle engine with 198 cc, 1 cylinder and 2 pistons. It was enlarged to decrease vibration and increase power.

The first prototype had one wheel at the back but it proved to make to car unstable. Production Isetta's had two rearwheels. The engine was placed on three rubber mounts to prevent vibration problems.

In order to get the Isetta the publicity needed to sell it Renzo Rivolta decided to enter four cars in the Mille Miglia. The cars they used were normal production cars, only the engines were changed a little. Not only did all cars finish, they also won (places 1-2-3-4) the Index of Performance class.

Besides the Isetta Iso also built the Isocarro. A little truck for delivering goods in and around the city. It was advertised as the ideal solution for small load transportation. Max load 400kg.

80% of the parts were identical to those of the Isetta. The Isetta had a chain transmission and the Carro a driveshaft because it was longer. Its rear suspension was also different because the wheels were further apart than the 19 inches of the Isetta and a differential was needed.

These drawings from a German Iso Isetta brochure might give you the idea that they were selling a toy! It was a shame that the Italians saw it like that, BMW didn't and some say it saved their company.

In 1954 Renzo Rivolta received a telegram from BMW. They wanted to produce the Isetta under their name in Germany. This was the deal which could save the car and the Iso factory because sales ware never that good in Italy and Fiat was also working on their own little car. He went to Germany and agreed to supply BMW with the drawings, license, tools etc. to built the Isetta. They paid a large sum up front and a royalty for each car produced.

Later other licenses were sold to factories in Belgium, Spain, England, France and even Brazil. After 1000/1500 cars production ceased at the end of 1954 and all remaining tools and a large amount of parts were shipped to Germany.

Pictures of an Isetta built in Spain. Iso was known in Spain because of its motorcycles and lightweight transport vehicles which were built in the Iso factories in Madrid (and Barcelona). This example in in very fine condition and is completely original. Not many remain. Around 1000 Isettas were built including the Isetta utility vehicles.

	This was a "Publicacion Tecnica" by: Iso Motor Italia S.A. Plaza de Agueda Diez 5 Madrid - Spain
Front suspension and steering.	Rear suspension. NR. 5 is the chain.
Up: The chassis of the Spanish Isetta.	The cylinder and head of the Isetta two stroke two piston engine

This was a "Publicacion Tecnica" by:

Iso Motor Italia S.A.

Plaza de Agueda Diez 5

Madrid - Spain

Front suspension and steering.

Rear suspension. NR. 5 is the chain.

Up: The chassis of the Spanish Isetta.

The cylinder and head of the Isetta two stroke two piston engine

In France the Isetta was built by Velam and called the Velam Isetta. It had the 236cc 1 cylinder two piston engine with 10hp and a 4-speed gearbox. Its price was 300.000 F. In 1957 Velam built a special record car. It broke seven international speed endurance records.

An other country were the Isetta was produced was Brazil. It was produced by the Romi family and they called it the Romi-Isetta. Production started in 1958. It was a loved car but never sold it in large numbers.

On this picture you can see the Romi family ,and Isetta, inside their factory.