The BMW Isetta This 1957 BMW Isetta was previously owned by Duane Saunders, a Kansas State graduate, U.S. Army colonel, clinical physical therapist, author, inventor, and car enthusiast. Duane is the author of The Truth Is Good Enough, a book about his eclectic life and experiences. His 1957 BMW Isetta is a beautifully restored classic and is featured in K-State purple and silver. This isn’t an original color, but it was painted in recognition of his alma mater. The car was in terrible condition when found, but meticulous restoration has brought it back to near-perfect condition. The BMW Isetta is an Italian-designed vehicle that’s considered a “micro car.” Isetta was originally produced by Iso of Italy, an independent entity that was licensed to automobile manufacturers in a number of different companies and countries worldwide. It was eventually picked up by BMW as a small European car, but with some tweaks and revisions. In 1955 it was unveiled as a BMW with a new 247-cc one-cylinder motorcycle engine. The power plant produced a total of 13 horsepower. For 1956, the Isetta was revised in response to regulations in Germany, which pushed them to add a 300-cc engine (it remained a one-cylinder). The car was legally drivable with only a motorcycle license, which was part of the appeal of micro cars in Europe in the 50s and 60s. Because it only has a single front door, the sunroof was added, not only for driving but as an emergency exit in the event of a front-end collision. The steering wheel is actually attached to the front door as well (for easier access to the driver’s seat), so it hinges and comes out as the door opens. This is not a 3-wheel car (with a few exceptions). It actually has four wheels, but the two in the rear are significantly closer than those the front. The engine is located on the passenger side, in a small compartment toward the rear. The total weight of the Isetta is almost 770 pounds, and it’s 89 inches in length, making it exceptionally maneuverable (because extremely small). The gear shifter is on the left-side wall, and the turn signal is on the right side of the steering column. Amazingly, the Isetta also has a heater (which uses a single, floor-mounted vent).