See A BMW Isetta With Its Clothes Off

"Aaron Vick Starnes" (aaronstarnes) 07/24/2015 at 13:20 • Filed to: Isetta, BMW, naked

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The following article contains graphic images of a 1957 BMW Isetta in the buff and is not for the faint of heart. But if you’re into this sort of thing then send the kids to the other room and draw the curtains because it’s about to get weird.

Last week a truck pulling a large trailer pulled into the drive of the shop I work at and backed up to one of our large overhead doors. It is always exciting when we get a drop off because it means a new and potentially exciting car to play with. I set down whatever project I was working on to lend a hand unloading the new mystery car. The back of the trailer opened up and I wasn’t quite ready for what I saw...

It was the bare, unashamed chassis of our pet Isetta. The chassis is freshly restored by an Isetta specialist. Then it was brought to us to be reunited with the body. I work at a shop that does all sorts of restoration and customization work. Every once in awhile I see something that is truly unique and unlike anything I’ve seen before.

This pedal box and steering box combination for example has a big worm gear inside it to actuate that steering arm on the left.

Notice the adorable little steering damper in the lower right of the photo above. The Isetta slows its roll with tiny hydraulic drum brakes which are tucked in the wheel on the other side of that shock/spring tower. There is one on each front corner plus one in the back to brake both wheels simultaneously.

Speaking of the rear wheels, just take a look at the derriere of this little car. That cylinder along the top between the mud guards is the air filter box. You can see the carburetor, a Bing, up in the top right. And right in the middle you can see the shock mounts and the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which transfers power from the transmission to the rear wheels.

How does that power get from the transmission to the chain case? Glad you asked, it comes via this tiny drive shaft with these crazy donut style universal joints. These U-joints are reminiscent of those found under many vintage Ferraris. Does that make this a performance car?

Um, not really... at all. This fly weight automobile was equipped with an air-cooled 297cc single cylinder overhead valve engine. Notice the separate 4 speed gearbox that is equipped with reverse so you don’t have to get out and push. That black shroud around the cylinder serves to channel air over the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . In the winter the warm air can be diverted into the cabin to keep occupants, two at most, nice and toasty.

That aforementioned toasty air is propelled by this fan. The dome in the middle brings to mind t he front end of a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Here’s a shot of the chassis and body about to be reunited. I was struck by how tidy and well sorted the chassis components are. It’s a funny little car but there is some serious engineering here. For example this car came with tempered glass like a modern car. That doesn’t sound that interesting until one considers that this was an economy car and that practically all domestic cars from this period were running !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

All good things must come to an end and so must this little strip tease. I hope it was entertaining and informative. When I saw the bare chassis for the first time I knew I had to share it. Happy Friday!

2 years ago Aaron Vick Starnes quit his well paying bank job to pursue inevitable poverty as an automotive writer. He has !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in automotive restoration, and works at a shop restoring and customizing cars. Follow him on Twitter !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and check out his !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Brian Silvestro > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:30

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This is good oppo

Great lead image

CalzoneGolem > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:31

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Is this the blue soap on these white walls or is that some sort of blue design?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:32

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I want this. not the body, just this.

Aaron Vick Starnes > CalzoneGolem 07/24/2015 at 13:35

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I always wonder that. Anytime you get new whitewall, or white letter tires, there’s a blue residue. It is probably the mold release agent from the tire factory.

CalzoneGolem > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:42

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It looks like it is put on there to keep the white from fading. Anyways it looks really beautiful on this little white wall.

daender > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:44

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I’d like to see anyone with a VW try to tuck the wheels in as close together as an Isetta does.

RealRoadNews > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:47

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Aren’t these called guibos?

Derel1cte > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:48

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For some reason I always thought the Isetta was a 3 wheeler. Now I know better.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:51

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I almost can’t believe that this isn’t a Torch post. This is good oppo.

disadvantage > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:53

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OH DEAR! What if a kid were to see this?!

Aaron Vick Starnes > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/24/2015 at 13:53

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Torchinsky has chops, I’m humbled and flattered by the comparison.

Aaron Vick Starnes > disadvantage 07/24/2015 at 13:54

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LOL! Winner.

AfromanGTO > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:56

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Why wasn’t there a NSFW disclaimer in the title? You’re going to get people in trouble!

Bret > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 13:57

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Excellent post! I’ve always like Isettas, now I like them even more.

citizennick > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:00

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damn she’s got some nice knockers

Chasaboo > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:09

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Wow that is gorgeous. I wish there were more great small cars in America, crazy off the wall ones as well.

BigGatorChris > RealRoadNews 07/24/2015 at 14:20

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Most fun word in any language.

Sir HoonsAlot > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:20

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lol this is amazing

Takuro Spirit > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:23

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Grounded to the Ground

Takuro Spirit > CalzoneGolem 07/24/2015 at 14:25

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I always tell the techs in the shop they ordered the wrong tires. “THE CUSTOMER WANTED WHITE LETTERS, NOT BLUE LETTERS!!!!”

alan > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:25

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is there even a suspension here?

nealsoad > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:25

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All those nicely exposed bits on a topless frame.

Do you think she does parties?

hotCarl > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:25

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It’s been my understanding that the blue coating is there to protect the white walls from getting black scuffs from the tires being stacked for shipping and storage. It's supposedly water soluble, but if it's been on the tire for a long like, you may have to use an SOS pad to remove it.

drdude > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:25

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Where did you get the neon letters for that? font? or how did you make them?

rUDy Flyer 41 > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:26

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Going strictly on the cleanliness of the garage, this is 10000% the type of shop I’d trust something like this (or any vehicle) with.

The Old Man from Scene 24 > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:26

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I’m willing to bet that the chassis didn’t look this good when it left the factory,

drdude > CalzoneGolem 07/24/2015 at 14:27

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its a protective film so the whitewalls dont get dirty when they’re stacked and shipped. almost all whitewall tires have them.. remember the back of the tire is black...

alan > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:28

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what i find most interesting is the Isetta is body on frame and not unit body.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:31

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That chassis looks like a cross between a go-kart chassis and an ATV with what appears to be a solid rear axle mounted on a swing arm. Awesome post and great pictures.

jimz > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:32

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Notice the adorable little steering dampener

“Damper.” As in “damps oscillations.” It doesn’t make them moist.

move-over-peasant-I-have-an-M5-in-the-shop > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:33

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You were right, it did get weird in here.

Kyle Critchnau > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:53

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How’s the shoebox build coming? Noticed the blog hasn’t been updated in a while.

eigen > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 14:56

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I am trying to think through a frame design right now and this was incredibly helpful. If anyone has any other frame pron they want to share, please do.

CalzoneGolem > Takuro Spirit 07/24/2015 at 15:03

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And it NEVER STOPS BEING FUNNY!

Takuro Spirit > CalzoneGolem 07/24/2015 at 15:07

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Neither does asking “Ya done yet?? Customer’s here to pick up!” when half the car is spread across the bay and the engine/dash/flux capacitor is lying on the floor.

Grant Leavitt > hotCarl 07/24/2015 at 15:13

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That would make sense. Raw Sheet Aluminum suppliers usually put a blue film on aluminum sheets so the machines that bend and cut them don’t scratch the metal. So I would think this would be similar.

CalzoneGolem > Takuro Spirit 07/24/2015 at 15:14

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Those flux capacitors are a bitch and a half to get out to.

DatBomb > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 15:27

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$60k . Would you?

Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves* > eigen 07/24/2015 at 15:30

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Dymaxion?

Mike_Smith > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 15:52

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I know what this is. This is an espresso machine. No, wait ...it’s a snow cone maker. ...is it a water heater?

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Brian Silvestro 07/24/2015 at 15:56

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I think they were channeling their inner Torchinsky

1972Honda600 > citizennick 07/24/2015 at 16:00

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they knocked only before the tuned up...

1972Honda600 > jimz 07/24/2015 at 16:01

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#moist

1972Honda600 > Mike_Smith 07/24/2015 at 16:01

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#austriaisnotgermany

1972Honda600 > Derel1cte 07/24/2015 at 16:04

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isn’t the rear wheelset not quite centered vs the front?

eigen > Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves* 07/24/2015 at 16:10

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Yes.

F50F60 > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 16:15

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WOW THAT IS A GIANT TURBO !! Like low pressure tubo, 75 psi??

Miley the Cirrus > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/24/2015 at 16:24

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I clicked because I thought it was Torch. The lead image really got me.

iggysaab9 > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 16:35

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....Want to see an Isetta in drag?

protodad > CalzoneGolem 07/24/2015 at 16:43

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It is a protectant for the whitewall. Most tire places scrub it off for you but if it is going to sit for a while you just leave it in place. Getting dirt off white walls is no easy task. Coker tires come wrapped in plastic, making it damn near impossible to keep that 4” whitewall clean while mounting.

Mike_Smith > 1972Honda600 07/24/2015 at 17:23

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Well aware of that, was joking about the gadgety-looking nature of the naked Isetta, not any nationalist issues.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 19:20

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you forgot the NSFW tag.

Aaron Vick Starnes > iggysaab9 07/24/2015 at 20:29

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I see what you did there.

Aaron Vick Starnes > DatBomb 07/24/2015 at 20:30

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Would I restore it?

Aaron Vick Starnes > jimz 07/24/2015 at 20:33

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If it isn’t a dampener then why am I all wet?

Aaron Vick Starnes > Kyle Critchnau 07/24/2015 at 20:39

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Well, thanks for reading the blog. The last entry was the floor pan install. I’m working on a number of things simultaneously, interior trim, parking brake, sound deadening, etc. What I’m really excited about is my steering wheel restoration. I cut up the old crusty wheel and made a new ring for it. Keep an eye out for the blog post and thanks again for reading me.

Aaron Vick Starnes > rUDy Flyer 41 07/24/2015 at 20:41

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We have a full time lady that takes care of the shop. This arrangement lets the shop guys get on with their job and the customer doesn’t have to pay a mechanic to push a broom.

Aaron Vick Starnes > alan 07/24/2015 at 20:43

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There is a coil spring hiding in there.

Aaron Vick Starnes > Derel1cte 07/24/2015 at 20:45

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I think there were three wheel versions. I’m definitely not an Isetta expert.

Aaron Vick Starnes > RealRoadNews 07/24/2015 at 20:46

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The google says so. That’s news to me.

Aaron Vick Starnes > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 07/24/2015 at 20:54

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The rear end is supported by what looks like a leaf spring cut in half with the thick ends bolted to the frame and the other end at the axle. I believe it’s called quarter elliptical suspension.

Aaron Vick Starnes > drdude 07/24/2015 at 20:57

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I did it in Photoshop. I found a sign I wanted and used the quick select tool then copy and paste onto my background.

SamfaKenessal > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 21:19

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I’ll probably have to concede someday as this usage overtakes us, but for now, it’s still a damper, not a “dampener.” Damper is a mechanical component. Dampener is something or someone that brings the mood down. But great story, nonetheless.

Aaron Vick Starnes > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 21:46

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Oh, would I buy? No. I do really like the color scheme though. Not when I could have this for half the price.

MM54 > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 21:57

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I am absolutely in love with the Isetta so this was an AWESOME post - thank you! I know who to talk to some day when I get one as a project/drive-to-work.

KremerK3 > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/24/2015 at 22:28

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Excellent! What an ingenious design, replace engine with electric and make them mandatory for all earth’s citizens. Shit seems like someone already thought of that.

lonestranger > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/25/2015 at 00:39

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I’m fairly certain that it’s applied over the white in order to protect it until installation/delivery, similar to how shiny stainless steel items often have protective blue plastic film.

lonestranger > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/25/2015 at 00:54

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Re: tempered glass vs. laminated glass.

I don’t know if the average 1957 American car uses tempered or non-tempered for its side & rear glass, but I doubt that any car, past or present, uses a tempered glass windshield.

Tempered glass is used in modern cars’ side & rear windows because it doesn’t create sharp shards when it breaks. The downside is that the entire pane shatters into many tiny pieces if it is compromised. That’s why windshields are laminated and not tempered. If they were tempered, one single rock chip would shatter the entire windshield. The lamination makes up for that by keeping the shards from flying in the faces if the occupants.

Dpanzerman > iggysaab9 07/25/2015 at 01:21

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THIS. This needs to be built immediately.

micklich£michael > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/25/2015 at 09:21

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Geebo joint. Chocolate donuts from hell. Try installing one on your back with a beer box as a creeper in the gravel. With sixteen hose clamps for a compression tool.

spectre6000 > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/25/2015 at 10:11

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Laminated glass was a US market thing. European markets all required Tempered glass.

IDM3 > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/25/2015 at 19:09

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HEY! There may be children watching this! Have you no shame?

torque > Derel1cte 07/25/2015 at 20:19

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4 wheeled version (in Germany) was classified as a motorcycle and therefore had low taxes. England especially refused to make any such considerations for beautify tiny run-a-bouts like this, so a 3 wheeled version was created and made available in such makets

http://www.rmauctions.com/bw13/the-bruce…

torque > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/25/2015 at 20:19

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yep, taxes and stuff...

http://www.rmauctions.com/bw13/the-bruce…

alan > Aaron Vick Starnes 07/27/2015 at 09:19

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one really tiny one!