• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

BUBBLE CARS

I remember those cars, they had a little lever on the floor that you pushed forward to drive and pull back for reverse.I think they were taken over by Volvo.
 
Yes the Daf was the forerunner of the so called new infinately variable transmissions (CVT) on Nissan Maurano and new Dodge Calliber. The new vehicles don't have rubber belts though; they have a linked tapered steel one. It's not off topic.
Regards.
 
What about the Goggomobile.Anyone heard of or have a photo of one of these as I used to have one in prehistoric times!!!!
 
Yup,that's the one Mike.Cheers,BobS.Different colour to what mine was though.It was red but I think the person who had it before me had it repainted.
 
You know, if it was not for the major highways that we now drive on this smaller form of transportation would still be valid and is so in the cities. Modern small engines are possibly more reliable than in the old days. Small vehicles are making a come back vis. Smart and others I can't think of. But they have to be able to bridge the gap for uasability in city and highway. Mindfull of gas prices, we recently downsized to a modern small car that would give us better milage and still allow comfortable use for longer distance travel. Most cars in North America are way oversized for the majority of use. I find though that the modern small car like the Accent and Yaris with 11/2 liter engines don't get much better milage than the old Morris Minor 1000 and Austin A35 and they presumably are lighter.
 
Last edited:
I have a friend who has just bought a Mogan for racing its lovely a metalic blue................he's 68!
 
My Dad didn't want me to have a scooter and suggested a bubble car which was so un cool then but I wished I had listened to him when the winter came and I broke my collar bone.

I hope this link works for you showing some more bubble cars.

You can make the picture turn

https://www.panoramas.dk-Heinkel
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yes in the 60s had both the Heinkle and the Issetta heinkle was a cracker
I was 11 stone my mate was 14 stone and my dad was 15 stone it took us all over the place 175cc turn on a tanner barmouth and back two of us 10 bob 60 miles an Hour flat out used to rallY with the morris comercial apprentices club all nighters great fun tried it with the Isetta no good at all started to drive off once and changed gear all I got was revs my mate had lifted the tail off the ground. GREAT DAYS
 
It was 1960 that I bought a BMW Isetta, super little car, Door opened to the front
and left hand drive, beauty was, by blanking off the reverse gear, you could drive these cars on a motor cycle licence, This is how I started, and after 9 months driving experience, I passed my full car driving test, I removed the blanking plate on the way to the test, so I had my first try at reversing on the test itself. They were quite strong little cars as well, as I found out when I lost control on icy roads, hit a car coming in the opposite direction, which flipped me over and I rolled over and over for some distance down the Chester road landed right way up and got out completely unharmed.
Wish I had that car now, must be worth a fortune.
 
Hi

Worth a fortune today. Ahead of their time in away
in those day's petrol and Parking were plentyful.
Never really developed beyond their intial concept
designs. Sad in away

Mike Jenks
 
We had a Meschasmidt (sorry about the spelling) in 1959, with a perpex hood that you had to lift over to get in and out. Worth a lot of money now in good condition. We went all over the place in that little car until the hood got cracked.
Sheri
 
:) My teacher Mrs Green had a Bubble car and gave me a lift to a swimming gala at Woodcock street baths. I hated it. The lorry wheels were bigger than the car. Jean. :redface:
 
More on my Isetta, I did tend to feel vunerable in it when amongst large lorrys, because they could not see my little car. It was so light as well, I could take hold of a bumper rail, they were on each side to protect the front opening door, and lift the car up to inspect the underside. It used to do 60 miles to the gallon and reach 60 mph max. We toured Devon one summer holiday, and even drove up to see Blackpool Lights in it. I know I have a photo some where, will sort it out and post it.
 
Hi, Great pictures, Our friends had one of these Heinkels, unlike the Isetta, the Heinkel had a bit of a foot well behind the front seats and I remember going out Ten Pin Bowling with them, perched on the top of the shelf at the back, can you imagine 4 people in an Heinkel.
 
Re: Apollo

bmw bubble cars (the only bmw i could afford) i had 3 of them one was a 600cc.it had 4 wheels.me and my bro took the body off and made a go kart from the running gear.i used the others to make one good 300cc for the road.at the time i worked for dunlop.and one night when i finished work,i found my car on the back of a trailer.and had to get help to get it off, i told a girl i met in the sports club that i would give her a lift home one saturday,when she saw my car she told me to sod off. lol great times hey folks all the best
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top