Now's Your Chance To Own The World's Most Insane Bubble Car

When the Isetta (the ‘bubble car’) was released in 1953 it was hailed as a revolution. Only 2.29 meters in length, it was smaller than any other mass produced car on the market, making it perfect for Europe’s cramped roads. Over the years the design was licensed to multiple manufacturers, including BMW, but the basic recipe remained the same; a driver and passenger up front, a motorcycle engine in the rear and a canvas roof on top. Now granted, at first glance the roof detail doesn’t seem that important. But it actually served a very useful purpose, it was the point of egress in case of an accident. Yes, really.

So by modern day standards, with its front opening hatch (steering wheel attached), lack of a crumple zones and unconventional escape feature, the Isetta wasn’t exactly safe. In fact, the only car we can think of which was equally as dangerous from the factory was the Chevrolet Corvair. A vehicle that was the main star of the famous book ‘Unsafe at Any Speed’; a detailed body of work which highlighted the murderous tendencies of the rear-engined sports car.

So obviously you’d have to be an absolute madman to combine the two. But it appears that’s exactly what happened when a small ‘shop class’ got together to create their own project car. Built in the 1970s, the class transformed the 13bhp city car into a 150bhp suicide machine.

Nicknamed the Corsetta, the little BMW is reported to have been quite a star in its day, featuring in the 1977 edition of Hot Rod Magazine. Somewhat surprisingly, it looks like the little Corsetta was a well engineered machine… well, kinda. To handle the extra power of that new powerplant, the wheelbase was extended (slightly) and the front and rear axles were significantly widened. Weights were also added to the front of the car to stop it popping a wheelie everywhere, but judging from the video below, it doesn’t look like they were that successful. Then again, you can’t just throw an engine on the back of a microcar and expect it to be stable!

Some serious looking fender flares gave the little bubble car some much needed aggression, and the Starsky and Hutch/The Flash paint scheme reeks of 1970s cool. The interior is equally period correct with ridiculous diamond pleating. We also love the fact that the steering wheel looks ready to impale you at a moment’s notice. Think an old school 911 is dangerous, please…

The car is reported to be a runner, and it’s currently up for sale on eBay. If you like living your life on the edge, this is the car for you!

Source: Bring A Trailer