DAVID BROWER
Elio Addict
'The Isetta was not popular in the UK until a three-wheeled version was introduced. Although three-wheelers were more prone to rolling-over,[citation needed] there was a financial advantage; they could evade automobile legislation and taxation by being classed as three-wheeled motorcycles, and could be driven with a motorcycle licence.' - Isetta Wikipedia.
MSG Board Snopes - 'Well, if it only had three wheels, it wouldn't have had a reverse gear at all.' - 'BMW also produce some 3-wheel versions of the Isetta at their Brighton, England assembly plant, but they were all registered and licensed as motorcycles and had no reverse gear in their transmissions.'
BMW SUPPLIED THE SAME ENGINE & TRANSMISSION FOR THE BRIGHTON BUILT CARS THAT THEY USED IN THEIR OWN ISETTAS .
THE THREE WHEELER HAS A MUCH LONGER DRIVESHAFT & DIFFERENT CHAIN CASE
BUT THE MOTOR & TRANSMISSION WERE THE SAME .
AS FOR THE STABILITY ISSUE , THAT WAS THE RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION , MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN !
THE ISETTA HAD SOME REMARKABLE ENGINEERING . THE MOTOR WAS HUNG OUTSIDE THE CHASSIS
ON THE RIGHT SIDE TO COUNTERBALANCE THE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVER .
THIS WORKED BEAUTIFULLY FOR A 750 POUND CAR BUT WHEN THEY PLACED THE DRIVER IN FRONT
OF THE MOTOR , THE WHOLE THING WAS OFF BALANCE .
HAVING THE 3 WHEELED VERSION TO GO WITH IT MADE FOR THE WORST ISETTA POSSIBLE .
IT WAS SO BAD THAT THEY BOLTED A 60 POUND CAST IRON WEIGHT TO THE CHASSIS
ON THE LEFT SIDE JUST TO KEEP IT FROM DRIVING IN CIRCLES .
SOME OWNERS REMOVED THE WEIGHT , NOT UNDERSTANDING IT's PURPOSE .
I AM QUITE THANKFUL THAT BMW SAW FIT TO SEND SOME OF THE VERY BEST ISETTAS
TO AMERICA . I HAVE BEEN DRIVING & ENJOYING MICROCARS FOR OVER 30 YEARS NOW
AND IT IS ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE .
HERE IS MY MESSERSCHMITT AMONG THE SLINGSHOTS AT THE CARS & COFFEE THIS MORNING .
IF ONLY THEY WERE ELIOS .....................
MSG Board Snopes - 'Well, if it only had three wheels, it wouldn't have had a reverse gear at all.' - 'BMW also produce some 3-wheel versions of the Isetta at their Brighton, England assembly plant, but they were all registered and licensed as motorcycles and had no reverse gear in their transmissions.'
BMW SUPPLIED THE SAME ENGINE & TRANSMISSION FOR THE BRIGHTON BUILT CARS THAT THEY USED IN THEIR OWN ISETTAS .
THE THREE WHEELER HAS A MUCH LONGER DRIVESHAFT & DIFFERENT CHAIN CASE
BUT THE MOTOR & TRANSMISSION WERE THE SAME .
AS FOR THE STABILITY ISSUE , THAT WAS THE RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION , MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN !
THE ISETTA HAD SOME REMARKABLE ENGINEERING . THE MOTOR WAS HUNG OUTSIDE THE CHASSIS
ON THE RIGHT SIDE TO COUNTERBALANCE THE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVER .
THIS WORKED BEAUTIFULLY FOR A 750 POUND CAR BUT WHEN THEY PLACED THE DRIVER IN FRONT
OF THE MOTOR , THE WHOLE THING WAS OFF BALANCE .
HAVING THE 3 WHEELED VERSION TO GO WITH IT MADE FOR THE WORST ISETTA POSSIBLE .
IT WAS SO BAD THAT THEY BOLTED A 60 POUND CAST IRON WEIGHT TO THE CHASSIS
ON THE LEFT SIDE JUST TO KEEP IT FROM DRIVING IN CIRCLES .
SOME OWNERS REMOVED THE WEIGHT , NOT UNDERSTANDING IT's PURPOSE .
I AM QUITE THANKFUL THAT BMW SAW FIT TO SEND SOME OF THE VERY BEST ISETTAS
TO AMERICA . I HAVE BEEN DRIVING & ENJOYING MICROCARS FOR OVER 30 YEARS NOW
AND IT IS ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE .
HERE IS MY MESSERSCHMITT AMONG THE SLINGSHOTS AT THE CARS & COFFEE THIS MORNING .
IF ONLY THEY WERE ELIOS .....................
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