Microcar

In Japan, Kei cars are given tax benefits, given that the car's engine size and external dimensions are kept under strict limits. In order to make optimal use of the limited dimensions, the cars are built as square as possible, which means that they can never win any beauty contests.

The Vespa that the Italians were not allowed to buy

Posted 14/05/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

vespa 400 — Vespa 400 logo. Photo: S_Kohl (Depositphotos.com).

Vespa's first and only car never went on sale in Italy. The Agnelli family, who owned Fiat, stuck sticks in the wheels not to get a challenger for their Fiat 500.

In the 1950s, several microcars appeared. We have previously written about Berkeley, Isetta, Frisky, Goliath, lloyd and Norwegian Troll, brands that today are unknown to many. One brand I really like is Vespa. Their micro car was probably one of the best.

photo sunday — Vespa 400 from a French car event. Rims in beige color were standard.

After the war, many people dreamed of their own car, but few could afford it. It created a market for microcars and new car brands appeared. But even if the demand was there, few succeeded. Vespa had a solid foothold in Europe with its scooters. At the same time, Piaggio, which owned Vespa, had spent 5 years developing and testing a microcar which they chose to produce in one of Piaggio's French factories.

It was no coincidence that the production of the Vespa 400 was established outside the borders of Italy. When the car was ready for production, it would have gone on sale at the same time as the new Fiat 500. I do not know what relationship Piaggio and Fiat had, but the Agnelli family and Fiat in any case made sure that Piaggio did not dare to either produce or sell their new model in Italy.

When you study the Vespa 400, you find characteristics of the same type that made the scooters popular. Everything is simple, user-friendly and well constructed. Self-supporting body with a stern-mounted 400cc 14hp powertrain, electric start, 3 forward and one reverse gears, 2 front seats and a rear bench suitable for 2 toddlers only. The front (the "grill") can be pulled out like a drawer to access the battery. An interesting detail is the mechanism that mixes in 2-stroke oil from a separate oil container after filling up with petrol. The solution should be so simple that "even mother can do it" - as they said at the time.

Vespa 400 engine compartment. A crank under the oil tank on the right pumps 2-stroke oil into the tank on the left.

Microcars such as the Vespa have a distinctly feminine feel. It is not inconceivable that it was mother who used the car for her daily chores, while father perhaps drove a Mobylette or Vespa scooter to work? It was hardly common for southern European families to have 2 cars in the 1950s. Today, Vespa cars appear as sympathetic features at car meets. I can tell otherwise that the Vespa engine runs warm and subdued under the bonnet, and provides enough power to follow the traffic in French suburbs.

Facts about the Vespa 400

Place of production
ACMA – Ateliers de construction de motocycles et d'autombiles, Fourchambault, France. Today holds Fiat Powertrain Technologies France to the premises.

Production time
1957- 1961

Quantity produced
Between 30 and 000 cars

Price today
€10.000 – €30.000 based on 24 cars for sale on car exchanges worldwide. Cars under €10.000 are restoration projects.

Afterword
It is quite clear that the Vespa would have been a competitor – not only to the Fiat 500 – but also to the Autobianchi Bianchina Transformable which shared a platform with the Fiat. The Fiat 500 was produced right up until 1975 and the Bianchina until 1970, while the production of the Vespa stopped in 1961, well over a year after the Agnelli family had taken control of Piaggio.

See

Ma Vespa 400 – everything about this model

A small Mazda rolls onto the market

Posted 31/01/2022 by Anders de Lange

Here a very small car from 1960 which was the start of a success story. The very first passenger car from Mazda was equipped with a "stretch engine", but was a good start for the factory.

Mazda's first passenger car

When Mazda came to Norway in the early 1960s, it was perceived by most as a completely new brand. But this factory, located in Hiroshima, Japan, can trace its history all the way back to 1920. In the beginning, various industrial products were produced. Production of vehicles started with motorcycles around 1930, and the first cars came as light trucks a few years later. Passenger cars in series production started in 1960 with the small R-360. Later came the models 1500 and 1800 which were some beautiful models with a design from Bertone. Mazda started out as one of the first car manufacturers with wankel engines in their cars. The first model was a sports car with a nice design. Sales of Mazda in Norway started in 1967. Mazda quickly reached the top of sales with the models 818, 616 and 929. Reliable cars at a good price appealed to Norwegian car buyers. Since then, Mazda has been known for its family cars.

Mazda R-360 Coupe

This little Japanese friend never came to Norway as far as we know. But it is a symbol of how the car manufacturers tried to adapt to reality after peace came in 1945. Most things were missing, both roads, petrol and cars. The solutions that the car manufacturers came up with were simple and cheap cars that were cheap to run. Mazda started the production of large trucks and the factory was established as a car manufacturer. Already in 1960, as previously mentioned, the small 360 model arrived. It was a 2-door coupe that became very popular at home in Japan. In Japan there was a separate tax class for cars with engines smaller than 360 ccm. Most Japanese car manufacturers delivered small cars in this class, but Mazda became one of the market leaders. Mazda further developed the model series with a small 4-seater model. The R-360 model disappeared in 1966.

Data Mazda R-360

Length 298 cm,
width 129 cm
height 129 cm.
Top speed 80 km/h.
Engine 366 ccm / 16 hp.

See

mazda 1500 — Mazda 1500 – Japanese with European style

Exciting car history from Anders de Lange's archives

BMW Isetta 300

Posted 30/01/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

BMW's legendary "bubble car" had a front door, a fabric roof that could be opened and a bench where two people could sit quite comfortably. If you were to bring luggage with you, you attached it to an external luggage rack. With a length of only 2,3 metres, what you can take with you is limited, but still impressively well packed - and very stylish.

BMW's roots

The Isetta was developed and put into production by the Italian company ISO Rivolta, which later built large, beautiful sports cars such as Iso Rivolta and Iso Grifo and more. One would think that the Isetta would be successful on the Italian market in the early 50s, but it didn't happen. Iso therefore offered license production with other car manufacturers. One of several companies that started license production of the ingenious car concept was BMW. In the 50s, the BMW plant made a loss. The large models 501, 502, 503 and 507 were great cars, but expensive to produce, and priced far too high for the market. The Isetta saved BMW from bankruptcy. It also paved the way for models that many still remember and associate with BMW.

Got a BMW touch

When BMW took on the license production of the Iso Isetta, they made several moves in the powertrain. They put in a new 250 engine from their own motorcycle production and redesigned the transmission/cardan. The result was less internal noise and less vibration. The three-wheeled BMW Isetta 250 was a success on the domestic market. One factor that contributed to the success was that the cars could be registered as motorcycles and driven without a driving licence.

Isetta 300

The car in the pictures is a 1961 BMW Isetta 300. It was recently spotted in Fulham, London. What we know about the car is that it was sold at auction in 2017 through Classic Car Auctions - a place for the sale of finer classic cars. The car has been completely rebuilt with a top score for condition. The Isetta 300 got a 300 cubic meter engine with slightly more horses - but with the same top speed as the Isetta 250. We are talking about 13 HP and a top speed of 85 km/h. The car pictured has the steering wheel on the left. BMW had its own assembly plant in England where they produced right-hand drive cars. On these cars, the door opens to the right, instead of the left. The disadvantage of right-hand drive cars was that the driver then sat on the same side as the engine. When the car weighs only 340 kg and has 3 wheels, weight distribution is important for stability. The Isetta 300 could also be delivered in a 4-wheel version. In later models – 400 and 600 – 4-wheel drive became standard. Note that the rear windows on the Isetta 300 are shaped like a normal car, not as extremely "bubble car" shaped as its predecessors.

Expensive fun

When you study the beautiful BMW Isetta in the pictures, you might think that it would be cool to have one like that in the garage. These cars are ideal for passionate DIY mechanics. All of the parts (apart from the interior) can be bought new. The problem is the price. There are currently 23 cars for sale in German mobile.de. The prices are from NOK 350 to just under half a million for polished copies. Cars that are fully drivable, but not polished, are sold for just under NOK 000. The asking price for the car in the pictures was NOK 200 plus fees and costs in 000. From what we can see, this must have been a bargain.

Isetta in modern cars

The Isetta became the salvation for BMW in 1955. They continued to develop the model, including the Isetta 600, which was a 4-seater version with a front door and a rear door on the right side. A quasi-concept that was neither a bubble car nor a car. Far more successful was the BMW 700 – a car with technology from the Isetta, but in a shape that was continued in modern BMWs – the "Neue Klasse" and -02 series. In today's model range, there is little from BMW that reminds of the light constructions from the 50s. The BMW i3 is probably the model that has garnered the most recognition from BMW nostalgics - not least among BMW's own employees.

Isetta Microlino – Isetta year 2022

A new car brand with modern battery technology inspired by the legendary BMW Isetta. The car has been fully developed in Küsnacht, Switzerland and exists today as prototypes. Work is now underway to establish production in northern Italy. The Microlino is a 2-seater with a 220-litre boot, or in the Microlino people's own words: Space for 3 beer cases! The car is equipped with a 15 HP electric motor and can reach 90 km/h and is registered as a 4-wheel motorcycle (L7E). With the largest battery pack, the stated range is 200 km. Estimated price is 12 euros. Advance sales have begun, and interest in the Isetta successor is high. A year ago, the factory had received 500 reservations.

Microlino Protype 3 (photo: Microlino-car.com)

The interior of the Microlino (photo: microlino-car.com)

Microlino's home pages

See

The cars that avoid tolls

Posted 04/07/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

If you drive a car registered as a 4-wheel motorcycle, you not only avoid paying tolls. You also avoid EU checks and studded tire fees - and you get more affordable insurance. The problem is that there are not very many models to choose from.

Cars registered as 4-wheel motorcycles are the microcars of our time. They had a small and short-lived revival as electric cars until battery technology became available in more normal vehicles. Today, there are not so many left of the early electric cars with 4-digit registration numbers such as Kewet, Buddy and Reva. Hand on heart, surely no one misses them either?

L7e is standard in the EU

Vehicle class L7e applies to 4-wheel motorcycles in the EU - and in Norway. If the vehicle is already approved as L7e in, for example, France, it will also pass the Norwegian authorities. It is generally easier to get a vehicle type-approved as a 4-wheel motorcycle than as a car. This makes it easier for small producers to enter the market with small production series. It also opens the door for production in Norway. Buddy Elbil, for example, was put together here.

Niche cars

It is difficult to imagine that cars registered as 4-wheel motorcycles will become anything more than niche cars. As electric cars, they are interesting, because they are light constructions that require little energy - so that you can go a long way with a small battery. That - and exemption from toll fees - provides almost free transport to and from work. However, there are two things that drag it down. Collision protection and purchase price. The price advantage of these vehicles is eaten up if you add modern safety equipment such as ABS, airbags and air conditioning. Today you can buy a perfectly fine Nissan Leaf or the latest Fiat 500 "e" for under NOK 220. They have better range, better charging options, better space and better comfort - but are therefore not exempt from tolls.

Adapted 220V sockets

A general feature of the electric cars in this class is a lack of fast charging. 2 KW seems to be a typical limit for receiving charging current. Considering that the cars have relatively short ranges, the cars' practical usefulness is thus quite limited. These are cars for short trips and driving to and from work - possibly with a socket in both places. The advantage of 2 KW charging is that you can charge safely without a wall charger.

L7e vehicle overview

Here follows an overview of electric vehicles that fall into the class 4-wheel motorcycle (L7e). We rate each model based on utility, value for money and how cool it is. We have not assessed the commercial vehicles in this class.

NOSE SMOKE

l7e — NOSMOKE electric car registered as a 4-wheel motorcycle (photo: Nosmoke.fr)

Do you remember Mini Moke? There were hardly any of them in Norway. It was a simple, open design with 2 longitudinal, rectangular boxes on each side bound together by a bottom plate. The design fits well as an electric car, as the boxes on the side today hold batteries.

Produced in several editions

After production in England, so-called "continuation models" were made in Australia, Portugal and Italy. Later it was produced in China, probably as a replica model. The replica is probably also French NOSMOKE. In French, the name means "Nos Moke" - our Moke. In English, the name can probably be interpreted as "emission-free" or something like that.

Summer and bathing car

The open car with a canvas roof is not suitable for winter driving - at least not on salted Oslo roads. This is a vehicle for short trips on fine summer days. Thus it falls into the same category as a hobby vehicle – as an alternative to a real mini or a classic Fiat. As cool as a classic.

Facts about NOSMOKE

Length, width and height: 355 x 159 x 155 cm
Electric motor: 13,5 HP
Battery: Lithium
Top speed: 70 km/h
Stated range 110 with Lithium – 80 km expected
Price in Norway: approx. 189.
Production: Cerizay, France
Sales in Norway: Engine Room, Høvik
Advertisement on Finn.no: NOSMOKE Electric
Estimated number in Norway: 4

Our judgment

Super-cool but limited utility due to top speed and range. The price can be defended as a hobby/enthusiast vehicle. These cars actually cost the same in the country of manufacture, France.

minimoke — The original Mini Moke (photo: Mette Lium)

Renault Twizy

Marketed as an urban 2-seater, it is the only vehicle here to have commercial success. The seating arrangement requires that driver and passenger know each other well. The car is open, but can be fitted with plastic windows to seal off salt spray, rain and frost. Supplied with airbag and 4-point belts as standard.

Special design

Form is obviously prioritized over space. It looks more like an enclosed scooter than a car. Vehicles like this, with an unusual shape and silhouette, increase the risk of falling victim to the indolence of other road users. This is something drivers of two-wheelers experience quite often. On the positive side, it can be said that Twizy has a distinctive, uncompromising style.

Facts about the Renault Twizy

Length, width and height: 233 x 139 x 145 cm
Electric motor: 17 HP
Battery: Lithium 6,1 kwh
Top speed: 80 km/h
Stated range 90 (NEDC) – 50 km expected
Price in Norway: approx. 112.
Production: Valladolid, Spain
Sales in Norway: Renault Norway
Estimated number in Norway: approx. 800

Our judgment

A middle ground between a scooter and a car. Extremely low range and small space reduce utility.

Tazzari Zero City

l7e — Tazzari Zero City (photo: Tazzari.it)

In the advertisement, the car's Italian origins are emphasized. At first glance, it still looks like a fairly ordinary microcar. It is no easy task to make a beautiful car with a length of less than 3 metres.

On the second round

Tazzari gained some popularity here at home about 10 years ago. It was then a challenger to Kewet and Buddy, but had far better suspension and road holding than the aforementioned competitors. Tazzari took the road like an expensive car, while Buddy, by comparison, limped along like an electric wheelchair. In addition, Tazzari was fast. Of all the cars in the L7e class, the Tazzari Zero City is undoubtedly the best on the road.

Biggest investment in the moped car variant

Tazzari also has a model registered as a 4-wheel moped (L6e). It is this that the retailers in Norway focus on the most. The reason for that is that the cars in the L7e class - which can do 90 km/h - are unfortunately priced too high compared to existing electric cars. With necessary extras such as ABS and air conditioning, the price ends up on the same level as Fiat's new 500 "e" or the base version of the Nissan Leaf.

Facts about Tazzari Zero City (L7e)

Length, width and height: 280 x 150 x 145 cm
Electric motor: 21 HP
Battery: Lithium
Top speed: 90 km/h
Stated range up to 150
Price in Norway:
186 (basic price incl. batteries)
210 190 (with ABS, aircon, reversing sensor)
Production: Imola, Bologna, Italy
Sales in Norway: Toll-free cars
Estimated number in Norway: approx. 80

Our judgment

A handy 2-seater with lots of luggage space. Tazzari Zero City is the best choice for those who use their car a lot. The driving characteristics surpass the other cars mentioned here. But the price is so high that you should rather choose the Nissan Leaf Visia or the Fiat 500 "e".

Today Sunshine M2 High Speed

In the picture, the front looks like the first edition of the Mini Countryman. But in reality, the size ratio will reveal that it is a micro car. Typical Chinese. The name can also be said to be typically Chinese. But China is about to leave its mark on the car fleet in Norway. They have a large domestic market for electric cars and microcars, - and also have good expertise in battery technology. So the resemblance to the Mini is charming. And you can actually order it in British Racing Green.

L7e compatible

The M2 model comes in two versions – a moped car with a top speed of 50 km/h and one that does 80 km/h. The latter is approved in Norway as L7e and can be purchased through a Norwegian dealer.

Facts about the Today Sunshine M2

Length, width and height: 283 x 150 x 157 cm
Electric motor: 10 HP
Battery: Lithium 10,8 kwh
Top speed: 80 km/h
Stated range up to 130 km - expect 80 - 100 km
Price in Norway: 145
Production: Zhengzhou, China
Sales in Norway: Mikrobil AS, Os
Estimated number in Norway: approx. 1-3

Our judgment

Appealing looks, with a hint of Mini. Practical 2-seater at a reasonable price.

today sunshine m2 — The dashboard also has similarities with the Mini (photo: Todaysunshine.it)

City Spirit High Speed

Made in China and sold elsewhere in the world as Jiayuan City Spirit. It is probably the smallest car on sale in Norway at the moment. With a length of 225 cm, it can really be parked legally with the front towards the curb.

Facts about City Spirit

Length, width and height: 225 x 129 x 157 cm
Electric motor: 10 HP
Battery: Lithium
Top speed: 80 km/h
Stated range up to 160 km
Price in Norway: 149
Production: Jiangsu, China
Sales in Norway: Melhus Motor and Leisure, Tiller
MEV Norway, Bergen
Estimated number in Norway: approx. 23

Our judgment

On the downside, the City Spirit is so small and narrow that it could be mistaken for a motorized wheelchair. Still a practical 2-seater at an alright price.

microline

l7e — Microlino Protype 3 (photo: Microlino-car.com)

A new car brand with modern battery technology inspired by the legendary BMW Isetta. The car has been fully developed in Küsnacht, Switzerland and exists today as prototypes. Work is now underway to establish production in northern Italy. The Microlino is a 2-seater with a 220-litre boot, or in the Microlino people's own words: Space for 3 beer cases! The car is equipped with a 15 HP electric motor and can reach 90 km/h. With the largest battery pack, the stated range is 200 km.

Facts about Microlino

Length, width and height: 243 x 150 x 145 cm
Electric motor: 15 HP
Battery: Lithium 14,4 kwh
Top speed: 90 km/h
Stated range with largest battery pack: 200 km
Estimated price: 12 euros
Read more about Microlino
Not represented in Norway.
Charging time: 4 hours from plug or T2.
Easy parking with door out onto the pavement.
Luggage compartment: 220 liters of luggage.

Our judgment

Super-cool car with good range for its class.

microline — The interior of the Microlino (photo: microlino-car.com)

EDEN

The company behind EDEN has taken over the original body shapes of the Citroën Méhari. They specialize in restoring Méhari and 2CV, but emphasize that the EDEN is not a converted Méhari, - it is built from the ground up as its own battery-powered vehicle and approved as a 4-wheel motorcycle by an independent, recognized certification company. Thus, it will probably also easily be able to get signs in Norway.

Currently not for Norway

The manufacturer is expanding a service network in France. It consists of workshops that can carry out maintenance on the cars. Other countries are under development, without Norway, the country of electric cars, being included. Around the Mediterranean, the Méhari is a cult car, and demand for the electric car variant is high despite its sky-high price. The original cars from the 70s are traded today for prices around 15 euros. New EDEN costs from 000 euros

Facts about EDEN

Length, width and height: 357 x 149 x 149 cm
Electric motor: 21 HP
Battery: Lithium
Top speed: 80 km/h
Stated range up to 130 - 90 km expected
Price in Norway: –
Production: Cassis, France
Not sold in Norway.
Estimated number in Norway: 0

Our judgment

In appearance identical to the cult car Citroën Méhari. A hobby and enthusiast vehicle that will attract positive attention everywhere - and driving pleasure in line with the original. The manufacturer does not want to deliver individual cars to Norway without a service network established here. Perhaps a condition in the type approval? High price and reduced utility mean that the model is unlikely to be a commercial success in Norway.

Buddy Electric

Finally, we include a picture of Buddy Electric. It may not be the world's best electric car, but it is the most sold to date in the L7e class. The company is based at Økern in Oslo, and has not put Buddy on the shelf. It is not unlikely that we will see new Buddies in the future.