A one-day, multi-photo, YouTube video, break from the Nature's Beauty series, brought on by a Facebook post from Grandma Retro

Hope you have as much fun with this post I have. Please stick around past the text, enjoy the YouTube video, and then the photos that I took. Thanks!

The minute I saw this vintage add on my Facebook wall, found and posted by my FB friend Grandma Retro, I immediately remembered having seen one of these unique little vehicles in person. Picking through my vintage vehicle memories, I headed for Flickr and my photos taken at Cars in the Park, July 23, 2011. That summer, just months after Mama had died in January, over a dozen Saturdays I thankfully engaged my mind with the glories afforded by vintage vehicles, hundreds of them. Yet, I saw only one Isetta 300, easily for me the most unique vehicle that I can remember from those special Saturdays. Here are photos I took from all around the butter-colored beauty. Yes, I believe it's beautiful. How about you? My biggest regret? I didn't try to find the owner and ask if I could get a photo with the door closed. Ah, the joys of hindsight.

However, we've all been given a great gift--a YouTube video called Isetta 300 Drive which is this actual Isetta 300--I know because the license plates match. I didn't find it until after I'd already blanked out the plates on the photos that showed it--that's why you see two versions of the first photo, I wanted you to be able to see the plate so you'd get to have the same grin that I had when this man walked around the car and showed the license plate ! I read Oregon and got all excited, headed right back over to Flickr and checked it out. Yea!

Here is some info specific to the BMW Isetta 300 that I found online: In production from 1956 to 1962, with 161,360 produced. The engine is a 298cc single-cylinder 4-stroke with 53 mph as the top speed. The transmission is a 4-speed manual with reverse.

In 1956, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany changed the regulations for motor vehicles. Class IV licences issued from that time onward could only be used to operate small motorcycles and could no longer be used to operate motor vehicles with a capacity of less than 250 cc. At the same time, the maximum capacity allowed for the Isetta's tax category was 300 cc. Class IV licences issued before the change in the regulations were grandfathered and allowed to be used as before.

This change in regulations encouraged BMW to revise their Isetta microcars. In October 1956, the Isetta Moto Coupe DeLuxe (sliding-window Isetta) was introduced. The bubble windows were replaced by longer, sliding side windows. The engineers had enlarged the single cylinder to a 72 mm (2.8 in) bore and 73 mm (2.9 in) stroke, which gave a displacement of exactly 298 cc; at the same time, they raised the compression ratio from 6.8 to 7.0:1. As a result, the engine power output rose to 10 kW (13 hp) at 5200 rpm, and the torque rose to 18.4 N·m (13.6 ft·lbf) at 4600 rpm. The maximum speed remained at 85 km/h (53 mph), yet there was a marked increase in flexibility, chiefly noticeable on gradients.
 



I started grinning the minute I laid eyes on the BMW Isetta 300.
 

Info I found on the Web: The Isetta is an Italian-designed microcar built under licence in a number of different countries, including Spain, Belgium, France, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Because of its egg shape and bubble-like windows, it became known as a bubble car, a name later given to other similar vehicles.
 

Info I found on the Web: The BMW Isetta was in 1955 the world's first mass-production 3-Litres/100 km car. It was the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world, with 161,728 units sold.
 

Info I found on the Web: The Isetta caused a sensation when it was introduced to the motoring press in Turin in November 1953, it was unlike anything seen before.
 

Info I found on the Web: Small (only 2.29 m (7.5 ft) long by 1.37 m (4.5 ft) wide) and egg-shaped, with bubble-type windows, the entire front end of the car hinged outwards to allow entry. In the event of a crash, the driver and passenger were to exit through the canvas sunroof.
 

Info I found on the Web: The steering wheel and instrument panel swung out with the single door, as this made access to the single bench seat simpler. The seat provided reasonable comfort for two occupants, and perhaps a small child. Behind the seat was a large parcel shelf with a spare wheel located below. A heater was optional, and ventilation was provided by opening the fabric sunroof.
 

Info I found on the Web: The car originated with the Italian firm of Iso SpA. In the early 1950s the company was building refrigerators, motor scooters and small three-wheeled trucks. Iso's owner, Renzo Rivolta, decided he would like to build a small car for mass distribution.[9] By 1952 the engineers Ermenegildo Preti[10] and Pierluigi Raggi had designed a small car that used the motorcycle engine of the Iso Moto 200 and named it Isetta—an Italian diminutive meaning little ISO. BMW began talking with Rivolta in mid-1954 and bought not just a licence but the complete Isetta body tooling as well. Rivolta did not stop with licensing the Isetta to BMW. He negotiated similar deals with companies in France and Brazil. After constructing some 1,000 units, production of the Italian built cars ceased in 1955, although Iso continued to build the Isetta in Spain until 1958.

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, Allure of the Automobile, Portland Art Museum's Photography Day, August 14, 2011

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato - I bought a special ticket which allowed entrance a couple of hours prior to the regular Sunday opening time. Hardly anyone present, just a few workers and a few photographers. Here is the all important agreement I signed about these particular images, which applies to the bottom two photos.

Under no circumstances may you download, upload, copy and paste any of these photos in this post. Thank you. They are not to be used for any purpose other than by me, and that purpose is to be posted on my blog, Portland Oregon Daily Photo. These are the conditions put forth by the Portland Museum of Art when I bought my Photography Day ticket. Thank you.




You can see others taking in the elegance that is this Aston Martin. While I don't begrudge anyone the chance to stand and look as long as they would like, I did wish for fewer people now and then. That's why I bought the special ticket I mentioned at the top of the today's post.

Driver's side view. I read this on the information placard on the wall near the vehicle: It is believed that only two of these cars had hood scoops, and this is one of them. Of the nineteen examples built, just six were left-hand drive. Coachwork: Lightweight Superleggera aluminum alloy body by Carrozzeria Zagato. Only 19 examples were produced. Some cars had hoods with triple power bulges; others had a single scoop. Suspension: In front its equal-length wishbones with coil springs, tubular shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar.
 

Passenger side view and more evidence in support of my desire to take photos of these cars with less people present. From the information placard: Engine type: 226-cid, 12-valve, DOHC 1-6. Horsepower: 314 bhp at 6,000 rpm. Transmission: 4-speed manual. Top speed: 160 mph. Wheelbase: 93 inches.
 

Name on the trunk, along with the reflection of the ceiling light fixture. From the placard: This particular example was the Turin show car in 1961, "dressed up" with bumpers, a chrome strip along the side, chrome instead of polished aluminum around the windows and headlights, and chrome wheels. It is believed to be one of only two examples that had hood scoops. Of the nineteen examples built, just six were left-hand drive.
 

Can you imagine walking through the museum's front door and seeing this beauty, right there in front of you? And you're one of only a handful of people there at that time? Wonderful, let me tell you.

I also read this on the information placard: Suspension: The rear suspension is a live axle with coil springs, lever arm shock absorbers and a transverse Watts linkage.

1954 Plymouth Explorer Sport Coupe, The Allure of the Automobile, Portland Art Museum's Photography Day, August 14, 2011

1954 Plymouth Explorer Sports Coupe - I bought a special ticket which allowed entrance a couple of hours prior to the regular Sunday opening time. Hardly anyone present, just a few workers and a few photographers. Here is the all important agreement I signed about these particular images.

Under no circumstances may you download, upload, copy and paste any of these photos in this post. Thank you. They are not to be used for any purpose other than by me, and that purpose is to be posted on my blog, Portland Oregon Daily Photo. These are the conditions put forth by the Portland Museum of Art when I bought my Photography Day ticket. Thank you.




Across the front and along the passenger side.



Side view of front passenger tire, turn signal, headlight, and the grill.



Grill and headlights.



From the trunk forward.



A second view from the trunk forward.



Passenger door to front end.



Passenger door to back end.



Close-up.



Finally, two photos with a bit different exposure, making the color look a bit different, too.

See what I mean about the color? I think all of the earlier photos are more true in portraying the vehicle's actual color.

Info found at Concept Carz: In the post-World War II era, the public were very enthusiastic about the so-called Concept Cars of 'Dream Cars.' Virgil M. Exner had been placed as head of Chrysler's Styling department and was responsible for improving Chrysler's rather stodgy late 1940's image. He turned to Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin, Italy, to produce a unique series of one-of-a-kind 'idea cars' on production Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth chassis. Exner had sourced the work out to these Italian craftsman because they could build these one-of-a-kind cars more creatively and less expensively than any American company.

Exner designed the Chrysler K-310 Series, which was followed by three more Ghia-built Chrysler design studies: the C-200, the SS, and the D'Elegance, as well as the DeSoto Adventurer 1 coupe. Luigi Segre of Ghia was asked to produce a memorable quartet of cars for Dodge called the Firearrows. The Dodge Firearrow III was a precursor of the subsequent De Soto Adventurer II and Plymouth Explorer concept vehicles that followed.

The sleek, wide-mouthed Explorer was mounted on a 114-inch wheelbase Plymouth chassis and was just 54-inches tall. Powering the vehicle was a 230-cubic-inch Plymouth l-head six that offered a humble 110 horsepower. There was a semi-automatic transmission, twin exhausts that exited through the rear fenders, and wire wheels. The car was distinguished by elegant ivory-hued side reveals, vestigial fins, a metal green finish, a white leather interior with bucket seats and fitted luggage.

Along with giving the public a glimpse into future designs for the company, the Dodge Firearrows, DeSoto Adventurer and Plymouth Explorer significantly helped to rejuvenate the company's image. Chrysler's 'Forward Look' styling of 1955 - 1961 inspired other automakers to return to their drawing boards to revise their models which lacked Chrysler's fresh, Italian-inspired flair. The car debuted in the May 1954 Motor Trend. Despite its racy good looks, the Explorer was powered by the 110-horsepower, 230 cubic-inch, 6-cylinder engine coupled to a Hy-Drive transmission. The dream cars were the inspiration of Virgil Exner who was hired by Chrysler boss K.T. Keller to reinvigorate the Plymouth brand. Chrysler had discovered that there was considerable interest in 'dream car' design proposals, so much so that GM took its cars on tour, staging the elaborate Motoramas around the country. Throughout the 1950s, Chrysler displayed a string of dozens of cars penned by some of the leading styling houses in Europe.

More MOPAR #4, Cars in the Park, Saturday, August 27, 2011

1956 DeSoto Firedome Station Wagon








1959 Plymouth Belvedere Convertible

More MOPAR #3, Cars in the Park, Saturday, August 27, 2011

1946 Chrysler Town & Country Sedan








1948 Chrysler Imperial.

More MOPAR #2, Cars in the Park, Saturday, August 27, 2011

1933 Plymouth PD Convertible Coupe


1935 Dodge KC Pickup


From the Internet: Mopar (short for Motor Parts) is the automobile parts and service arm of Chrysler Group LLC. The term was first used by Chrysler in the 1920s and has been in continuous use ever since. Mopar parts are original equipment manufactured parts for Chrysler vehicles. In Canada, these were sold under the Chryco and AutoPar brands until the Mopar brand was phased into that nation's market, starting in the late 1970s.

Mopar has passed into broader usage among car enthusiasts as an unambiguous reference to the Chrysler parent company, as the Chrysler name also refers to a company marque. The term has thus become an inclusive word for any Chrysler-built vehicle—most any Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Imperial, or DeSoto, plus Jeeps and sometimes Eagle vehicles built after Chrysler's 1987 buyout of AMC-Jeep. Thus, for example, a car club for owners of any Chrysler Corporation vehicle might describe itself as a club for Mopar enthusiasts.

More MOPAR #1, Cars in the Park, Saturday, August 27, 2011

MOPAR automotive adornments.



From the Internet: Mopar (short for Motor Parts) is the automobile parts and service arm of Chrysler Group LLC. The term was first used by Chrysler in the 1920s and has been in continuous use ever since. Mopar parts are original equipment manufactured parts for Chrysler vehicles. In Canada, these were sold under the Chryco and AutoPar brands until the Mopar brand was phased into that nation's market, starting in the late 1970s.

Mopar has passed into broader usage among car enthusiasts as an unambiguous reference to the Chrysler parent company, as the Chrysler name also refers to a company marque. The term has thus become an inclusive word for any Chrysler-built vehicle—most any Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Imperial, or DeSoto, plus Jeeps and sometimes Eagle vehicles built after Chrysler's 1987 buyout of AMC-Jeep. Thus, for example, a car club for owners of any Chrysler Corporation vehicle might describe itself as a club for Mopar enthusiasts.