Hello from Los Angeles - Isetta 300 Bubblecar Teardrop

[Arne]

just a couple of tips. maybe no metal frame. single sheet of ply, no insulation.

A galley might be nice, but it will add weight no matter how light you build it.

Think of it this way, how much would it affect the performance of your bubble car if you added another 250# person and took a trip.

I think you are talking really basic here. springs, axle and tires add about 60#..

[bobhenry]

I drove past a horse farm yesterday and a racing sulkey was setting by the barn. I looked at it as a possible ultra light frame idea. I know this will sound a bit crazy but what about a horse shoe shaped frame made from 2 or 2 1/2 inch stainless exhaust pipe. Perhaps a couple motorcycle front wheels mounted in a wishbone shaped fork hinged to the frame and dampeded and sprung with a small motorcycle rear shock absorber assembly mounted from frame to fork. I know ....... I know .....

A weather balloon and some paper mache and you have a perfect trailer.

Did I mention crazy !!!!!

[Graddus]

Nice to see an Isetta here.

In Holland I see them rather frequent on oldtimer-meetings.

My Cygnus 2CV has 602CC (engine from the 60's) and is allowed to tow 400kg with brakes on the trailer and 260kg without brakes.

Perhaps you should take the half of these numbers?

Max speed of my car is about 110km/hour (without trailer ofcourse).

[George G.]

I can't believe no one has told you that the real thing that your model is taken from is made in the UK (I think).

[Graddus]

What makes you think 'UK'?

The plate is not English and the steeringwheel is on the left side.



I wonder how to close the thing if you go to sleep...

[George G.]

Did I say the picture was taken in the UK? The picture is just a picture and I have no idea where it was taken.

[caseydog]

[George G.]

What makes you think 'UK'?

The plate is not English and the steeringwheel is on the left side.

I wonder how to close the thing if you go to sleep...

Graddus, go HERE for your answer.

[B52]

Hey Flower, take good care of that Isetta. A '57 sold at Barrett-Jackson today for $41,000. A really lightweight trailer IS possible. My motorcycle trailer "The Bedroll" comes in at 220 lbs. While it's not a teardrop, it's for sure a tiny travel trailer!! Don't worry if you don't get what you want the first time, 'cause it seems like everyone builds "the next one". Just DO IT!

[IsettaFlower]

Dear Arne, you hit it right on the nose. I've been suggested to avoid insulation and gallery with an aluminum chassis, and brakes, for safety.
Like I said, I won't be traveling on the road with it, it's meant to be a complement for the car...Thanks for your advice!

Dear bobhenry, You're too funny! Thanks for the post...

Dear Graddus, your're right. The Holland Isetta club has frequent meetings where a couple of guys have the TD. My engine has only 1 cylinder BMW 298cc air-cooled engine , 4-speed transmission -plus reverse- with top Speed: 45 mph.
Yes, the picture of that fabulous convertible Isetta shows an import model, and I'm in the process of finding out who it belongs to, since their TD is already in the US.

Dear Geoge G,
Thank you so much for posting those pictures. A member of the Bristish Isetta Club has one and told me that he got the kit & plans from the British Micro-car Museum and that they put it together for him some time ago. He is trying to find out if those people are still around.

YOU ARE AMAZING! your link took me to the place in the UK where they build and sell those TD kits for motorcycles and microcars. I already emailed them to ask for suggestions on getting it built here instead...I can't afford to have it shipped from England...THANK YOU!

Maybe I could get the plans and bring them to Roly...and attempt to biuld our own.

On an interesting note, the Isettas in England were registered as motorcycles, and they have only one wheel at the back, but they can tow the TD. I'm in the process of getting a special hitch for the little Bullet.

Thanks for the extra picture, caseydog!

Dear B52, thanks for your comments and encouragement!

I googled the auction you mentioned...yes, someone wanted that car really bad...mine is not a two-tone, but it's in the same type and condition, and I may sound crazy and conceeded, but I like mine better...!

The money they got for that car in the auction -plus the 10% comission, don't forget- is creating several comments in the blogs of the isetta clubs worldwide. They love their cars even more, and wonder how some are not affected by the recession...

I'm not wealthy, but even with the car worth a low to medium size amount, I already warned my family that when I go 6 feet under, I will remain on the driver's seat.

Anyway...thanks you all so much for your comments.

Note: can someone please tell me how to insert pictures from my computer into this blog? - Thanks!

Guys and girls, please look at that particular TD in the pictures that George G posted above, and feel free to make suggestions, I think that's the one I'm aiming for, and I WILL DO IT - it will be built in my garage...!

Kind regards to all!

Flower.


PS
Dear Roly: Where Are Thou????
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[George G.]

Dear Geoge G,
YOU ARE AMAZING! your link took me to the place in the UK where they build and sell those TD kits for motorcycles and microcars. I already emailed them to ask for suggestions on getting it built here instead...I can't afford to have it shipped from England...THANK YOU!

I can't take all the credit. I got help from my neighbor across the street from me. Who also just happens to have a Fiat 600. Maybe we can get together sometime. We're up here in Palmdale.

And here's the coding for posting a picture out of your album. They have to be in your album, not just on your computer.

[img]http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?image_id=45313[/img]

No spaces between and the address front and back.

[IsettaFlower]

Well, thank you AND your cool micro-car neighbor!
You're only about 60 miles from here, but 10,000 light-years for my little bullet, so a tow would be the only option. Please let him know that there will be a micro-car show in City of Commerce (Citadel, by the Commerce Casino) next April 3 & 4, "The 29th annual unique little car show" and that maybe he should consider participating! It will be lots of fun and I'll be there for sure! Maybe some folks here would like to also stop by and enjoy the show! I can email you the application if you like.
Flower.

[George G.]

Well, thank you AND your cool micro-car neighbor!
You're only about 60 miles from here, but 10,000 light-years for my little bullet, so a tow would be the only option. Please let him know that there will be a micro-car show in City of Commerce (Citadel, by the Commerce Casino) next April 3 & 4, "The 29th annual unique little car show" and that maybe he should consider participating! It will be lots of fun and I'll be there for sure! Maybe some folks here would like to also stop by and enjoy the show! I can email you the application if you like.
Flower.

He, he, he had asked me to ask you if you were planning on going to that show. I forgot. Right now his is up on jack stands. He's making it an Abarth 850 tc clone or something like that. He's modifying the cooling system so hopefully he can drive it down there without over heating.

[IsettaFlower]

YES! TOW, TOW, TOW!

[IsettaFlower]

I just got 3 pics from a microcar club owner in Florida!
I'm still working on the code to post pics here, please check my photo album, you'll see the TD he built!