MicroCar Auction

[michael3536]

http://www.handlewithfun.com/lot-search.cfm


The Bruce Weiner MicroCar Museum in Madisen GA is being auctioned Cars and collectables this weekend.


http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/

[bwinter1946]

Wow, that is quite a collection!!

I have always enjoyed checking out the rare Messerschmitt. I wonder if they can be towed with all three down?

[GreenBird]

Here's a similar theme car museum just south of Nashville I visited last year. I would describe it as European weirdness - web site lets you browse their collection.

http://www.lanemotormuseum.org/

[peteaeonix]

Since most of the micro cars had a stick transmission, they are all towable. Indeed, of the 3 Isettas I had (in late high school age) one was purchased with a tow bar attached -- it had been a "pick up" car for an automotive-related service company -- if memory serves, it was for a convertible top replacement company -- they'd pick up client's cars and return them -- the Isetta made a great runabout for that purpose.

Why three Isettas? (you might ask) -- well I started with one and my brother-in-law blew up the engine, so I got two more ("one runs good, one all apart") to see what I could piece together. The thought was that I might get two running out of the three. In reality, it took parts from all three to keep one running.

Worst problem was the "field housing" for the generator/starter motor. The body/chassis was from Italy, but the engine and other running gear was from BMW in Germany (some Isettas, sold elsewhere had other engines). BMW cut a 600cc 2 cylinder motorcycle engine in half, leaving a single cylinder 300cc engine for the car. It had about 15 hp or so. To save weight, they created a combination starter/generator. It used a single rotor, but had windings so it would act either as a starter motor or as a generator. The windings of the stator were in the "field housing" -- and the engineering was a little too clever. The field housings shorted out quite frequently (I had three bad ones). For a time, my (running) Isetta could generate power and keep the battery charged -- but had no starter function. But by parking on a hill (even a fairly gently one) I could get a rolling start in about 15 feet.

It was a really fun car to drive, but a little scary at times (even to teenager). It was also very easy to work on ... I could flip it on its side (onto a cushion from a deck chair) and have easy access to the complete underside. So much easier than crawling under a car or working from a pit.