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Automotive enthusiasm is a hugely diverse phenomenon, and for plenty of hobbyists, the smaller the car the better. The NY Times recently caught up with a few such microcar mavens at the Microcar/Minicar World Meet, and helped shed some light on the miniaturist automotive subculture. Sure, some might call driving a Goggomobile pickup the length of Route 66 without ever exceeding 30 MPH a bit…eccentric, but the passion that these microcar maniacs exude is undeniable.
What a great story.
In contemplating a return to motorcycling after a 15-year hiatus, I have been stunned by the prevailing attitude that anything under 1300cc is “entry level”. To think that somebody somewhere is riding around in a 500cc car is proof that the human race has not gone completely crazy yet.
Amen. I’ve been riding for 20 years, and a big chunk of that time has been on Ninja 250’s. My 1100 Katana, while very fast and capable, was never very fun. When I see all these bikes with 1300, 1600, 1800cc engines, I just shake my head. Give me a smaller, lighter bike any day.
I feel the same way about the current state of cars, where 200hp is practically entry level.
That’s pretty neat. The Smart ForTwo that appears right at the end of the video seems positively huge compared to the other cars nearby.
While I’m a fan of small cars – and even these tiny ones – the economics of producing such a vehicle today are overwhelmingly negative.
That Speed King having had 30-50k drivers is amazing, and I had no idea that it was produced in [nearby to me] Beaver Falls, PA.
Unfortunately, the Crosley story is playing out exactly the same way today. People look at the Smart ForTwo (for example), and figure that for the same $15k, they can buy a nice used competitor, or even a nice 5-seat econocar rather than a tiny 2-seater. EVs may suffer the same fate.
Reminds me of my 150cc scooter. I love all parts of the automotive spectrum, regardless of the oddity of it. But I see how these would have been ideal commuter vehicles. Regulation wise they’d never pass muster today, let alone the fact that there are too many inattentive drivers of QEII class SUVs.
So we all agree. Somebody needs to design an affordable rocket launcher for scooters.
My Dad was obsessed with these cars when they were new back in the late 1950s. We lived in the sticks of western Maryland so there were no dealers nearby. One day we went to the train station and took the 5 hour ride to Washington DC and then to the BMW dealer. Being a 10 year old car nut, I wanted him to buy a 507 or at least a 700, but no, he had his eyes on an Isetta 300. I remember waiting at the dealer while they installed lap seat belts. Considering there was only the thin front door between you and death I wonder what Dad was thinking but then he always put seat belts in all of our cars and made us use them. It must have taken us 7 to 8 hours to get the little beastie home following Route 50 up the Appalachian Mountains. The poor little car could barely make it up steep inclines with the two of us onboard. Definitely not a road trip car. We had it for a few years until the engine blew (one too many hills I guess). Fond memories.
In retrospect, these were made for frugal post war Europe where trips were shorter and the topography allowed for small engines.
“My Dad was obsessed with these cars when they were new back in the late 1950s.”
Neato!!!!!
Pops obviously followed the “different drummer” route.
Good for him!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too many well-indoctrinated “sheep” filling the USA’s human herd.
I like little cars, they seem so toy like and cool… i have a Golf now, it seems huge compared to these… I love my freinds Cooper too, and Fiat wants to sell the 500 here, i cant wait. Of course the problem here is the preponderance of gigantic suv’s all over the place, it can be kinda intimidating at first, but i supppose you’d get used to it. I have never been intimidated in my Golf, tho others have been, riding in it. I live in Philadelphia, its crowded here. But i think most people in this country have alot of space. Hell, i bought a 400 sq foot apartment for 250,000 bucks, but i was about 40 miles out, there was 9.5 acres witha house for 95,000. I wonder if there are enough city dwellers to buy these? I HOPE so! Smart does not seem to be having a good time of it.
My brother has a King Midget and a Crosley, both of which qualify for Microcar events.
We’ve been to a couple of shows at the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum. If you like this kind of thing and you’re in the Atlanta area it’s worth the drive out to see Bruce’s collection. It is amazing.
http://microcarmuseum.com/