Jay Leno steps inside an absolute automotive hero that looks anything but heroic: a 1958 BMW Isetta 300. Before BMW built precision sports cars and luxury sedans, the company was completely devastated by World War II. Restricted by post-war regulations, they desperately needed a vehicle to keep them afloat. And this eccentric, Italian-designed microcar was exactly what saved the brand.
Jay welcomes guest Danny Patlin to the garage to explore the engineering details of this iconic bubble car. Originally designed in Italy by ISO (a company that famously manufactured refrigerators and deep freezers), the Isetta features its legendary single front-opening door, complete with a pivoting steering wheel assembly. BMW bought the licensing rights, re-engineered the vehicle with premium German craftsmanship, and stuffed it with an air-cooled 298cc four-stroke motorcycle engine.
With over 160,000 units sold in its era, the Isetta gave BMW the financial capital to build the performance machinery they are known for today. Watch as Jay and Danny squeeze into the cabin for a hilarious, flat-out test drive through the streets of Los Angeles. It's a classic case of why driving a slow car fast is sometimes the most fun you can have on wheels!
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A new video every Monday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.
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