Cars

In the 1950s to 1960s, three wheel cars were very popular in Great Britain. For drivers with a motorcycle license, these cars did not require a separate car license.

A short-lived classic! The BMW 320 was built for just one year. First presented in July 1937, the 320 showed a close resemblance to the transitional 329. The 320 was smaller, lighter, and less expensive than its predecessor. The 320 was a high performance car with many admirers. 

In 1957, BMW brought out a 4-seater development of the Isetta. The 600 (named for its engine size), has two doors: the swing-up front door as on the Isetta, and a door on the right side for passengers.

One of Germany’s well-known car makers, BMW began building engines for airplanes. Forbidden to continue making airplane engines after WWI, BMW turned to engines for motorcycles and heavy trucks. 

Driven by the need for post-WWII affordable transportation and restrictions placed by post-war agreements, in 1955 BMW decided to supplement slow sales of their larger models with an inexpensive car.

The car seen here is one-of-one; it was designed, built, and raced by Frazier Sibbald, George Olsen, and Howard Bliss, all of California. A triangulated square-tube frame was utilized, with a fiberglass nose and tail, aluminum doors, a hot-rodded BMW “airhead” from a 700 Sport Coupe, and LeGrand Formula car suspension were blended into this miniature Lotus 23B.