[Video] BMW Isetta The Strange, Driven by Doug DeMuro

Despite the many BMW cars released over time, the BMW Isetta has a special place in the history of the German automaker. It is one of the strangest, quirkiest and most interesting cars that has ever been made by BMW. It was originally powered by a 250cc BMW R25 motorcycle single-cylinder engine delivering only 12 hp. Check out a review by Doug DeMuro of this particular BMW Isetta 300 model with 298cc and a very cute 13 hp.

Watching this video, you will see so many strange things about the BMW Isetta. It is so small, has a tiny engine, has only one door to the inside of the car, steering wheel and steering rack is attached to the door/front-end that goes with door when you open it.

Let’s say that this was an odd stage for BMW. The car only had enough room for 1 person and had odd controls. The shift level is on the left together with the steering wheel because there is no other place to put it that will not get in the way of the passenger ingress.

There was an initial engine choke but DeMuro gets it moving. The way this car is engineered makes it impossible to climb uphill. Eventually DeMuro gets stuck on a hill and has to be towed back.

Despite all of these things, the Isetta remains to be a charming, ridiculous, and strange little car.