Microcars, some of the smallest and most bizarre vehicles ever created, have a unique history that dates back to post-World War II Europe. In the aftermath of the war, European nations faced economic devastation and an urgent need for affordable transportation options. Microcars emerged as the solution, offering compact sizes and basic functionality at a fraction of the cost of larger cars.
These peculiar vehicles saw their peak in the 1950s, but their popularity waned as more refined and practical cars became accessible. However, many of these tiny cars have retained their bizarre appeal, with strange designs and unconventional engineering that continue to captivate enthusiasts.
Below is a list of 10 of the smallest cars ever made that look bizarre, each a testament to the quirky ingenuity of their time:
1. Inter 175A Berline
The Inter 175A Berline, produced by the French aircraft manufacturer S.N.C.A.N. in the early 1950s, is a quintessential example of a post-WWII microcar with a bizarre twist. With a 175cc engine that produced only 8hp, this three-wheeled vehicle resembled a miniature airplane.
Its design included aviation-inspired elements such as the aircraft-style body shape and a helicopter engine starter. When started, the car made a noise similar to a helicopter, enhancing its strange appeal. Displayed at the 1953 Paris Auto Show, it quickly gained attention for its unique features and aviation cues.
2. Kleinschnittger F-125
Designed in post-WWII Germany, the Kleinschnittger F-125 was a response to the need for inexpensive transportation. Weighing only 330 pounds, it was one of the lightest microcars ever made. It was powered by a 6hp engine, enabling the car to reach 43 mph.
The design of the F-125 was practical, using surplus military parts, but its appearance was undeniably odd. Produced between 1950 and 1957, this microcar provided a cheap, albeit quirky, transportation option for Germans recovering from the war’s devastation.
3. Frisky Family Three
The Frisky Family Three, produced in the late 1950s, was an eccentric microcar with a unique design reminiscent of early Ford Mustangs. Designed by the Italian Giovanni Michelotti, this car was originally intended to be an affordable family vehicle.
The Family Three model, which lasted from 1959 to 1964, was equipped with a small backseat, enabling it to accommodate two adults and two children. The car was part of a range produced by British businessman Raymond Flower and his company Meadows, and its odd design made it a standout of its time.
4. Corbin Sparrow
The Corbin Sparrow, produced in the late 1990s, was a modern take on the microcar concept. Unlike earlier microcars, the Sparrow was an electric vehicle designed by Mike Corbin, a man with a history in electric motorcycle technology.
With a top speed of 80 mph and a range of 25 to 50 miles, it was a functional city car but with a quirky, futuristic design. However, only 289 units were produced before the company went bankrupt in 2003. The Sparrow remains one of the more recent and strange entries in the microcar category.
5. Citycom CityEL
The CityEL, a doorstop-shaped electric microcar, was developed in Denmark in the late 1980s. Originally called the Mini-El, it underwent several design revisions before it was discontinued in 1995.
With a somewhat utilitarian and unusual shape, the CityEL was powered by lead-acid batteries in its earlier models but later transitioned to lithium-ion batteries.
The car’s quirky construction and folding canopy only added to its oddball appeal. Despite its limited success, the CityEL remained a unique example of a microcar designed for an eco-conscious future.
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6. Peel Trident
The Peel Trident, produced on the Isle of Man in the 1960s, was a successor to the famous Peel P50, the world’s smallest production car. Slightly larger than its predecessor, the Trident featured a bubble canopy and a toy-like body.
Despite its bizarre looks, it offered impressive fuel efficiency, with up to 100 mpg. With a 49cc or 98cc engine, the Trident could reach speeds of 38 mph. While the car was uncomfortable and impractical, its eccentric appearance has made it one of the most recognizable and sought-after microcars in modern times.
7. Lightburn Zeta Sports
The Lightburn Zeta Sports, produced in 1961, was an attempt to create a sporty microcar. Based on the Frisky Sprint prototype, this tiny sports car featured a design that was both sleek and strange.
It was powered by an 18hp engine and offered a somewhat sporty performance in a compact body. Despite its potential, only 28 units of the Zeta Sports were ever produced, and it wasn’t until 1964 that the car was sold to the public. Its unique appearance and limited production have made it a rare collector’s item today.
8. Bond Bug
Introduced in 1970 by the British company Bond Cars, the Bond Bug was a microcar designed to appeal to younger drivers. With a futuristic, angular design, the Bug stood out for its odd looks and low production numbers.
The car’s most notable feature was its three-wheel configuration and distinctive styling, which resembled something from a science fiction film.
Despite its quirky appeal, the Bond Bug was not successful in the marketplace, partly due to its high price and lack of practicality when compared to more conventional vehicles. Production ended in 1974.
9. Messerschmitt KR175
The Messerschmitt KR175 was a microcar with a fascinating backstory. After WWII, Germany was in economic ruin, and many companies turned to producing small, affordable vehicles.
Messerschmitt, known for its aviation expertise, shifted to microcar production and created the KR175.
With a unique fighter-plane-style canopy and tandem seating, the KR175 had a distinctive appearance. Around 20,000 units were built from 1953, and its aviation-inspired design made it one of the most bizarre and iconic microcars of its time.
10. Autonacional Biscuter 200-F Pegasin
The Biscuter 200-F Pegasin, produced in Spain in the 1950s, was another example of a microcar born out of economic necessity.
Designed to be an affordable option for Spanish consumers, it was based on the French-designed Biscuter 100 but was redesigned to look like the luxurious Spanish sports car, the Pegaso Z-102.
Despite its impressive appearance, the Pegasin found little success due to its barebones construction and lack of refinement. Only a small number were produced before the model was discontinued in 1960.
Microcars have largely fallen out of favor due to the rise of more practical and affordable vehicles. However, the strange charm and unique designs of these small cars have left a lasting impression on automotive history.
Today, microcars are often seen as collector’s items, with some models fetching high prices due to their rarity and eccentricity. While the era of microcars may have passed, their legacy continues to intrigue car enthusiasts and historians alike.
The history of microcars is one of innovation, necessity, and quirky design. Born out of the economic hardships following WWII, these tiny vehicles were a creative solution to affordable transportation.
From the aviation-inspired Inter 175A Berline to the electric Corbin Sparrow, microcars have always pushed the boundaries of automotive design, often in strange and unusual ways.
While their practical use has diminished, the lasting appeal of microcars lies in their distinctive and bizarre personalities, making them a unique chapter in the history of the automobile.
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