BMW Isetta Looks Fun in These 1950s Commercials

The tiny BMW Isetta was first introduced in Germany in 1953. The single-cylinder car was built for efficiency and for convenience around town. When introduced, it was unlike any other car on the road, with the entire front-end of the car on hinges and acting as the car door. Even the steering wheel and instrument panel swung out with the door.

Judging from these humorous German commercials from the 1950s, the Isetta was truly a wonder. Whisking your children to school was a delight – and accompanied by a Wurlitzer organ, apparently. And in the animated ad below, we see the rather large German man who must shoe-horn himself into a regular car has no problem with the “luxurious” Isetta.