Club of the month - King Midget Car Club

Our featured club members love their royal ride. The International King Midget Car Club Inc. keeps the interest going and the marque alive with many active members and their yearly "Jamboree". This year August 15 - 17 2008 - Don't miss it !!! From the early one passenger model, to the final fiberglass finale, the King Midget had lots of fans. We salute this club and one of our own favorite cars.
http://www.kingmidgetcarclub.org/index.html

L'Oeuf: The Iso Isetta Wasn't the First Bubblecar

Born in 1903, Paul Arzens studied at Paris Fine Arts school. He built this car (L'Oeuf -- "the egg") in Paris in 1942 -- the world's first true bubble car. The vehicle was constructed from hand-formed aluminium and a windscreen and curved side doors made of Plexiglass. (Plexiglass at the time was a new material.) Initially the L'Oeuf was electric and power came from five 12 volt 250amp batteries that powered an electric motor on the single rear wheel. After the second World War this was replaced with a 125cc engine. The vehicle was used by Arzens up until his death aged 87 in 1990; it is now in the Transportation museum in Mulhouse, France.

Liège-Brescia-Liège: Wrap-up

The Liège-Brescia-Liège Rally is over, but stories of the 2,000-mile run from Belgium to Italy and back will continue -- until the next rally, scheduled for July 10-19, 2009.

In the "Authentic" category (cars that would have been eligible for the rally in 1958), Vespa 400's took first, third and eighth positions. Messerschmitt TG500's came in second, fourth and sixth (a KR200 came in 12th). Berkeley SE492's finished fifth, 16th and 22nd, while an SE328 finished 21st. Other cars that finished the rally included a trio of Zundapp Janus', a pair of Citroen 2CV's, two Heinkel 200's, four BMW Isettas (three 300's and a 250) and a Goggomobil Dart 400.

A full story of the rally appeared in the Telegraph.

A car named Stuart (Electric Microvan)

Actually Stuart the car looks more the shape of a mini mini van. This little electric had motor of 4hp and a cruising range of 40 miles at 35mph. Stu was born in Kalamazoo MI. Designed as a small family vehicle poor Stuart didn't have much of a family because it appears only prototypes were built. For interesting alternative transportation -
http://www.didik.com/ev_hist.htm

I said Zeta not Isetta

While we're on the subject of fiberglass microcars we have to mention the Lightburn Zeta. A car of unusual styling to put it mildly, this little wagon with no tailgate comes from "down under". Billed as Australia's own second car, you would access the cargo area by simply removing the front seats. This, and other faulty features, made this micro made in a washing machine factory a washout. Read more -http://www.adelaidetalkbacksa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=868

More About Almquists (Crosley-powered)

The Almquists have been "coming out of the woodwork" as a result of the efforts of Daniel Strohl of Hemmings and the guys at Fiberglass Sports Cars.

Almquist, a manufacturer and distributor of a wide variety of aftermarket "speed equipment", also designed and sold several fiberglass bodies -- with instructions on how to fit them to different frames. The smaller examples (Sabres) fit into our definition of minicars and were often assembled with Crosley components.

Remembering Renzo Revolta (Automobile Pioneer)

We think it's fitting to honor Renzo Rivolta (1908-1966) on the 100th year since his birth. Mr. Rivolta's company produced many vehicles, starting with scooters and going on to celebrated sports cars like the Iso Rivolta. Along with designers Pierluigi Raggi and Ermenegildo Preti he built one of the most unusual cars ever. Of course it's our beloved Isetta. Mr. Preti and Mr. Rivolta are seated and Mr. Raggi is standing.