In 2025, the BMW Isetta celebrates its 70th birthday – an anniversary that excites not only classic car enthusiasts but also you, the model builders, and that’s why we have a limited anniversary kit ready for this unmistakable automobile. Hardly any other vehicle embodies the spirit of optimism of the 1950s as charmingly and uniquely as this little Bubble – or “Knutschkugel” as ist was called in Germany. It is a symbol of the economic miracle, of courage for innovation, and of attention to detail – all things that also define model building. In this article, we’ll dive together into the eventful history of the Isetta, highlight its appearances in pop culture, and show why the current 1:16 scale model kit is a real highlight for your workbench.
From Italy to Munich: The Birth of an Icon
The story of the Isetta doesn’t actually begin in Munich, but in sunny Italy. Refrigerator manufacturer Renzo Rivolta developed a small, three-wheeled vehicle with a distinctive front door – the Iso Isetta – at Iso Rivolta in 1953. It quickly became a bestseller in Italy among the so-called “Kabinenroller” (cabin scooters).
BMW, which was in severe financial trouble at the time, discovered the vehicle at the Turin Motor Show in 1954. The Munich delegation immediately recognized the potential of this unusual design: compact, affordable, original. They secured the licensing rights at the show and brought the production facilities to Germany.
The BMW engineers gave the Isetta its own single-cylinder four-stroke engine from the motorcycle range and adapted the chassis. The characteristic front door was retained, as was the bulbous design – a trademark that still makes hearts beat faster to this day.
The Isetta as BMW’s Saviour
When the BMW Isetta was launched in 1955, it was more than just a new model – it was BMW’s salvation. The tiny car, called a “Motocoupé,” quickly became a bestseller, gave the company its first post-war profit, and ensured the brand’s survival in a difficult time. Between 1955 and 1962, over 160,000 units were built – more than almost any other BMW model of that era.
For many people, the Isetta was the first step toward individual mobility. It was affordable, economical in consumption, and could be driven with the then widespread Class IV driver’s license. Its success enabled BMW to later develop larger models such as the BMW 700, which laid the foundation for the brand’s global fame today.
Anecdotes and Historical Events: The Isetta Makes History
The Isetta is not just a technical curiosity, but also a vehicle full of stories. One of the most famous anecdotes comes from 1963, when the Berlin Wall already stood and escape attempts from the GDR were life-threatening. Klaus-Günter Jacobi, a West Berliner, modified his Isetta so that his friend Manfred Koster could hide inside and be smuggled across the border. The tiny cabin offered just enough space for one person. A daring undertaking that actually succeeded and went down as one of the most spectacular escapes in history.
Even in everyday life, the Isetta was a loyal companion, whether on snowy Alpine passes or as a family car for Sunday outings. In many family stories, it appears as the very first car, as a symbol of freedom and new beginnings.
The Isetta in Film, Television, and Literature
This little mobility wonder was often lovingly staged: In the novel and TV miniseries “Bella Germania,” the intertwined story of the Iso Isetta and the BMW Isetta plays a central role, embedded in the tale of an Italian-German family. In the music video show “Formel Eins” of the 1980s, the Isetta was a cult object: Every number one hit artist received a part of a BMW Isetta as a prize – a running gag that finally catapulted the “Knutschkugel” into the collective pop culture memory.
To this day, the Isetta is a crowd favourite at the BMW Museum in Munich and is regularly celebrated at exhibitions and classic car meetings. Even modern electric vehicles like the Microlino pick up the Isetta’s design and carry its DNA into the 21st century.
70 Years of Isetta: The 2025 Anniversary
2025 is all about the Isetta’s 70th birthday. In Fürstenfeldbruck, the big annual meeting of the Isetta Club will take place from August 22 to 24 – a must for all fans, collectors, and of course for you model builders. BMW itself is celebrating the anniversary with special exhibitions and events at BMW Welt and the museum in Munich.
The Isetta as a Model Kit: A Piece of History for Your Workbench
For us model builders, the Isetta is far more than just a classic car – it’s a challenge, a piece of contemporary history, and a real eye-catcher in any display case. The current 1:16 scale model kit (item number 07735) brings the fascination of the Isetta directly to your home.
With a length of 15.4 cm, a width of 8.9 cm, and a height of 8.4 cm, the model is handy yet detailed. It consists of 94 individual parts and is already suitable for model builders from the age of 10. Particularly impressive is the true-to-original reproduction of the characteristic front door – of course with a movable mechanism. The tiny 0.25-liter engine has also been faithfully recreated, and the rotating wheels ensure a realistic presentation.
High-quality decals, which cover all important markings and details, ensure a perfect look. The included bilingual companion book (German/English) provides you with exciting historical background information about the Isetta and its era. The kit contains everything you need for assembly:
a detailed, illustrated manual in several languages
a comprehensive decal set
Revell Aqua Color base paints for authentic coloring
Revell Contacta Professional adhesive for precise work
a high-quality model building brush.
Whether you’ve been a model builder for a long time or are just starting out – with this kit you’ll bring not only a piece of automotive history to your workbench, but also the spirit of the 1950s, the lifestyle of the economic miracle, and the fascination of a true cult object…. Including a bilingual edition of the book “Die legendäre Isetta” by Eberhard Kittler.
The Isetta Lives – In Original and as a Model
For the 70th anniversary of the BMW Isetta, you can literally recreate history. The “Knutschkugel” is more than just a car, it is a symbol of inventiveness, zest for life, and the courage to break new ground. And that’s exactly what makes it so special for us model builders. Let yourself be inspired by its story, immerse yourself in the world of the 1950s, and use your model to make a statement for timeless passion and love of detail. Have fun building – and maybe see you soon at the next Isetta meeting! 🙂