Interesting article.  BMW is considering a redesign of the Isetta of the 50's. 



http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/02/03/bmw-to-challenge-smart-with-isetta-brand/

Interesting. Looks pretty aero.

Here is another concept car. An update of the venerable Citroen 2cv





I like the evolution of the successful older cars.  Either of these is a huge improvement over the Smart car.

Here is an original Isetta.  I'm always amused by this pic.  I try to picture one of these chasing speeders.  I guess that's where the "What a Drag" version that Don posted would be useful.

My Bedford someplace in the French countryside.



French countryside, that's the hook back to the 2CV. I had a ride in one once, driven by a drunk Spanish Civil Guard policeman. At the time they were run by the Spanish Army and looked quite fierce in their black leathers on a BMW motorcycle with an automatic weapon of some sort across their back. This guy befriended us and took us to a few Spanish village drinking holes. The 2CV had very soft suspension, with mechanical, not hydraulic, dampers. They kinds wallowed down the road. It seemed very funny somehow careening down dark narrow twisty roads in the hills. I recall thinking it was like a riding in a boat. I was in the rear, no seats, no nothing.

35 years ago and I still didn't have any hair on top. 

Interior, looking forward. The seats could all be slid sideways towards the middle or back out to the sides.



The seats folded down to form beds. As they aged and the mechanism wore they became "lumpy".



Looking up. The assemblies on either side of the cut out in the steel roof, unfolded into cots. They were comfy enough but brutally cold in the cold weather. We didn't have enough blankets, sleeping bags, or pads to properly insulate the bottom side of the cot very well.



pictures are of another but very similar to my old one

Still pretty cool. 

It was "home" for nearly 10 months. Way under 200 sq. ft. 

QuoteThe 2CV had very soft suspension, with mechanical, not hydraulic, dampers.

The design parameters were that it should carry a farmer to market across a plowed field and not break any eggs in a basket on the back seat.

Love the camper. Wouldn't mind having a camper that got ~ 25 mpg.

We don't even have anything small enough to base one on. 

Looks like fun, Don!  I had a friend who traveled Europe for 6 mo's after she got out of highschool - had relatives in Sweden; then a couple years later she traveled throughout South American for 6 mo's.   Always wished I'd been more adventurous back then...  That camper looks pretty comfy - I remember driving my station wagon (my dad had bought for my sister & me to drive) there were 5 or 6 of my girlfriends & I who went to Yosemite camping.  There were 4 of us squeezed into the back of the wagon - I don't think I was able to sleep at all - too uncomfortable. 

Glenn was wondering if the pic was of "Peter, Paul & Mary"?   

Three Musketeers, Don, Gail & Alma

It had a stove, small oven, small sink, water tank, some drawers and cupboard space, even a small short hanging wardrobe, curtains...

I was thinking of the era.  Nice threads, dude.

I lived on a 27' sailboat for 9 years.  Except for times when I was delivering someone else's boat my living space was 7-1/2' wide by 16' long.  Of course you spent a lot of time on deck and could set up a table in the cockpit to entertain groups of 6 or so.  I never had to spend a winter aboard in a cold climate, so it was actually quite pleasant.  If we were in an anchorage somewher we might raft several boats together or have a get together on the beach.

Tundra Buggy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afJ18eJeNgU&NR=1

That would be some very strange tracks left behind in the dirt. Not too good for paved roads. 

Russian trucks. The drivers were having fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlYjae7uSoQ&NR=1

Steam Power. 1925 Doble. I'd never heard of Doble but apparently they were superbly engineered steam machines. Too much so, they only made about 40. This video is from Jay Leno's Garage. Look for the 1925 Doble feature. It could be fired from cold state and moving in approx. 2 minutes.

I got a bit detained at the Czech boys 4x - 6x -8x trials.

These guys know how to have fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVuubGNEcCI

Glenn I wonder if the tracks from the Tundra Buggy could be mistaken for a sidewinder in the desert.  How did this thing operate. Opposite rotations to the center or outside.  I bet it has a hefty sterring mech. Maybe steering clutches on each side similar to a dozer.

I think so -- I read a few comments - I think they could stop or counter rotate either side.

They said it goes anywhere but pavement.

I watched the Doble.  Cool old car.  He mentioned a compound engine so after the steam pushed down the first piston with high pressure it went to one that was about twice as big then continued to push as it's pressure dropped toward atmospheric pressure.  Good system.

Big trucks playing in the dirt is just fine,  ;but going fast... real fast, up Pie's Peak in a car is crazy! But crazy fun!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zqaaf5BqJ3M&feature=related

I could do without the first 1:02 [1 minute 2 seconds], but from there on it's a blast.



It's a Peugeot 405, 1988

So I believe I read someplace a while back that the Smart Car For Four model was being discontinued. The For Two model is still being made.

Some people find the power insufficient and others have expressed worries about how the Smart Car will survive a crash. Here's a prototype that may resolve both issues at once...

Does anybody have any idea/info about this car?



...seems like I've seen it someplace before?