Rare microcars a screen to Europe's past

Transportation via the crowded, war-torn streets of Europe during World War II made the size of microcars a necessity. Microcars – vehicles shorter than 10 feet with tiny engines below 750 cc – have been ubiquitous signs that economic climate was the watchword throughout a ravaged Europe. But today, the automobiles are appreciated more for their futuristic form, writes the new York Times. Thus, the small European automobiles are popular – and rare – gems in museums and on the collectors’ circuit.

Sensible functionality and futuristic style on all microcars

In the 1940s and 1950s, Americans were steered toward large cars by automotive marketing. Microcars started to show up in Europe which led to the opposite effect there. “These vehicles have been a reaction to desperate conditions,” microcar historian Peter Svilans told the Times. The front of the automobile of the Italian Isetta had egg shaped doors for entry while the German Messerschmitt KR-175 had three wheels initially. These design touches fascinated most auto enthusiasts around. Near Atlanta you are able to visit the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum. This museum shows just how amazing these microcars really are.

Since 1991, Weiner has collected numerous microcars. According to the Times, he had a difficult time finding the microcars. He said they’re hard to find.

“With microcars, you don’t just show up with a wad of cash and say sell it to me,” he said. “In Europe, they mean something more. It’s like you showing up and asking me to sell my dad’s watch.”

Microcars are not just playthings to play with

Microcars might appear to be giant-sized children’s toys, but that could not be farther in the truth. Cars like the French Rovin Z-4 are capable of near-highway speeds, however the power isn’t really accompanied by modern crash safety standards. A microcar has hardly any crumple zone. If you crashed with the automobile, the collision would cause nearly all of the force to be transferred to the driver’s body.

Doing well economically made the microcar no more made

Automotive mass production took place much more often after Europe begun recovering in the monetary hardships of the mid 20th century. There have been numerous more Volkswagen, Renault and Fiat automobiles being made by the early 1960s as they have been more powerful and safer. The “small wonder” that is microcars became increasingly obsolete. Only museums keep the memory of microcars like the Messerschmitt alive. In existence, there are not many left. Only 50 KR-175s are known.

Data from

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/10/14/automobiles/autospecial2/14MICRO.html