Bubblecar articles in the classic car press

[Bob Purton]

"Following the "Classic Car Buyer" magazine feature about bubblecars in their
issue dated 26 September, in their issue dated 28 November they have a feature
on how the bubblecar boom led to the introduction of the Mini.
Co-incidentally, also published on 28 November, Classic car Weekly (the main
competitor to Classic Car Buyer) features a two-page Buyers Guide to the Isetta."
www.classic-car-buyer.co.uk
www.classiccarweekly.co.uk

I just read this on the Isetta forum, has anyone seen these articles?

[Chris Thomas]

Dear Bob

I have the Classic Car weekly article on the Isetta. They say that next week they will be doing a Peel P50 road test!!!

Chris Thomas
Rumcar News

[Big Al]

"Following the "Classic Car Buyer" magazine feature about bubblecars in their
issue dated 26 September, in their issue dated 28 November they have a feature
on how the bubblecar boom led to the introduction of the Mini.
Co-incidentally, also published on 28 November, Classic car Weekly (the main
competitor to Classic Car Buyer) features a two-page Buyers Guide to the Isetta."
www.classic-car-buyer.co.uk
www.classiccarweekly.co.uk

I just read this on the Isetta forum, has anyone seen these articles?

Lenard Lord made a famous quote about Bubblecars in finally agreeing to the Mini going ahead, which he was against. He was probably correct as they ended up making a loss in each one sold and refused to get involved in Motor Sport with them. Put it another way, at the right price the Mini might have failed, putting the sills on the right way round helped, and independents immediately recognized its sporting possibilities pulling the dud out of the bin.  Nothing like a product being the result of far sighted, accurate planning is there? The Imp, nee Slug, owes a lot more to Microcars than the Mini. Though Goggos were also used to create a usable tyre for the Mini.
Pity Messerschmitt did not predate John Bannell and market a Frankenschmitt KR250. They would have sold.

[Rob Dobie]

Just having a Christmas turn out of my filing system, you know, that big pile of magazines and bills on the floor next to the sofa. Came across  a copy of Popular Classics dated March 1993. Inside, a two page article with photos, Driving ... BMW Isetta by Nick Larkin. A red threewheeler, Reg. No. 953 DOV belonging to Paul Bussey.

[Big Al]

Just having a Christmas turn out of my filing system, you know, that big pile of magazines and bills on the floor next to the sofa. Came across  a copy of Popular Classics dated March 1993. Inside, a two page article with photos, Driving ... BMW Isetta by Nick Larkin. A red threewheeler, Reg. No. 953 DOV belonging to Paul Bussey.

Now seen the light and a Schmitt owner.

[Grant Kearney]

There is indeed a two page feature in today's Classic Car weekly on the new Peel P50.  Also there is a full colour article on Ollie Friend's KR200 Cabrio restoration in Classic Car Mart written by Paul Bussey.  Name sound familiar ??.  As a Messerschmitt and Goggo owner Paul is a good man to have in the Classic Car press and after nearly 20 years since the article Rob Dobie has just mentioned Paul is still keen owner, enthusiast and supporter of the Microcar world.  
Ian Seabrooke of Classic Car Mart through his 2CV intrests has attended a few NMCRs and has given us good coverage. Fuzz Townsend of Practical Classics owns an Isetta and Sam Glover owner of the strange and unloved owned a Bond.
With the recent recognition of the NMCR stand at the NEC by Classic & Sports car there should be further press coverage soon.

[richard]

strange really but it's a very long time since i bought a current car mag . i find little in them for me . pages upon pages of ads for products i have no interest . i would much prefer a period issue of motor cycle or motorcycling the ads - sales and wants - fascinating . it puts it all in perspective . do i really need to see ANOTHER shallow article on another immaculate  Messerschmitt or Isetta , after all when did you last read or see anything new ? you will if you read a mag from 1949 or 1962 for example . there is some interest in re-reading articles from 20 years ago as there are often comments re the market , or even the personalities, and its intersting to see how its all worked out

[Bob Purton]

You are right Dickie, we dont read anything new in these article but I was thinking of the introduction to microcars that it gives the next generation, the generation that doesnt remember them as of there day. This exposure can only be a good thing.  Paul Bussey, a very nice man! He has done a couple of article on things I have owned. He also owns a very strange VW van pick up thingy, strange in as much as that it has a special paint job done to look stressed, crazing and cracks, damage, all painted onto it, Most wierd!

[Big Al]

I have an early run of Motor Sport to about 1980, some of the best road tests reported, and a run of Thoroughbred and Classic Car, though it sells out latterly, becoming Classic Cars and loosing its journalistic integrity to the soundbite. It is more interesting selecting these in succession than buying new as they are more informative on the topic and backed with period information.
My personnel feeling is most of the mags now are produced for goners who never or rarely actually buy a classic car. Others are those who bought a conservative choice and need to bolster confidence in their safe choice making the steady rotation of Triumph, Jag, MG etc stuff sell. Most have a Top Gear item on some machine it is impossible to buy and run. I do not even bother to look a dream car monthlies.
The journos of old rarely made mistakes and listened to what was said. Nowadays many items are rehashed from older items and perpetuate incorrect information as it is not checked and interviews still seem to fail to yield accuracy. The only good thing is the advance of the petrol head in presenting offerings and they can be excellent on their specialist topics. Hard to know enough to make a living though. So little areas of sunshine in an overcast sky. Is each ray of sunshine worth the asking price, no, I think not.
Most disappointing mag - Practical Classics. Got a whole run. For a factually based mechanics mag it left far to much detail out. Frustrated at what a poor read they actually were I sold them off.

[richard]

Good points bob and al . Take your point bob re newcomers as discussed here before the article with schmitt,trojan,mopetta,kerry,etc. Etc. On the airfield was a classic but dealt mainly with the characters , history etc. It inspired me - and still does ! But that must be over 20 years ago

[Bob Purton]

Its article in mags about mechanics and restoring that I like, sadly they are few in the mags I currently get. That's one thing I miss about not owning the Schmitt anymore, the MOC mag did contain a lot of article like that and boy were they needed, they are such rubbish cars in many respects. Glad I saw the light and got an Isetta. Its something I keep on at Chris about to include more tech articles in RCN which he has responded to but as he has reminded me, its up to us to contribute the articles. Its the same on the forum really, people are very good at talking about ebay, values, Bruce Weiner and the price of fish but ask a question about fixing your car and its left to about three people who are not afraid to get oil on there hands to come up with valuable help.  I put it down to the nature of rumcars being as diverse as it is. Go on the Isetta forum and tech chat is the norm albeit in some strange dialect from across the Atlantic. Funny really, our forum is maintained by Jim from the USA and Isetta World was set up for the British club but is totally dominated by Americans. A sad indictment on our scene.

[richard]

Very true , there are only 5 gordons known in the world but we are not in comunication really . Rob did get the fan housing plans made and we once or twice wrote. Nick has just bought one and we are now in regular contact re finishing points . It is very much a case of mutual aid and hopefully will help us all.

[Chris Thomas]

Dear Richard

I was interested to hear that you find present day car magazines boring and full of adverts. Have you ever thought of buying Rumcar news (which contains no adverts) and keeping them 20 years before you decide to read them. Problem solved.

The next issue of Rumcar News (issue 115) contains an article about an old car that has never been writtten about before in any magazine (San Giusto,) and part 1 of the definitive history of the Bamby. Again a story never published before.

What more could you want!

Happy magazine reading

Chris Thomas
Rumcar News

[richard]

chris you infer that i do not subscribe - of course i do !! in fact you give me an idea , i will start at my earliest and start to re-read them all . that is going to be a jolly good read and far better than anything i could find at a newsagent . ( now now boys  )

[Big Al]

Its article in mags about mechanics and restoring that I like, sadly they are few in the mags I currently get. That's one thing I miss about not owning the Schmitt anymore, the MOC mag did contain a lot of article like that and boy were they needed, they are such rubbish cars in many respects. Glad I saw the light and got an Isetta. Its something I keep on at Chris about to include more tech articles in RCN which he has responded to but as he has reminded me, its up to us to contribute the articles. Its the same on the forum really, people are very good at talking about ebay, values, Bruce Weiner and the price of fish but ask a question about fixing your car and its left to about three people who are not afraid to get oil on there hands to come up with valuable help.  I put it down to the nature of rumcars being as diverse as it is. Go on the Isetta forum and tech chat is the norm albeit in some strange dialect from across the Atlantic. Funny really, our forum is maintained by Jim from the USA and Isetta World was set up for the British club but is totally dominated by Americans. A sad indictment on our scene.

The Schmitt Forum, 'Schmitt Talk' seems to be mainly Americans too. But then if they are actually doing something - not sure I agree with a lot they do, but that is another matter - then they have stuff to talk about. At least they are doing something!
I have never understood why some factoids are secret in the Schmitt world. For a fundamentally simple car there are many pitfalls to avoid and modifications that make them better without permanently altering the car. When it comes to re engineering over a third of what is there I rather feel that the owners actually need a different car, normally a sports car, as they want to go faster.
I have just been repacking my stash and while I was thinking of selling a couple of Schmitts the fact remains that they are all good ones now, in unmolested condition in the main. With so many cars getting modified I feel reluctant to release these cars unless I have to as there like are unlikely to turn up now. Soon proper original unmodified Schmitts are going to be a rare thing. The other side is I probably will never get round to doing all of them. So I think it is a case of finding the right home for a few and keep them out of the hands of the cut and shut boys who can start with a stinker that matters less to posterity. Anyway with 11 on the shelf now the cars are under lockdown till I move.