The Isetta was originally manufactured by a company called Iso in Milan (Italy) 1953. The Isetta (Little Iso) was at first a 4-wheeler powered by a 236cc 2-cylinder 2 stroke engine. The cars however did not sell well and so Iso sold both the design and manufacturing rights to BMW. The Isetta was then built under license by BMW in Germany. Power now came from a 250cc four-stoke single cylinder engine and a similar 298cc engine. The instant success of the Isetta possibly stopped BMW from closing down as it kept the company in business at a time when many others were forced to close. BMW then sold the manufacturing rights to various companies around the world, and the Isetta was then produced in France (Velam), and from 1957 the UK which became "Isetta of Great Britain Ltd". These Isettas were built at the Southern Locomotive works in New England Street, Brighton. (UK) The high road tax cost of the 4-wheeled Isetta in the UK hindered sales until the first 3-wheeled version arrived in 1958. © http://www.3wheelers.com/bmw.html