A look back at the tiny cars that once ruled the road

A timeline of micro cars.
2012 Renault Twizy
The Twizy is what the REVAi should have been. Driver and passenger sit piggyback along the center. The entire steel vehicle structure could protect the occupants in an accident.
Length: 92 inches Chris Hebert

Cars are getting bigger—the better to protect you with, my dear. But back when fuel was scarce and safety wasn’t a concern, tiny machines thrived. These wee rides filled a niche for decades, but today, some commuters still demand exceptionally small vehicles.

1953 BMW Isetta
Chris Hebert
1957 Fiat 500
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1962 Peel P50
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1973 Reliant Robin
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1998 Smart ForTwo
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2001 REVAi (G-Wiz)
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Now/future: Elio
Chris Hebert

This article was originally published in the Fall 2018 Tiny issue of Popular Science.

 
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