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

A timeline of micro cars.

By Jordan Golson

Posted on Sep 26, 2018

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

1957 Fiat 500

1962 Peel P50

1973 Reliant Robin

1998 Smart ForTwo

2001 REVAi (G-Wiz)

Now/future: Elio

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