Shown below are some of the small cars which are on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
1937 Fiat Topolino 500
This car was manufactured from 1936 until 1955 and was one of the smallest cars in the world. The top speed was about 53 mph and it got about 39 miles per gallon. “Topolino” is the Italian name for Mickey Mouse.
1939 American Bantam-Hollywood Roadster
Based on the American Austin, it was available in 18 different body styles. Fuel consumption was 59.6 miles per gallon. It was powered by a 4-cylinder, 45 cubic inch engine with 20 horsepower.
1939 Crosley 2-door Convertible
The Crosley, produced by a major appliance manufacturer, was introduced as “The Car of Tomorrow.” The car was sold by department stores along with Crosley radios and refrigerators. It has a 2-cylinder, 12 horsepower engine.
1949 Crosley Hot Shot Roadster
This was America’s first mass-produced post-war sports car.
1952 Crosley Skorpion
1953 Citroen 2CV
This car was designed to “carry two farmers wearing clogs, plus 110 pounds of potatoes or a small cask of wine, at a maximum spped of 30 mph.” It has a 2-cylinder, 602 cc, 29 horsepower engine.
1956 Messershmitt
This is a three-wheeled, two-seat, rear-wheel drive car produced by the West German aircraft manufacturer. It is powered by a 1-cylinder, 191 cc, 10 horsepower engine.
1956 Nash Metropolitan 2-door Convertible
This car has a 4-cylinder, 1500 cc engine with 52 horsepower and a manual 3-speed transmission.
1958 BMW Isetta 300, 1-door Coupe
BMW acquired a license from the Italian car company Iso Rivolta in 1955 to produce the Isettas. The Isettas, known as “Bubble Cars”, were marketed primarily in Europe. It has a 1-cylinder, 298 cc, 13 horsepower engine.
1981 Comuta-Car
This car is powered by eight six-volt lead-acid batteries supplying power to a six horsepower General Electric Direct Current motor. It goes from 0 to 30 mph in about 15 seconds, has a top cruising speed of 35 mph, and a range of about 40 miles on one charge.
1986 Owosso Pulse
Seating two, the Pulse is essentially a motorcycle with outrigger wheels attached. It has a 6-speed 400 cc air-cooled Yamaha engine and gets about 100 miles per gallon. Only 325 Pulses were built.
More automobiles
Griot's Garage: Some Ferraris (photo diary)
Museums 101: Porsche automobiles, 1971-1993 (photo diary)
Museums 101: Some Corvettes (photo diary)
British Transportation Museum: A collection of Austin automobiles (photo diary)
Museums 101: A couple of Chryslers and a Plymouth from the 1930s
Packard Museum: Custom coach Packards (photo diary)
British Transportation Museum: A collection of Minis (photo diary)
Museums 101: A couple of Rat Rods (photo diary)