Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Could the Hoffmann Auto-Kabine 250 have beaten the BMW Isetta?

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on February 24, 2020

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Archiv

20

Archiv

20

Hoffmann Auto-Kabine 250 (1954) - on a brochure illustration

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Hoffmann car cabin 250 (1954) - with one side door

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Hoffmann Auto-Kabine 250 (1954) - the door of the simple version opens on the passenger side, the luxury version also has a driver's door

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Hoffmann Auto-Kabine 250 (1954) - the more luxurious version with two doors

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Hoffmann Auto-Kabine 250 (1954) - View of the interior

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Hoffmann Auto-Kabine 250 (1954) - two rear wheels, rigidly connected

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Hoffmann Auto-Kabine 250 (1954) - Chassis

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Iso Isetta (1954) - Chassis with single-cylinder engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - the chassis, exhibited at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Iso Isetta (1954) - requires little parking space

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - close to the Iso variant

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Iso Isetta (1954) - exhibited at the Turin Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Iso Isetta (1954) - charmingly presented

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Iso Isetta (1954) - with single-cylinder engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Iso Isetta (1954) - with front entry - Geneva Motor Show 1954

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - engine side, indicators and higher headlights

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - Cabin scooter from BMW - Geneva Motor Show 1956

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta Export (1958) - the comfortable entry is the advantage of this vehicle

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1955) - View through the Isetta

You have only

1 out of 20

images seen in high resolution

Summary

In the 1950s, there was the BMW Isetta, the Iso Isetta and the Heinkel Kabine. They all had front-opening doors and coexisted on the market. Only the Hoffmann car cabin, whose doors opened to the side, was banned and drove an up-and-coming industrial group into bankruptcy. This article looks back at an interesting piece of industrial history, analyzes the technology of the Hoffmann Auto-Kabine and looks at historical pictures and the sales brochure of the time.

This article contains the following chapters

The enterprising Mr. Hoffmann
A simple Vespa is no longer enough
The Iso Isetta as a model
The better Isetta?
Lawsuit and settlement
All destroyed
Further information

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In the 1950s, there was the BMW Isetta, the Iso Isetta and the Heinkel Kabine. They all had front-opening doors and coexisted on the market. Only the Hoffmann cabin, whose doors opened to the side, was banned and drove an up-and-coming industrial group into bankruptcy. But that's only half the story. Jakob Oswald Hoffmann was no stranger to Germany when, just a few weeks after the Second World War, he moved his Solingen bicycle factory to Lintorf (near Düsseldorf), where he was able to take over the premises of Mannesmann Röhrenwerke. Production was soon up and running again and the factory was supplying customers with cooking pots, drills and bicycles.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: