1962 BMW Isetta 300 Super Plus car Size:L: 80 x 60cm St Martin's Lane in London's

St Martin's Lane in London's West End

This precarious game is watched by four onlookers

Jackie Salt

It was not until 1953 that passenger car production was started

1962 BMW Isetta 300 Super Plus car Size:L: 80 x 60cm St Martin's Lane in London's1962 BMW Isetta 300 Super Plus car. European post war austerity, combined with the Suez Crisis of 1956, led to a petrol shortage and increased the popularity of fuel efficient microcars. In 1953, the first truly successful microcar was launched; the Italian made Iso Isetta 'bubblecar', soon made under licence in Germany, France, Brazil and Britain. The British built cars were assembled under licence from German BMW and fitted with their engines.