Brütsch Mopetta
| Brütsch Mopetta | |
|---|---|
 Brütsch Mopetta on display at the Automuseum Engstingen in Engstingen, Germany | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Egon Brütsch Fahrzeugbau |
| Production | 1956–1958 |
| Assembly | Stuttgart |
| Designer | Egon Brütsch |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Microcar |
| Body style | Convertible |
| Layout | Rear-wheel-drive by chain |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | ILO-Motorenwerke V50 50 cc (3 cu in) Single cylinder 2 stroke |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3 ft 4.5 in (1,029 mm) |
| Length | 5 ft 9.5 in (1,765 mm) |
| Width | 3 ft 0 in (910 mm) |
| Height | 3 ft 9.25 in (1,149.3 mm) |
| Kerb weight | 1.75 long cwt (89 kg) |
The Brütsch Mopetta was the smallest in a series of microcars designed by Egon Brütsch.
The Mopetta was an egg-shaped, single-seat, three-wheeler, with a single wheel at the front. It had an open roadster type fiberglass body, although at least one car had a detachable, transparent, folding hood. The car used a 50 cc (3 cu in) ILO V50 engine with a pull start and with an integral three-speed gearbox. Top speed was tested at 22 mph (35 km/h), with an average fuel consumption of 111 mpg-imp (2.5 L/100 km; 92 mpg-US). Only 14 were built, and each cost £200 (in today's money that's almost £2000), but a bike in that time cost £150. They were the most produced car by Brutsch and only 5 survive. The best one is a small red one with a white stripe and a cheap leather manual adjust roof which only 2 had. The only left over pieces are lights and small body panels such as chrome pieces.
There were negotiations with Opel to distribute the car, but only sales brochures were produced.
A Brütsch Mopetta replica is available, built in the UK with a modern Honda automatic engine.
Sources
- Kleinwagen, Small Cars, Petites Voitures, by Benedikt Taschen, 1994