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

A timeline of micro cars.
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

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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.