A#208 Solved: Microbo

Arunas · March 27, 2009, 09:15:25 AM

What is this car?

Good luck!

Otto Puzzell · March 27, 2009, 10:07:13 AM

"Let me out of here!", Gertrude screamed.

Paul Jaray · March 27, 2009, 04:35:09 PM

Now I'm really interested to know the name of this car....................

Djetset · March 30, 2009, 01:54:51 PM

Is it Italian, because it sure looks it?

Arunas · March 30, 2009, 01:56:36 PM

Quote from: Djetset on March 30, 2009, 01:54:51 PM
Is it Italian, because it sure looks it?

Yep!

DynaMike · March 30, 2009, 02:16:44 PM

Lambro, then...

Arunas · March 30, 2009, 02:19:01 PM

Quote from: DynaMike on March 30, 2009, 02:16:44 PM
Lambro, then...

I must admit I have never heard that name, so not Lambro.

DynaMike · March 30, 2009, 04:27:44 PM

OK. It's a 1952 Microbo.

Arunas · March 30, 2009, 11:45:54 PM

Microbo is the model name, but what's the builder?

Djetset · March 31, 2009, 02:43:32 AM

Its full name is the ISSI Autoscooter Microbo 125, built in Milan.

DynaMike · March 31, 2009, 04:26:14 AM

And ISSI stands for Istituto Scientifico Sperimentale Industriale...

Arunas · March 31, 2009, 06:58:34 AM

The ISSI is possibly correct (because there is some confusion with those names). I think I'll give You the point for this answer. The other point goes for telling what is the name I have for this car.

ftg3plus4 · March 31, 2009, 06:27:19 PM

This is what I find for the ISSI Microbo 125. Not quite the same car:

I've found references to a 1954 "Microbo Minature Car" (no ISSI). Is that by chance what you have?

Arunas · April 01, 2009, 01:39:34 AM

Most likely my puzzle car is the first version while the car in the picture You have posted is the second version of this automobile. While it is related to ISSI I have already awarded one point, but I have one very exact name for it (online You can find this 2nd car under several different names what is very misleading and confusing)..

Arunas · April 14, 2009, 08:39:38 AM

It's Your's know!

Paul Jaray · April 14, 2009, 08:55:26 AM

I know this car, but I was asked not to reply.
When it will be solved, I'll post all the material i have on this.

Paul Jaray · April 15, 2009, 05:27:49 AM

Here's what I have:
I'll post 4 pictures and the info I have on them, then my conclusions.

1) No picture: ISSI
Istittuto Scientifico Sperimentale Industriale, Milano
The ISSI, or Microbo, was a very light (350lb) 3-wheeler powered by a single cylinder 125cc 2-stroke engine. It had a two-seater coupe body with a transparent plexiglass roof.
2) No picture: ISSI
Istittuto Scientifico Sperimentale Industriale, Milano
The ISSI Microbo was an extremely short 86.6in (2200cm) but tall enclosed microcar. Unusual features included a single door on the right-hand side, integral construction and a transparent Plexiglass roof. A 125cc single-cylinder 2-stroke Idroflex 5.5bhp engine was mounted in the tail driving the single rear wheel.
3) no picture: CINGOLANI
Ezio Cingolani, Ancona
This minute but rather handsome 3-wheeled micro coupe used the mechanical elements of a Vespa scooter. That included a 125cc 3bhp single-cylinder engine and 3-speed gearbox. Its aluminium bodywork kept weight down to a mere 119kg, giving it exceptional economy. A production run did not ensue.
4) Picture n.1
Another midget auto at the Milan exhibit, a homemade runabout with the lines of a delivery truck, was powered by a one-cylinder motor-scooter engine. Ezio Cingolani, builder of the three-wheel Microbo, claims it has a top speed of around 40 miles per hour.
5) Picture n. 2 MICROBO
The 125cc Microbo (1952-1954) was an Italian design, but in 1953 it was advertised as being produced in France. it is unlikely that it was ever built in France and very few were made in Italy. This is the second-generation model, shown at the Turin moto show of 1953.
6) Picture n.3 CINGOLANI
Cingolani was an italian who took three years to build his own three-wheeled car. It was powered by a 125cc Vespa scooter-engine and at a reputed 119kg it was very light. In 1952 it received lots of attention from the press. Road tests proved it was a good design, but unfortunately it remained a one-off.
7) Picture n.3
ideal for a date, but not recommended for large families, is a junior limousine exhibited at the recent motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. The sleek three-wheel vehicle is designed to car-up to 200 pounds in addition to the driver. Built by ISSI Works, it is propelled at speeds up to 50 miles per hour by a one-cylinder engine.

Fact number 1 comes from "The new encyclopedia of Automobiles", n.2 and 3 from "the Beaulieu", n.4 and 7 from an issue of the same Magazine, n.5 and 6 from the same book about Microcars.

Here's the pictures:

Paul Jaray · April 15, 2009, 06:14:05 AM

I think:
Picture n.1
This is the 1st version of the Microbo 125, (built by Ezio Cingolani?) .
Picture n.2 and 2b
This is the 2nd version of the Microbo 125, (built by Ezio Cingolani?) and sold by ISSI also with the Autoscooter Microbo name, it has the plexiglass roof as reported by some sources and the single door.
Picture n.3
This is the Cingolani, a 3-wheeler Vespa-engined named after its creator, (who later built the Microbo?), and remained a prototype.

The only reference that states that the Microbo was built by Cingolani is that magazines and some websites.

Arunas · April 15, 2009, 10:40:07 AM

Solved

Paul Jaray · April 15, 2009, 01:02:07 PM

not enough for a point?

pnegyesi · November 05, 2012, 04:35:07 AM

The puzzle car is a Microbo.
It was shown at the same show (1952 Milan Motorcycle Show) where the Cingolani was presented and as you can see from this report you can easily make a mistake of mixing up the two cars

grobmotorix · April 04, 2013, 04:57:48 PM

Here´s a rare rear view:

pnegyesi · October 18, 2013, 03:25:38 PM

I have modified the heading

Wendax · July 27, 2018, 04:13:49 PM

It raised some interest:

News:

A#208 Solved: Microbo