The Day the "Bubbles" Came to Portslade
Most people associate the iconic BMW Isetta with the grand assembly lines of the Brighton Locomotive Works, but the final, fascinating chapter of its British story unfolded right here in the industrial heart of Victoria Road.
By the early 1960s, the "Rolling Egg"—as it was affectionately known—had captured the public’s imagination. It was marketed as the ultimate "second car" for the busy family, promising a staggering 83 miles per gallon and the ability to be driven on a motorcycle licence.
As full-scale assembly at the Brighton station site wound down in the early 60s, the operation shunted westwards to the Victoria Trading Estate in Portslade. Located just a short walk from the residential terrace where I lived, the Isetta of Great Britain factory shifted its focus from building the cars to being the national hub for engineering and reconditioning..."
The Victoria Road Engine Room Located at the southern end of the industrial estate (historically associated with No. 116), the Isetta of Great Britain factory shifted its focus from building the cars to being the national hub for engineering and reconditioning. Under the leadership of Captain E.G. Sharp, the factory became a hive of activity where the 298cc single-cylinder engines were tuned and parts were distributed across the country.
A Neighbourhood of Industry The atmosphere in Victoria Road at the time was a classic slice of 1960s Portslade. While the "thrum" of 300cc engines filled the air at the Isetta works, the sweet scent of soft drinks likely wafted over from the nearby Fryco factory. It was an era of genuine manufacturing where "Built in Britain at Brighton, Sussex" was a badge of pride.
The Legacy Lives On
Though the Portslade factory closed its doors around 1964, it remains a "Gold Nugget" of our local history—a time when one of the world's most eccentric and beloved cars had its heart beating right here in our village.
Mille Miglia: This "bubble" car completed the 1,000-mile Mille Miglia
The Mille Miglia (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmille ˈmiʎʎa], Thousand Miles) was an open-road, motorsport endurance race established in 1927 by the young Counts Francesco Mazzotti and Aymo Maggi. It took place in Italy 24 times from 1927 to 1957 (13 times before World War II, and 11 times from 1947).[1]
- 83 MPG: In today's money, that fuel economy would still be the envy of the road!
- The Managing Director of Isetta of Great Britain around that time was a man named Captain E.G. Sharp.
Here is the text from an advert that was put out :
THE AMAZING FOUR-WHEELED ISETTA
Motor-cycle economy with all the comfort and safety of a car . . . that sums up the amazing Isetta in a nutshell.
The fact that it is small and nippy, ridiculously easy to park, cheap to run and maintain, and quite surprisingly roomy makes it the perfect family “second-car” — for going shopping, for getting to work or the station, for taking children to school. And it obviously appeals to business-men and sales representatives as the ideal run-around in big cities.
But the Isetta is very much more than a convenient small-car. Its magnificent performance, reliability, ease of maintenance and driving comfort mark it out as a car in its own right. For instance, an Isetta completed the gruelling 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race at an average speed of 49.6 m.p.h. — a performance that was rightly acclaimed all over the world. And on official trial the Isetta covered 2,350 miles from Sicily to Sweden in 62 hours, averaging 37.9 m.p.h., stops included. On the Continent where over 100,000 have been produced, it is regularly driven on long motor-tours on every sort of road condition imaginable.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 83 miles per gallon at constant 30 m.p.h.
TYRE SIZE: 4.80-10 Dunlop Tubeless on ALL WHEELS.
BRAKES: 4-wheel hydraulic brakes.
DRIVING POSITION: Right-hand drive.
EQUIPMENT
Built-in sun roof. Sliding windows. Twin rear lights. Illuminated number plate and brake stop light. Comprehensive tool kit under seat. Electric ignition starter. Hand dipper and trafficator controls. Double windscreen wipers. Large glove and papers pocket in front door panel. 12-volt electrics by Lucas including $5 \frac{3}{4}"$ headlamps. Long-life Dunlop tubeless tyres. Front and rear bumpers with over-riders on rear. Heater and de-mister supplied as an extra.
BUILT IN BRITAIN AT BRIGHTON, SUSSEX
ISETTA OF GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX
The "Bubble" Breakdown (Victoria Road Edition)
The "Rolling Egg" Heart: The engines being reconditioned in Portslade were mostly 298cc single-cylinder four-stroke units. They were essentially motorcycle engines, which meant the factory would have sounded more like a bike shop than a traditional car plant.
The Three-Wheeler Loophole: One reason they were so popular in the UK (and why the factory moved to Portslade to keep the dream alive) was that three-wheeled Isettas could be driven on a motorcycle licence. It was the ultimate "working man's" getaway vehicle.
The Reverse Gear Mystery: Early models didn't have a reverse gear! By the time they were at Victoria Road, they were dealing with the more advanced models, but the simplicity of the design was legendary.
The "Front Door" Entrance: Every Isetta owner's favourite fact—the entire front of the car was the door. If you parked too close to a wall in Portslade, you were trapped inside until someone moved!
UPDATE: The Community Responds – Your Isetta Memories
Since we published our look into Portslade’s "Bubble Car" history, the memories have been flooding in! It seems the Isetta wasn't just a quirky piece of local engineering; for many of you, it was a first taste of freedom.
The Parts Warehouse by the "Cattle Arch" Roger Boyss shared a fascinating detail about the car's longevity. As late as 1971—a decade after the Portslade factory closed its doors—spare parts were still being sold from a warehouse tucked right next to the Cattle Tunnel in Victoria Road. Roger also reminded us that for many 18-year-olds in the late 60s, the Isetta was the ultimate "learner" car, as it could be driven on a motorcycle licence.
The Mechanics' Secret We also heard from David Churchill, who worked at Tilleys in Lewes Road, Brighton. Tilleys were agents for the Isetta, and David recalls developing a clever "short-cut" technique for repairs that avoided the nightmare of removing the entire engine. It's those kinds of local engineering "nuggets" that really bring the trade history of our area to life.
A Splash of Colour in Denmark Road Finally, Alison Caldwell (née Lucas) brought back a vivid childhood memory of a light pink Isetta often seen near the exit of Vale Park on Denmark Road. Whether it was driving past or parked up, its quirky design clearly left a lasting impression on a young girl walking to Benfield School in the early 70s.
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The "No Man's Land" of the 1970s
As the rail sidings east of the Cattle Arch wound down, the area entered a strange, "liminal" phase. The heavy shunting had ceased, but the modern industrial units hadn't yet arrived. This left behind a "ghost yard" of abandoned tracks and crumbling railway cottages. For the local youth of the early 70s, these buildings—like the old flint cottage level with the sidings—became a forbidden playground.
The Legend of PC Spain Accessing these "ghost buildings" was a game of cat-and-mouse, played out against the backdrop of local law enforcement. Many will remember PC Spain, the "motorbike bobby" who was a constant presence around the Victoria Road corridor. A strict disciplinarian, the distinctive thrum of his motorbike engine was the signal for every teenager in the old railway yard to vanish into the shadows. He was the human boundary of the village, keeping order in the "no man's land" where the old industrial world was slowly being dismantled.
A Growing History
These interactions prove that the "Green Ribbon" of history isn't just about maps and buildings; it’s about the people who drove the cars, fixed the engines, and walked the streets.
Thank you to everyone who has commented so far—you are helping us "put the flesh on the bones" of Portslade and Lancing’s industrial heritage.
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