All About the Memorable Steve Urkel Car
Did I drive that? Steve Urkel’s 1960 BMW Isetta 300, that is. We take a closer look at the iconic car behind the iconic Family Matters character of the ‘90s.
Written by Kerry Gibson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
“Family Matters” ran from 1989 to 1998. It was a fan-favorite sitcom that explored parenthood and adolescence. One of the teenage characters was a nerd with a “
clown car
.” The Steve Urkel car was a 1960 BMW Isetta 300.The Isetta will go down in
car history
for its roots as a scooter, which explains its unusual look. The single door, egg-shaped microcar became another popular quirky character of the show. And now, five decades later, you might be able to buy its electric descendent.Origins of the Steve Urkel car
Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. was an Italian scooter manufacturer that built their first car in 1953. The prototype had only three wheels, but the design it brought to market had the standard four. Poor sales led the company to license the design to BMW a year later.
BMW launched its version in 1955. The automaker sold 50,000 units in Germany alone that first year. They built an additional 111,728 Isettas for the European market until 1962.
According to
HotCars
, the Steve Urkel car was 7.5 feet long and 4.5 feet wide. The body narrowed towards the rear. The single door opened across the front of the vehicle, taking the steering wheel and instrument panel with it. The bench seat could accommodate one driver and one passenger. Ventilation and escape route were provided by the fabric sunroof.Often described as the bubble car, the BMW Isetta had a single-cylinder four-stroke 247-cc motorcycle engine. With a meak 12 hp and top speed of 53 mph, it’s no wonder the car never had a 0 to 60 speed rating!
A sitcom-famous ride
The Steve Urkel car did travel a lot quicker in the television show. One episode has Steve Urkel tuning his car to move at supersonic speeds. In reality, the 1960 BMW Isetta 300 was modified, but only slightly, to accommodate the cast members of “Family Matters.”
Other storylines that showcased the car include the time Steve Urkel inherits the Isetta from his uncle and gets driving lessons from his neighbor. Or the time it tumbled down a cliff.
Cheat Sheet
highlights the car’s rarity when it debuted on the show. The Isetta was already a collector’s item, considering it was imported to Chicago 30 years after it was manufactured. The actor who played Steve Urkel, Jameel White, still has the car to this day.The Steve Urkel car goes electric
Micro Mobility Systems, an automaker based in Switzerland, believes the Steve Urkel car may have been ahead of its time.
Ranker
reports the company’s plans for the Microlino, a micro EV based on the BMW Isetta. It was presented at the Geneva International Motor Show, the same event that introduced BMW to the Isetta back in 1954.The 15 kW electric motor can travel up to 75 miles on a single charge. The Microlino has an improved top speed of 62 mph.
Whether the electric Steve Urkel car will make its way stateside or into a television show remains unknown. But rest assured, if your vehicle is at risk of falling off a cliff,
Jerry
can help.The car super app will gather quotes from over 50 top carriers like Nationwide, Allstate, and Travelers. Simply download and answer a few questions. Jerry will find you the best car insurance at the best price, so you can focus on keeping those tires on level ground!
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