TORONTO, December 16, 2025 — Some very rare and extremely small collectible vehicles will be prominently on display at the Canadian International AutoShow taking place from February 13th to 22nd at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Due to their rarity, many showgoers may never have heard of this unique type of vehicle, known as a Micro Car.
Micro cars, built largely between 1945 and 1970, were ultra-compact vehicles defined by tiny engines (usually under 700 cc), lightweight construction, short overall length, and often quirky features such as three wheels, one- or two-cylinder two-stroke motors, chain-drive systems, and unconventional doors like the BMW Isetta’s famous front-entry single door.
Born out of post-war necessity for basic transportation, companies such as Messerschmitt, BMW, Heinkel, and Zündapp shifted from wartime production to small personal vehicles as Europe rebuilt and mobility demand grew. With fuel rationing, limited resources, narrow streets, and scarce private parking, small, efficient, and affordable cars quickly became highly desirable in post-war Europe.
Models like the Autobianchi, Berkeley, BMW Isetta, Fiat 500, Daihatsu Midget, Heinkel Kabine, Vespa 400, Subaru 360, Bond Bug, Citroën 2CV, Peel P50, Honda Z600, Messerschmitt, and Goggomobil defined the micro car boom of the 1950s and ’60s. While they remained popular in Europe for years, these small cars rapidly faded from the North American market as tastes shifted toward larger vehicles and the emerging muscle-car era.
“About 20 years ago, my wife and I attended the Motor Muster in Greenfield Village, where we fell in love with an American Austin. Within a year, I had tracked down a 1932 Roadster, and thus our micro car collection began. That first small Austin opened the door to a world we never knew existed: Isettas, Messerschmitts, King Midgets, Bonds, and more,” said Kenn Poore.
“Each year, our AutoShow feature presentations allow us to share the enthusiasm of dedicated collectors like Kenn and Donna Poore with our showgoers. It is a rare opportunity to see cars that are very uncommon on our roads. We are grateful that Kenn and Donna’s collection is part of our show this year,” said Jason Campbell, General Manager of the AutoShow.
This year’s display at the AutoShow features eight of these microcars from the collection of Kenn and Donna Poore of Sarnia, Ontario.
1962 NSU Sport Prinz
The NSU Sport Prinz is a compact German sports coupe designed by famed Bertone stylist Franco Scaglione and produced from 1958 to 1967. Powered by a rear-mounted, air-cooled 598cc two-cylinder engine generating approximately 40 horsepower, the Sport Prinz could reach speeds of up to 160 km/h (99 mph). Its distinctive styling and rear-engine layout made it influential, serving as the basis for the NSU Spider — the world’s first production car with a Wankel rotary engine.
Measuring just over 3.6 meters (12 ft) long and weighing roughly 544 kg (1,200 lbs), this particular example remained with its previous owner for 60 years. The NSU brand was later acquired by Volkswagen and merged with Audi in 1969.
1960 Berkeley B105
Berkeley Cars of Biggleswade, England, produced lightweight fiberglass vehicles for only four years, from 1956 to 1960. The B105, shown here, was the company’s final and most powerful model, with only about 78 ever built before bankruptcy ended production. The model took its name from its claimed 169 km/h (105 mph) top speed and was originally powered by a 692cc Royal Enfield twin motorcycle engine producing 50 horsepower.
At just 3 meters (10 ft 2 in) long and 400 kg (886 lbs), this B105 was sold new in London, Ontario. It was re-powered years ago with a Kawasaki 750 Ninja engine, more than doubling the original output.
1958 BMW Isetta
Produced from 1955 to 1962, the BMW Isetta is one of the most recognizable micro cars ever built. Known for its bubble-car profile and unique single front-hinged door — with the steering wheel and gauges swinging out as the door opens — the Isetta was BMW’s licensed redevelopment of the original Italian Iso design. BMW’s version featured a single-cylinder, 298cc four-stroke engine producing 13 horsepower and capable of about 85 km/h (53 mph).
To meet UK tax rules, some Isettas were built with three wheels; elsewhere, four-wheel versions were sold, with the rear wheels mounted closely together. Measuring just 2.3 meters (7 ft 5 in) long and weighing 353 kg (778 lbs), the Isetta became a critical success for BMW during the post-war era. Approximately 3,500 were imported to Canada, and BMW produced 160,000 units in total.
1958 Vespa 400
Best known for its scooters, Vespa briefly ventured into automobile production with the Vespa 400, built from 1957 to 1961 by ACMA in France under license from Piaggio. The two-seat micro car featured a rear-mounted 393cc two-stroke twin producing 14 horsepower, a three-speed manual transmission, and a top speed of around 85 km/h (52 mph). Notable design elements included suicide doors and a roll-top roof.
Measuring 3 meters (9 ft 10 in) long and weighing 344 kg (790 lbs), 12,000 examples were built in 1958 alone. According to industry lore, Fiat’s president reportedly warned Vespa that if it continued producing cars, Fiat would begin manufacturing scooters — and Vespa ended its car program soon after.
1962 Goggomobil TS300 Coupe
The Goggomobil TS300 Coupe was designed and built by Hans Glas at the company’s Dingolfing, Germany, plant, where production ran from 1955 to 1969. Other body styles included a sedan and a van, the latter now extremely rare. BMW acquired Glas in 1966 and continues to manufacture vehicles at the same Dingolfing facility today.
Powered by a 298cc air-cooled two-stroke twin producing 14.7 horsepower, the TS300 reached a top speed of about 85 km/h (53 mph). Though it features a decorative front grille, the car is rear-engined. At just under 3 meters (10 ft) long, 1.3 meters (4 ft 4 in) wide, and weighing roughly 415 kg (915 lbs), fewer than 40 are believed to remain in North America. This example was discovered in Ohio and imported to Canada by its current owners in 2018.
1957 Messerschmitt KR 200
Messerschmitt, best known as an aircraft manufacturer, re-tooled after WWII to build sewing machines, then three-wheeled cars. Following the KR175, the KR200 debuted in 1955. “KR” stands for *Kabinen-Roller*, or “cabin scooter.”
This 230 kg (507 lbs) micro car features tandem seating and a 191cc Sachs & Fichtel single-cylinder two-stroke engine producing 7½ horsepower, capable of 100 km/h (62 mph). Measuring 2.9 meters (9 ft 6 in) long, this example remains almost entirely original, with only a repaint in its original color scheme in 1998. Fewer than a dozen Messerschmitts are registered in Canada. Famous owners included Cousin Itt from *The Addams Family* and Elvis Presley.
1969 Subaru 360 “Sambar” Van
Built by Fuji Heavy Industries of Japan, the Subaru 360 “Sambar” Van was first imported to North America by Malcolm Bricklin in 1969–1970. Originally all white, very few running examples remain.
This rear-engine van features a 2-cylinder, 2-stroke 360cc air-cooled engine producing 25 horsepower, reaching 96 km/h (60 mph). Measuring 3 meters (10 ft) long and weighing 469 kg (1,035 lbs), it shares its engine with the Subaru 360 sedan but has a unique transmission. This example was located in Miami and imported to Canada by its current owners in 2018.
1956 New Map Solyto Break Camping
French motorcycle manufacturer New Map produced about 4,000 three-wheeled utility vehicles in the mid-1950s to compete with the Vespa Ape and Citroën Fourgonnette. The “Break Camping” model, designed for weekend camping, features front seats that pop out as camp chairs, leaving space inside for two sleeping bags.
Powered by a pull start (from inside the car) single-cylinder, 2-stroke engine producing 4.5 horsepower, the motor sits atop the front wheel and starts via a dashboard pull-handle. Measuring just 2.4 meters (8 ft) long and weighing 150 kg (330 lbs), only a handful survive in North America.
The Micro Car display can be found on Level 100 in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre – North Building.
Tickets are on sale now, with the 2026 AutoShow, taking place from February 13th to 22nd at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
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