Ep 16. Micro Cars

In the 16th episode of season 6 of Chasing Classic Cars, the show's host, Wayne Carini, takes on a unique challenge in his quest to find and restore some of the world's most classic cars. This time around, he is on the hunt for the smallest of the classics - the "micro cars."

As the episode begins, viewers are treated to a brief history lesson about micro cars, also known as bubble cars or minicars. These tiny vehicles were a product of the post-World War II boom in Europe, when carmakers sought to create affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles for the masses. Wayne explains that micro cars are not only interesting for their diminutive size but also because they represent a unique engineering challenge, requiring manufacturers to fit a lot of functionality into a very small space.

To get the ball rolling on his micro car quest, Wayne heads to the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, where he meets up with Jeff Lane, the museum's founder and curator. Jeff takes Wayne on a tour of the museum's extensive micro car collection, which includes some of the rarest and most unusual examples of these tiny vehicles from all over the world. Along the way, Wayne and Jeff discuss the unique characteristics and challenges of micro cars, such as their simple but ingenious engineering, their lack of power and speed, and their quirky designs.

After exploring the Lane Motor Museum's collection, Wayne heads out on the road to search for his own micro cars. He visits a number of private collections and garages, where he meets with owners who are passionate about these tiny vehicles. Along the way, he discovers some fascinating examples of micro cars, including a Japanese-made Rikuo, a French-made Velam Isetta, and a rare three-wheeled Messerschmitt KR200.

Of course, Wayne being Wayne, he doesn't just look at these micro cars - he also puts them through their paces. Viewers get to see these tiny vehicles zipping around twisty roads and winding through narrow city streets, as Wayne gives his expert opinion on their handling, performance, and overall charm.

As the episode nears its conclusion, Wayne wraps up his micro car adventure by sharing his thoughts on what makes these vehicles so special. He notes that while they may not be the fastest or most powerful cars on the road, they have a unique charm and personality that sets them apart from anything else. And, he says, restoring and owning a micro car is a labor of love that requires a true appreciation for the art and engineering of these tiny machines.

Overall, Chasing Classic Cars season 6 episode 16 is a fascinating exploration of a little-known corner of the classic car world. Through Wayne's expert eyes, viewers get to see the beauty and wonder of micro cars, and learn about the unique challenges and joys of restoring and owning these tiny marvels of automotive engineering. Whether you're a die-hard classic car fan or simply curious about the world of micro cars, this episode is sure to entertain and educate.