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Comment by dbavaria | Hacker News Reader

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dbavaria·

I mean they could use a Fiat 500, or some other modern car...but what would the fun be in that?

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I bet a Fiat 500 is narrower

How's that compare to a 1957 BMW Isetta 300?

We've got one in the local car museum, it gets driven out and about every 18 months or so.

Crackin' fuel efficiency: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isetta

https://youtu.be/ekRoVb0qfAY?t=39

I've seen at least two (or maybe remakes?) on local roads, one of which was driven several times per week.

And costs more to buy and maintain.

A running Ford Model T likely costs absurd amounts of money to maintain because everything about it is likely custom, especially when something breaks.

And the driver is unlikely to survive a crash.

That's true. I'm doubtful anyone has ever done offset crash testing of a Model T. From what it sounds like, this specific vehicle is driven slow for safety of others and possibly safety of occupants do, and likely not to wear and stress this functional relic as much either.

The risk will be a collision from behind, or a collision from the side at a junction.

In every case I'd rather be in the Fiat 500. The only benefit might be the Model T attracting more attention, but some flashing lights and a garish "Road Maintenance" paint scheme could solve that for the Fiat.

The 2021 Fiat 500 sits at 1,683 mm width, a whopping 7 mm wider than the Model T at 1,676 mm: https://www.automobiledimension.com/city-cars.php

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