A three wheeled “cabin” scooter manufactured by German aircraft engineers Messerschmitt & Co at factories in Regensburg. (Photo by Hans Enzwieser/BIPs/Getty Images). 1955

A fleet of Messerschmitt micro-cars employed to advertise “Gleem” toothpaste. (Photo by Thurston Hopkins/Getty Images). UK, 1956

A perspective buyer at the wheel of a Messerschmitt Cabin Scooter near Regent's Park, London. The little car has the fuel consumption of a motor-cycle. (Photo by Derek Berwin/Getty Images). 1956

A German-made two-seater, three-wheeler car called the “Messerschmitt” or “Kabinenroller” parked on a London street. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 1955

Shillan's miniature Rytecraft car being loaded onto a plane at Croydon Airport, London, for transport to Paris. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). December 1934

Mr Shillan driving his Rytecraft scoota-car. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). June 1934

A lorry driver talking to the driver of a midget car in Cardiff. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). February 1935

The “Whitwood”, a two wheeled motor car built to meet the demands of modern traffic. 7ft 8ins long and 2ft 3ins high, it has reached a speed of 94mph during trials. (Photo by William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images). 10th December 1934

The length of an adult male, Jean Reville's midget car, “the gnat” (claimed to be the world's smallest racing car) being given an overhaul by a mechanic in preparation for a Jubilee meeting being held at White City, London. (Photo by R. Wesley/Fox Photos/Getty Images). 16th April 1935

Learning about road safety, twelve year olds Shirley Newton and Bryan Arup are advised by a policeman as they drive a model car at a road safety exhibition organised by Hackney council. (Photo by George W. Hales/Fox Photos/Getty Images). 22nd May 1948

Midget car speedway champion of Great Britain Jean Reville breaks the four lap record at Lea Bridge speedway in his midget car “Palmer's Special”. The tiny car is 5 feet long and 3 ft 6 inches wide and it runs on a 9 horsepower engine. (Photo by Harry Todd/Fox Photos/Getty Images). 10th April 1935

A tiny Rytecraft van, Britain's smallest, travelling along Deansgate in Manchester. The vehicle is powered by a 2 1/2 hp engine, travels 80 miles on a gallon of petrol, carries nearly 600 pounds and has a top speed of 50 mph. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 17th February 1937

A three-wheeled car passes a sign where the London North Orbital road will be constructed at West Hyde Lodge near Rickmansworth. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 22nd February 1935

A woman driving the new solution to the problem of wartime petrol rationing, the midget car. This tiny vehicle can cover eighty miles on a gallon of petrol and achieves speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. (Photo by Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Getty Images). 26th October 1939

A London policeman stops the traffic, including a pedal driven model bus. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 22nd August 1946

Two drivers in one horsepower cars at a filling station near Barnet, one having her tank filled and the other talking to an RAC motorcyclist. The cars, designed by J W Shillam, are fully licensed for the road and retail at £70. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 4th August 1934

Sir K.S. Digvijaysinhji (1895–1966), the Maharajah of Nawanagar, with his daughter Princess Harshad Kunverba in a Rytecraft Special midget car on the Maharajah's estate near Dorking, Surrey, 22nd June 1937. The Maharajah has bought the car for his daughter for use on the estate when she is out with her nurse. (Photo by Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Two women sit in a newly-designed 2 1/2 hp Scoota car, made by the British Motor-Boat Manufacturing Company, at demonstrations at Britannia House. The little car, which can carry two people at speeds up to 45mph, is dwarfed by an ordinary-sized vehicle. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 2nd April 1936

A young boy trying out a toy MG Midget car at the famous toy shop Hamleys, on Regent Street, London. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 18th November 1934

Members of the public midget motor racing in 7ft Bantam racing cars known as “buzz-boxes”. Introduced by Southampton Speedway promoter Charles Knott, the Bantams are powered by a 190cc Villiers engine, and capable of speeds up to 45 mph. (Photo by Harry Kerr/BIPs/Getty Images). 1955

Manager of Ford research Laurence Martland in an electric “Comuta” which is designed to carry two adults and two children. (Photo by Mike McLaren/Central Press/Getty Images). 7th June 1967

A couple kissing in an MG Midget sports car. (Photo by Cleland Rimmer/Evening Standard/Getty Images). Circa 1970

Actor Rowan Atkinson turns up in character for the UK Premiere of his movie “Mr Bean's Holiday” at the Odeon, Leicester Square on March 25, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images)